BronxWench's Review Replies - Original Fiction

[Sinfulwolf]

Oh, thank you for sharing. But yeah, I get what a review can mean. I was wondering what happened to all yer stuff. I was told you had much. And I wanna see more of that setting.

Also yes. More Arenin stuff. That was so utterly… alien to read.

[BronxWench]

3 minutes ago, Sinfulwolf said:

Oh, thank you for sharing. But yeah, I get what a review can mean. I was wondering what happened to all yer stuff. I was told you had much. And I wanna see more of that setting.

Also yes. More Arenin stuff. That was so utterly… alien to read.

Yes, there was a mishap involving all my stories going “poof.” It’s a teensy bit frustrating, but also an opportunity, so I’m going to look at it as a good thing. 

I might tease out some snippets from the big draft, things that weren’t going to make it into the final cut. I always put in to much, and decide it’s all hopeless exposition, so there’s lots to prune away that could stand alone, if I do it right.

[Sinfulwolf]

15 minutes ago, BronxWench said:

Yes, there was a mishap involving all my stories going “poof.” It’s a teensy bit frustrating, but also an opportunity, so I’m going to look at it as a good thing. 

I might tease out some snippets from the big draft, things that weren’t going to make it into the final cut. I always put in to much, and decide it’s all hopeless exposition, so there’s lots to prune away that could stand alone, if I do it right.

Well now I have something to look forward to in the future!

[BronxWench]

For Punch Line:

From JayDee on September 09, 2018
 

"I'm pretty sure that the classical definition of heroism doesn't include..." Hercules is still pissed he didn't get labors like that one.

This was pretty upbeat considering the setting of the second half! This was one of those stories where you know it's a one off prompt and that's it and you still want to read more with them. Lamias don't get enough starring roles. Good prompt fic!

Thank you! Honestly, I like lamias. They’re truly underrepresented among the things that go bump in the night, and far more fun than vampires.  I do feel for the Poor Bastard, though. I really do. Only two more deaths to go, and maybe he’ll get his Elysium, preferably without his ex.

[BronxWench]

For Hunting Elysium:

From JayDee on September 09, 2018
 

...so I read the other one first, scrolled down, and saw there was more to read. I was never the brightest!

I took the other part as a one off prompt slice where you had to guess at what happens, then I actually got to read it. Much better than my guessing " Apparently, having a lamia stalking the streets of New York was bad form." Honestly, I saw worse out there. The little sex scene here was just as enjoyable as in the other part too.

Ok, still wanting more of the characters... if I scroll down again what'll I see?

 Honestly, I should have made a note in the summary of Punch Line. But be that as it may, yes, this is where it all started for the Poor Bastard. That’s how I think of him, because he’s a cat’s paw in the games the gods play. Nasty, nasty games, with only the odd lamia to break the monotony… Thank you, for reading and for reviewing, and one of these days, I’ll get around to sharing his next death.

[BronxWench]

For Indigo:

From pittwitch on September 09, 2018
 

Oh Bronx, how in the world did I miss this gem originally?  EXQUISITE!  You are truly gifted with words.  Setting such a sad yet touching tale in a short space, with someone else's prompts.  Amazing!

Thank you, so much!  I suppose authors, like parents, try not to have favorites, but this is one of the stories I’ve always really been proud of writing.  The prompts were just inspired—thank you, Melrick!--and this just wrote itself. But really, coming from you, I’m very flattered and delighted that you liked this little story!

[JayDee]

It’s not too late to put a note in the summary :p

If you ever do get around to the next death I’ll read that, too!

[BronxWench]

  I did add a note to the summary, so I don’t confuse any more readers. But thank you, and I will eventually get around to the next death. Poor Bastard… 

[BronxWench]

For Indigo:

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From JayDee on November 12, 2018
 

I saw the title and wondered if it had been written for the weekly prompt that included Indigo, but not linked in the thread for some reason. Clicking it showed it to be a monthly prompt using the same word (and others!) and all became clear. Ahh AFF, where even the rains come. (Some say my puerile immaturity is actually one of my better points).

I wrote the above before I read the story, and damn this is sad. It makes the above seem even more inappropriate, but I’ve always been honest about being a bit broken.

Whatever it is she’s got, it feels to me like dealing with a kind of early dementia and the man’s sadness and her ‘fading’ come across very real. You’ve put them in a lovely setting, there away from it all, but with real sadness at the heart.

Putting the genuinely arousing sexual encounter in there as well, it’s like getting back to base instincts for her, but also the man’s need for that old intimacy and connection. S’how it seemed to me anyways, I wonder if I miss deeper meaning?

I liked this, and I don’t regret reading it, but I’m also going to be feeling sad about it for a day or so. An emotional connection is a good thing, right? I don’t know. It’s got the feels.

 

 

 

First of all, thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This has always been a favorite of mine, maybe because it does tug a bit at one’s feelings. I was deliberately vague about what precisely was wrong with her, although the consensus seems to be dementia, and I won’t say it’s not. And you did actually catch the paradox of their lovemaking—for him it’s most definitely a bid to recapture their old intimacy, while she is merely trying to cling to what she remembers of their past.

I won’t apologize for the feels, however. It means I did my job as a writer, because I was able to coax forth that reaction, and I’m pleased I pulled it off. But thank you, again, for the read and the review.  

[JayDee]

Honestly, I wasn’t hoping for an apology. I’m really glad I read it and I like experiencing emotions!

/* (I swear, I am not just a poorly programmed AI.)

(Honest!) */

Edited November 13, 2018 by JayDee

[Sinfulwolf]

On 9/9/2018 at 9:28 PM, BronxWench said:

Thank you! Honestly, I like lamias. They’re truly underrepresented among the things that go bump in the night, and far more fun than vampires. 

Well… now I kinda wanna bring out the Lamia’s I made and then shuffled off to the side.

[BronxWench]

2 hours ago, Sinfulwolf said:

Well… now I kinda wanna bring out the Lamia’s I made and then shuffled off to the side.

Do it! Do it!

[Sinfulwolf]

On 11/15/2018 at 3:21 PM, BronxWench said:

Do it! Do it!

Mayhaps I will… just in what capacity… eh, I’ll figure it out.

[BronxWench]

For The Scapegoat

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From InvidiaRed on December 10, 2018
 

Ah. Young love.

A king always needs.

 

 

And the rest of the Court is no less needy…  Thank you!

 

[BronxWench]

For The Scapegoat:

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From ANON - on December 17, 2018
 

Delightful!  Your descriptions are so visceral!

 

 

Many thanks! This is a wonderful compliment, and I’m so pleased you liked my little story.

 

[pittwitch]

14 hours ago, BronxWench said:

For The Scapegoat:

 

Many thanks! This is a wonderful compliment, and I’m so pleased you liked my little story.

 

I could have sworn I was logged in, goshdarnitanyway.  Totally enjoyed your little story,
 

 

[BronxWench]

24 minutes ago, pittwitch said:

I could have sworn I was logged in, goshdarnitanyway.  Totally enjoyed your little story,
 

 

Oh, love, that’s fine! I left a review the other day in my “work” name and had to delete it and repost it as me.  

[BronxWench]

First of all, I should start by saying I never intended to have quite so long a dry spell, but…  It may honestly have been a good thing to have to repost work, because I’m getting a chance to look at it with a fresh eye, and hopefully make it better. And now to business!

For Masking Intentions:

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From GrimReaper on April 09, 2020
 

And this is fantastic. I remember reading this a while back and seeing it up again and edited like this is great to see. I love the masks and the mystique you've built around the idea behind them, very intriguing. Definitely looking forward to more.

 

Thank you! This is one of my favorite worlds, of all the places that live in my head. I’m cleaning it up and tweaking, and that will hopefully put some energy into the remainder of the story. I’ve really wanted to tell Kdis’ story, and I’m excited to be working on it again.

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From InvidiaRed on April 09, 2020
 

Holy Canoli ...

On second thought. Hold the Holy.

It finally updated

 

 Yes, yes, I know. I’ve been a bad author and neglected this one terribly but I hope the edits make it stronger and a better read. I’m telling myself that, anyway. And thank you! Keep poking me! 

 

[BronxWench]

For The Sídhe’s Apprentice:

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From InvidiaRed on September 25, 2020
 

<3

Delightful, Its alittle heartbreaking that its only a short rather than a opening chapter to some doubtlessly amazing book.

 

Thank you! I have a lifelong fascination with the Sídhe, being mostly of Irish ancestry, and it’s always fun to lay in their world. I will confess, since this was a story that was published, it benefited from the attention of an excellent editor, who always makes me sound far more accomplished than I really am. But I’m always happy to entertain!  

 

[BronxWench]

From InvidiaRed on November 01, 2025

Leaffall, Ah BronxWench its always a pleasure.

 

“Don’t make idle wishes, not at Leaffall. It’s not only the gods who are listening.”

 

Gave me chills. What a wonderful addition. The town did have it coming for awhile now.

 

Thank you!

It seems to hold true across all worlds...when the veil is thin, be mindful of what you invoke. And it was fun to actually write something again! Let’s see if I can make it to the Winter Holiday story too!

[BronxWench]

From InBrightestDay on November 21, 2025
Leaffall
I've read several of your "Land" stories, and it is interesting to ponder if this takes place in the same setting.  I didn't quite get that vibe, in spite of the heavy emphasis on dealings with fae, but I could be wrong.  It does do a really nice job of suggesting a wider world and history outside the story, but not going so far that you feel like there was another chapter you were supposed to read
I also loved the way things are established here, piece by piece.  It kept me asking questions, and the answers were a really cool slow reveal.  At first, I was extremely alarmed by the "youth" being dragged in attached to a rope, thinking "Uh-oh, is Darri a slave trader or something?"  Which rapidly led to greater concern when Angaine turned out to be chained to her workstation, which led eventually to the reveal that Angaine isn't his slave, and in fact Darri is the only human who's nice to her.
I also found myself curious about the "sky ore" concept.  My first thought was that it was a reference to iron harvested from iron meteorites, but the references to it throughout the story seem to indicate it's pretty common, and in the first mention Angaine describes her captors having mixed iron with the sky ore, so maybe it's actually something else.
Aside from the story taking place on a sort of equivalent holiday (a fall festival), the story also has an appropriately dark tone.  I remember that the exact moment the Cailleach Mhara offered Darri a "trade"...
“Oh, I think we can find something,” the ancient fae said. She smiled, and it was the same shark’s grin as the fae youth had. “You’ll barely even miss it, I think.”
"...Your SOOOOOOUUUUUL!!!"
Except, uh, actually yes, that is what it is.  If there is one lesson to be taken from this story, it's that if a fantasy creature offers to trade you for something, and says you won't miss it, they mean your soul.
For the record, it was either going to be that joke or bursting into "Poor Unfortunate Souls".  It was a coinflip really.
Joking aside, the dark tone carries through, and the story ultimately plays out as a somewhat different version of the tragedy I'd anticipated.  As soon as the trade was mentioned, I figured Darri would sacrifice his soul for Angaine, and then something bad would happen to her.  I'd assumed it would have something to do with him losing all of the things that made her think relatively fondly of him, and that might have happened given enough time, but instead she's killed after getting well away from the town, since the sea fae's response to Darri being taken to be sacrificed was the magical equivalent of a strategic nuke, and she was clear of the village, but not clear enough.  His choice still results in her death, just in a somewhat more indirect manner.  Still, while the sea fae didn't exactly ingratiate themselves to the reader, no one deserves to die out from slow poisoning, and at least Darri's sacrifice ensured that an entire species wasn't about to die out.
All in all, a suitably grim, moody piece for the creepiest season of the year, and one that showcases your talents for really engaging the reader!

 

First of all, wow! Thank you!  

Leaffall is set in a quasi-Celtic ‘verse, only because I have a serious fae problem, and I’m embracing that. Fae, elves, whatever, bring ‘em on! I decided against using more traditional Irish lore because I’m pretty sure I’ll wind up on some list somewhere if I keep abusing the Irish, and I want to be able to go back to Dublin…  

It’s a Halloween story so someone had to die, and I didn’t want it to be overly obvious who was going to be the victim. I’m glad that part worked! And while Angaine was a relatively non-villainous character, there’s no hard and fast rule in life that being mostly decent will save you. Not that Wavesinger was particularly awful, either. If I had to pick a villain, it would most likely be the Cailleach Mhara, who knew what she was doing to Darri, and did it anyway. While she did promise him sanctuary among the sea fae, she made it clear he’d always be an outsider among fae and human alike.

Sky ore was just me playing around with the notion of something other than the usual “fae can’t tolerate cold iron” trope. That, and my Elderspawn had been discussing the way Vikings learned to forge iron into carbonized steel using bones during the forging process, along with the technique of pattern welding to blend iron and steel. (The things that stick in my brain are legion.)

In any event, I’m glad I was able to entertain you! After all, that’s why we all write!