Over the next couple of days, I'll be making some changes to Dark Goddess,. The changes themselves will be relatively minor, but when I'm finished, it will be an Edward/Bella story. The original version will be on The Writer's Coffee Shop.
When I first began this story, I talked it over with my banner maker, the lovely SoapyMayhem. The story was one I've played with in my mind for a few years, changing characters, plot, etc. I had two alternate versions: an Edward/Bella story and a version in which she ended up with both of them. I told Soapy that I was going to go with the latter version.
"Why?" You may ask. Well, I was feeling a little more brave at the time. I figured if I could pull off a story about an alien with a tail, I could probably make this work, too. But I'm not at a point in my life right now where I need any more stress and having unhappy readers causes stress. I've heard the words "hard limit" so many times this week that I feel like I'm reading Fifty Shades. I even toyed with the idea of writing two separate endings that people could choose which they preferred, but then I thought, "Well, hell, why not write two versions of it, and post the E/J/B on TWCS?"
So, here's the plan: The story on FFN will be the Edward/Bella version and the one on TWCS will be the Edward/Bella/Jacob version. Both will follow the same basic story line, but the romance will be different. Those of you who don't have "hard limits" can enjoy both versions.
I was wondering how it was going to go. I know that you answered the question in an earlier post. I didn't read it, lol. I have been thinking about going back and looking but I just couldn't do it. You are an amazing writer and I have fallen in love with every story you've written that I have read. I decided to continue reading even if she ended up with Jacob. I'm glad that it will be E/B! I typically don't read anything else, so thank you! But I was willing to give it a try for YOU! That shows how amazing your writing is to me. I've been reading twilight fanfic since 2008 (like it's a full time job, haha) and you are one of the most moving and original authors that I have ever read! Thank you for sharing with all of us!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful thing your doing. Writing both so you can try & please everyone. I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to do that for all your readers. And here's hoping you have less stressful day's!
ReplyDelete*blinks*
ReplyDeleteWow, really? People were having a hissy fit? Huh. I was kind of resigned to it being a ménage à trois to be honest. I'm like jennchris above and love your writing and hadn't read the spoiler either. My reasoning was that if you had to make a spoiler type of thing that people were going to be unhappy, so something unusual must. E going on. Now, I am torn between reading both versions and just reading the original concept.
Decisions, decisions ...
Thanks, everyone, for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteI held my ground when I was writing "WITS" and there was a lot of unhappy/angry readers who thought the plot was going in a direction that it wasn't. I actually considered taking it down and re-writing it to change that particular plot element, but you know how "WITS" is: it's the most tightly plotted work I've ever done and changing that one element would have meant changing the whole story, because everything was entwined. Re-writing it probably would have taken me weeks to figure out.
In this case, I had already "written" it in two versions in my head. I decided to go with the ... unconventional (shall we say) version sort of as a way of branching out as an author. Just like my story for the "Bella's Insane" contest, it was something I hadn't done and wanted to see if I could make a go of it. I might have been able to, at another time, but right now, I'm not feeling particularly brave or adventuresome. I'm stressed, and this was adding to it. So, the easiest way to "fix" the problem was to write the two versions.
Just stay true to you. I would love to see both versions as I'm not a hard limit kind of girl. I focus more on the underlying story and feelings versus the little things that drive others to insanity.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll post both versions at ff.net and just label them accordingly. Once people have been warned, any disappointment is on them. I have enjoyed all your stories, and can't wait for lots more.
I'm going to have the E/B one on FFN, and it's labeled as such. The "Original Version" is on TWCS. It's a much more ...peaceful environment over there.
DeleteI agree with what everyone else is saying--stay true to yourself! I'm glad it's ExB, but not at the expense of you not being happy (if you're not). Btw, WitS is one of my all-time favorite fics and I want to kiss your face for writing it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'll be at the Austin Book Fair this year. You could come and meet me there and I suppose you could give me a kiss if you want but my husband might get a little jealous.
DeleteI'll read both, since I love what everything you write, but this " I've heard the words "hard limit" so many times this week that I feel like I'm reading Fifty Shades" Cracked me up sooooo hard!! lmaoo. I had to congratulate you on that one!
ReplyDeleteI have my moments ...
DeleteI hate that you felt like you had to change it to please people. I want to read the original, like you had it planned. I would have been excited for some 3-somes, to be honest. I've never been to TWCS but I might have to visit now.
ReplyDeleteIt's not exactly a threesome. There won't be any scenes of all three of them together at one time. It's more along the lines of both of them accepting that she loves the both of them and not wanting to hurt her by forcing her to choose.
DeleteIn her time, monogamy wasn't practiced, especially by goddesses, so she doesn't think that there's anything wrong with having two lovers. Jacob, free-spirited and easy-going as he is doesn't have a problem with it. Edward is a little more reluctant because he's a bit conservative in his views.
I will read both versions. Although I am E/B reader, I read other pairings as long as I am prepared for it. I really should go to find my password for TWCS right now because I just finished the sixth chapter on the ff.net and I want to know what´s different in the other story.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don´t count me to people who complained because it was me who asked on facebook if anybody knows what pairing this story has and I know that some people who answered weren´t polite about it.
Not at all. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteHi Lissa,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if you have felt unhappy and forced to compromise, but I am very, very happy to have an E/B version and won't read the other one, if you don't mind........
You are a wonderful writer and I love your stories, so thank you for that!
That's okay, irene. Everyone has different tastes.
DeleteMe? I'm not interested in reading werewolf stories, so I would probably decline if I started reading a story and found out it was going to involve werewolves, even if the writer was very talented. It's not an insult to the writer. It's just personal preference.
This is so nice of you! I typically only like to read E/B stories, but after reading the first few chapters, I was willing to give it a try because the story line was so creative and interesting and just plain 'ole GOOD. I might end up reading both versions just to see how the E/B/J story is different from the E/B version. Also, did you edit previous chapters to account for the change? Just so I know if I need to reread the past chapters to be up to date. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThere were a few minor changes and a few scenes deleted in the "E/B" version. Not a huge amount, because the romance angle was just beginning, but there were some changes.
DeleteWow, what a situation here. When you told me about the pairing over on FB I was wondering if this would happen. I have to say, I actually like the two versions. It threw me off when I saw on FF E/B version. I'm sorry you were feeling stressed, considering you're a busy author with your manuscripts. I think knowing that it would be a time-share situation lessened the blow so to speak... I'm not a Jacob fan at all. Maybe people didn't catch on? Either way, your Jacob is actually likeable...*bows head to that*
ReplyDeleteOn a side note... I am so happy you did not change the plot on WITS... I swear I will cut a bitch if they complain and bother you about that one... just send them to me.