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The Amy Dilemma

07 Jun 2014 14:31 #36759 by circes_cup
The Amy Dilemma was created by circes_cup
After completing DDI, despite my best intentions, I kept writing. Over the next week, I will be posting a new story in five chapters.

This new story is in fact a continuation of "Joe's Dilemma" by Dru-- a fun, clever short he published back in the fall. I found Dru's story to be thought-provoking: it raised some interesting themes about both parenthood and civic responsibility. I used it as a foundation on which to experiment with a tale that was more character-driven than DDI. I also experimented with telling this story entirely from the perspective of the men, as is done in Kiraling (although while Kiraling uses first person, mine uses third person).

Dru and I have decided to name the entire series "The Amy Dilemma". And for consistency, Dru has agreed to retitle his original piece from "Joe's Dilemma" to "The Amy Dilemma - Chapter 1".

I'm telling you about these upcoming stories ahead of time for two reasons. First, in the spirit of "ticker coordination", know that I plan to publish this in five daily installments beginning on Wed 6/11 and ending Sun 6/15. For those of you who plan to publish something in the next two weeks and want some significant time on the ticker, please take note of this. If you would like me to reconsider my timing, please send me a PM and we will figure it out.

Secondly, if you are a follower of Dru's writing or mine, I encourage you to re-read Dru's piece before my follow-on pieces are published. Again, I found it to be fun, clever, and even a bit thought-provoking! It is available here: www.superwomenmania.com/index.php?option...s-dilemma&Itemid=372

Again, please give a re-read to Dru's very worthy piece. More to follow on Wednesday!

Circes
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07 Jun 2014 17:34 #36762 by SHTL
Replied by SHTL on topic The Amy Dilemma
can't wait..and wellcome back
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07 Jun 2014 22:33 #36770 by ong76win2
Replied by ong76win2 on topic The Amy Dilemma

circes_cup wrote: After completing DDI, despite my best intentions, I kept writing. Over the next week, I will be posting a new story in five chapters.

This new story is in fact a continuation of "Joe's Dilemma" by Dru-- a fun, clever short he published back in the fall. I found Dru's story to be thought-provoking: it raised some interesting themes about both parenthood and civic responsibility. I used it as a foundation on which to experiment with a tale that was more character-driven than DDI. I also experimented with telling this story entirely from the perspective of the men, as is done in Kiraling (although while Kiraling uses first person, mine uses third person).

Dru and I have decided to name the entire series "The Amy Dilemma". And for consistency, Dru has agreed to retitle his original piece from "Joe's Dilemma" to "The Amy Dilemma - Chapter 1".

I'm telling you about these upcoming stories ahead of time for two reasons. First, in the spirit of "ticker coordination", know that I plan to publish this in five daily installments beginning on Wed 6/11 and ending Sun 6/15. For those of you who plan to publish something in the next two weeks and want some significant time on the ticker, please take note of this. If you would like me to reconsider my timing, please send me a PM and we will figure it out.

Secondly, if you are a follower of Dru's writing or mine, I encourage you to re-read Dru's piece before my follow-on pieces are published. Again, I found it to be fun, clever, and even a bit thought-provoking! It is available here: www.superwomenmania.com/index.php?option...s-dilemma&Itemid=372

Again, please give a re-read to Dru's very worthy piece. More to follow on Wednesday!

Circes


Be waiting for it Circes and welcome back!
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10 Jun 2014 21:34 #36805 by circes_cup
Replied by circes_cup on topic The Amy Dilemma
Ch. 2 has been uploaded. The story is also expanding by a chapter: there will now be seven chapters in all: Dru's Ch1. and then six of mine.

I could have spent some more time refining this, but I ultimately decided to go ahead and, well.... uh.... pull the trigger.

Hope you enjoy.
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14 Jun 2014 18:26 - 14 Jun 2014 20:02 #36821 by circes_cup
Replied by circes_cup on topic The Amy Dilemma
Thank you to ong76win2, castor, lowes48, SHTL, Martino, and jnw550 for posting some very nice comments so far.

Thank you also to DRU for laying the foundation for this writing project in his Chapter 1. It's a fun read and should definitely get a look before you read any of mine.

If you like what you're reading, please say something. As Dru pointed out only days ago, us authors are not ominicient. But we do find positive commentary-- when it's honest-- to be very motivational.

Chapter 5 was uploaded about 10 hours ago. It will post when somebody gets to it.

Chapters 6-7 may have a to come in a single clump. I want to get the entire story fully posted by the end of the weekend, as I originally promised.
Last edit: 14 Jun 2014 20:02 by circes_cup.
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14 Jun 2014 19:36 #36822 by SHTL
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hope adms soon will post it ..
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14 Jun 2014 23:37 #36823 by lfan
Replied by lfan on topic The Amy Dilemma
Just got home.....posted now. Such a great story thus far.....well done, Circes!

ElF
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15 Jun 2014 07:07 #36825 by Caylane
Replied by Caylane on topic The Amy Dilemma
Really loving it! Your character development is one of the best I've seen!
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15 Jun 2014 08:30 #36826 by sg2ww
Replied by sg2ww on topic The Amy Dilemma
This is developing very nicely. ;)
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15 Jun 2014 19:28 #36829 by circes_cup
Replied by circes_cup on topic The Amy Dilemma
Thank you to Lastleaf, ong76win2, sg2ww, Caylane and Lfan for your comments in the last 24 hours!

I've uploaded Chapters 6 and 7, which I imagine will post shortly. These Chapters conclude the series.

Hope you enjoy.
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15 Jun 2014 20:09 #36830 by fats
Replied by fats on topic The Amy Dilemma
Last two parts are now published.

Fats
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16 Jun 2014 05:55 - 16 Jun 2014 15:42 #36837 by castor
Replied by castor on topic The Amy Dilemma
Overall first impression.

This felt much more of a peice then deep down inside-felt more like a single novella in seven parts-which is a good thing, a begging middle and twists you fit in a kind of action plot to it, which worked well enough for what it was trying. more then a lot of the stories on the site, it felt like a story you could have put into a movie and it been a film.

And in genre that the relationship between teenage daughters and fathers can be ....complex is a word that one can be used(ichy is another), i liked how you handled it. It reminded me of the recent movie Drive Angry 3D which wasn't the greatest movie in the world, but did a good job of the relationship between Nic Cage and Amber Heard, which acknowledged that in most movies that they would be love interests, but there its a father daughter relationship without either character being celibate. Joes Dillemia was about a father daughters bond. Amys is about a very different one I am not sure the connection between them is better in reflection.

Something to be proud of. I know you say that you want to take time off from writing which is understandable. Deep Down Inside was a monster. but if you can write tight little stories like this, you have something really wonderful. The stuff you do well few better in this genre can do.

castor
Last edit: 16 Jun 2014 15:42 by castor.
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16 Jun 2014 12:19 #36839 by fats
Replied by fats on topic The Amy Dilemma
I have to say that i have enjoyed the series, it had no downsides to it.

Fats
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17 Jun 2014 01:53 #36844 by Jabbrwock
Replied by Jabbrwock on topic The Amy Dilemma
This was a really good read. I'm always glad to read a story about a supergirl wrestling with the temptations and responsibilities that come with her powers, and you seem to write that kind of thing really well. The developing father/daughter relationship between Amy and Dave was really endearing. Amy is a fundamentally good girl, it seems, and Dave, for all his failings, seems to be an awfully good father for how little experience he has. It was at once sweet and terrifying.
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17 Jun 2014 03:57 #36847 by Dru1076
Replied by Dru1076 on topic The Amy Dilemma
When Circes wrote and asked if he could expand on Joe's Dilemma I was expecting another chapter, maybe two. Imagine my surprise when I found out what he really had in mind! Thank you Circes, for turning Joe into something so special.
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17 Jun 2014 13:23 #36850 by kshoo
Replied by kshoo on topic The Amy Dilemma
Well written, enjoyed it thoroughly! It was definitely a refreshing take with the superheroine theme. Most importantly, it had lots of Heart. I think that's the difference between a good story and a great one.
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17 Jun 2014 19:36 #36851 by hdmk
Replied by hdmk on topic The Amy Dilemma
I don't post on here much, but I thought I should given the quality of this story. Really well written, with great descriptions, good characters and a great relationship between "father" and "daughter". Great writing, thanks for taking the time to produce it!
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18 Jun 2014 22:41 #36861 by Sarge395
Replied by Sarge395 on topic The Amy Dilemma
Read 6 and a 1/2 chapters and have nothing but praise. The buildup, the relationship, the superiority, the teen angst at times, and THE destruction!

Very well done. Only thing to add maybe would be some manips of the action.
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19 Jun 2014 22:43 #36870 by rueda09
Replied by rueda09 on topic The Amy Dilemma
Guys, thanks for this great story. That's what I'm looking for when I want to read a good "super strong girl" story! She's only 15 and this strong, among all other great powers! Simply WOW. Do you plan to write more than 7 chapter? Hope so.

I have some question though, about Amy physique. Can you give us some details about her (here it's ok, unless you plan to write about her on future chapters)? Height, weight, size of her arms, legs maybe (flex, non flex), etc. I dream of a chapter where some scientist take this kind of measure on her...

I think you guys should send your story for drawing, it would be so nice to have this in a comic format...
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19 Jun 2014 23:30 #36872 by circes_cup
Replied by circes_cup on topic The Amy Dilemma

rueda09 wrote: Guys, thanks for this great story.

You're welcome!

rueda09 wrote: Do you plan to write more than 7 chapter?

No, for the foreseeable future, this is as far as I plan to take it. Who knows, someday I might go back to it. But there are some other story lines with which I wanted to experiment first.

rueda09 wrote: I have some question though, about Amy physique. Can you give us some details about her (here it's ok, unless you plan to write about her on future chapters)? Height, weight, size of her arms, legs maybe (flex, non flex), etc.

I purposely left much of that to the reader's imagination.

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19 Jun 2014 23:39 - 19 Jun 2014 23:41 #36874 by circes_cup
Replied by circes_cup on topic The Amy Dilemma
Thank you to each and every one of you that took time to make a supportive comment on the story. As I mentioned earlier, it's very motivational to get your notes!

For those of you who like scavenger hunts (and are up for reading or re-reading the story), here's a little challenge: Amy Dilemma contains hidden allusions to two other SWM stories, written by authors other than me. So far, nobody has pointed out these connections. I suspect this is because the connections are either A. obvious or B. as yet undiscovered. So, going with B for a moment, the first person who identifies the two stories referenced in Amy Dilemma gets.....

... well, nothing. Or maybe you get bragging rights for your level of SWM literacy. Anyways, happy hunting.
Last edit: 19 Jun 2014 23:41 by circes_cup.
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20 Jun 2014 22:37 #36886 by The Highlander
Replied by The Highlander on topic The Amy Dilemma
I was rather worried when I heard you were starting work on this story, given the setup and the style of most of Dru's stories I was expecting little more than brutal destruction. However I have been pleasantly surprised and extremely impressed with the result.

Both Amy and Dave are extremely interesting and very 'human' characters who are very believable. They are both good people have been thrown together into a situation far beyond their experience, and are just trying to do the best they can. You don't see at lot of father/daughter relationships in superwoman stories, and most of them tend to be very unpleasant. However this story was a refreshing example of a loving and responsible relationship. I particularly loved how the story kept jumping from superhuman displays of power to ordinary teenage problems, emphasising that for all her abilities Amy is still just a 15 year old girl. Her final conversation with Dave was beautifully done, and showed how important love and support is to even the strongest person.

I have got some constructive criticism to add as well, mainly thing I'd have liked to see. I think it is a bit of a shame that neither Joe nor West appear after the first chapter, in particular it would be good to see how Amy reacts to seeing her father again. Having her point out that Dave has done more for her in a few weeks than Joe did in 15 years, and that while she could kill him effortlessly he is now so far beneath her as to be irreverent would be a fitting punishment. I'm also slightly surprised that the government didn't seem to make much of an effort to control Amy, Dave did mention it a little in chapter 3 but nothing after that. It might have been good to at least state that Amy had forced the authorities to let her stay with Dave. I would also have liked to hear a little more about the New Utopia, what least what some of their objectives are for example. Finally, it would have liked to see Amy going all out at least once, even during the battle to protect the president she only used a faction of her total power. I would have loved to see her decide to try lifting one of these navy destroyers for example. But I suppose the great thing about how this story ended is that there's plenty of scope for sequels, spin off and fan fiction.
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22 Jun 2014 00:42 - 22 Jun 2014 00:43 #36930 by circes_cup
Replied by circes_cup on topic The Amy Dilemma

The Highlander wrote: I was rather worried when I heard you were starting work on this story, given the setup and the style of most of Dru's stories I was expecting little more than brutal destruction.

Note the Dru's Oh No Sally often steers clear of the wanton destruction stuff and is a fun read.

The Highlander wrote: ... I have been pleasantly surprised and extremely impressed with the result.

Thank you very much! It means a great deal not only to get the positive comment, but to know why you liked it. Thanks again.

The Highlander wrote: I have got some constructive criticism ... neither Joe nor West appear after the first chapter, in particular it would be good to see how Amy reacts to seeing her father again ... the government didn't seem to make much of an effort to control Amy ... would also have liked to hear a little more about the New Utopia ... would have liked to see Amy going all out at least once.

All of these would have been worthy angles to explore. If I only had more time! Who knows, if I get enough requests for it, I might someday try my hand at a sequel.
Last edit: 22 Jun 2014 00:43 by circes_cup.
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22 Jun 2014 10:22 #36934 by ong76win2
Replied by ong76win2 on topic The Amy Dilemma
"All of these would have been worthy angles to explore. If I only had more time! Who knows, if I get enough requests for it, I might someday try my hand at a sequel. " - circes_cup

I do hope you make a sequel out of this. This series is already a great series. How would a sequel be? It would lead to more greater series. If you are planning a sequel, I say GO FOR IT. :-)
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22 Jun 2014 18:42 #36937 by lojack
Replied by lojack on topic The Amy Dilemma
What made the story was the whole father/daughter dynamic (with a twist). I like the fact that he keeps her grounded, or tries to as best as he can, and she does learn from him. You have no lack of options for expansion- she still has HS to go through and graduate, he has a business to start up, and what is the relationship between the girls and the power (and Amy).
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