Thanks for your comments and suggestions, everyone.
Irene, I'm glad to hear you're still reading. Thanks for posting, even if you didn't have suggestions.
Wendy, I'm glad you liked it. I've been trying to write Lois with her usual tight focus, not letting herself get trapped by her emotions (she does have a tendency to sort of swallow them rather than letting herself be overwhelmed by them, especially when there's something that needs doing), but she did seem past due for a brief babbling breakdown.
Rivka, sorry about that timing. I was going to just write her out of there, but then I thought it wouldn't be fair to you. You might have some idea of something else she could do before she left. So, thanks for those.
Tank, sorry if you've been bored, but I'm glad you've been keeping up anyway.
I haven't really wanted Lois to get into trouble, but, surprisingly enough, your suggestion actually will make it into this week's poll.
Kathy, thanks for your comments.
Sorry to hear that you feel ready for things to come to a close. I can't say how far along we are in the story. It all depends on what the readers have Lois do. I can say that we're past all of the (rather few) events I had preplanned. I think we're about halfway through, give or take, but I can't really say with any certainty. Basically, with the exception of those few preplanned events (I think Lex and the second email were the only two after part 1) I've been playing everything by ear. Look at the suggestions as they come in, think things through, wait for the poll, write it up, post, look at the suggestions... This isn't really a story where I can think ahead.
Thanks for your suggestions about Lois. You and Tank have given me a lot to think about on that score, but I think I'm ready now for whatever the poll throws at me.
As for Clark, I've been trying to do as much with him as I can, these last few parts, but the story was originally set up with the idea that he'd do very little after the first part. I wanted it to be Lois's investigation. So, now I have to work within the circumstances that were first set. It doesn't leave him much room to work with, but I'm trying to expand his role. It's a gradual process, though.
Tricia, thanks for your enthusiastic comments.
Was definitely good to hear, especially at that point. Thanks, too, for your thoughts and suggestions.
Jose, I'm glad you liked the letter and the part in general. Thanks for posting.
Ines, thanks for your comments. Glad to hear you're still enjoying the story. Thanks also for your thoughts and suggestions.
Now, a personal note. I'm scheduled to have some testing done a week from friday. A spinal tap, actually. Intellectually I understand that it's a relatively minor and common proceedure, but I'm fairly squeamish. The years of being diabetic have gotten me over my fear of needles and blood tests, and with the more recent brain scans I've learned to be comfortable with IVs as well. Still, thinking about a tap gives me the willies. I've been trying (with varying success) not to think about it too much. I've definitely been trying not to think about the possible consequences of having a sharp bit of metal so very close to my spinal cord.
Anyway, Mom and I may be doing something (yet to be determined) to take my mind off it this weekend, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to write then. We'll see. They also said that I may not be feeling too well for a couple days afterwards, while my body replaces the fluid. Sitting up could make me dizzy, etc. On the one hand, that might mean I'll have nothing better to do than hang around with a keyboard. OTOH, it might mean that I won't really be up to writing.
So, I'm not sure if I'll be posting either of the next 2 weeks. We'll have to see, but I thought I should let you know.
Just in case, the stop time on
this week\'s poll is still midnight on Friday.
Thanks again to everyone who wrote in.
Paul
