Printer-friendly versionWith the daylight getting longer again and my general situation improving now that the weather is starting to slowly improve my thoughts have turned back to trying to write more of Zapped! again.
The first thing I want to do is finish up Zapped - The Lost Pages that I started so long ago. I'm not certain how long that will take but I do have over half of the final part of that story already completed. I just need to work on the rest.
After that I'm wondering if I should try to do some more current parts in Jen's life of if I should just leave things as they are for her and move on to some other story ideas I've got.
So I'll ask you, the readers, which direction I might head in when I get back to writing again shortly. What do you think? More Zapped or move on to other things or maybe a combination of both?
Bob
Zapped
By all means write more about Jen as you have created a great story and Julie O has added a great twist that is a great story to read over and over. Thank you and God bless.
Jeanne
Continuing ZAPPED
I personally would like to see where things go between him/her and the daughter.
I guess the real deciding factor is whether or not you have the ideas to continue the story. If you decide not to continue, PLEASE bring it to a conclusion and not just drop it.
Thanks for the great read,
Chac
Ending Zapped
Bringing Zapped to a close would probably mean seeing Jen die and that's something I really don't want to do. I'll give it some thought and see what else I might do to at least bring some closure to the story although the way I set things up I really wasn't expecting to end it.
There may be a story about Jen's relationship to the daughter she didn't know she had. Gotta give that one some thought.
Bob
zapped
i would like to read more about jen & the other character's she has had contact with and how it works it self into her new life as for the daughter there is that.
how is that still untouch and also may provide some thing more for to you to give jen a more motherly look at her future, even grand mother ideas may come about.
any way thank you for zapped and hope you can keep it going with what ever you can come up with.
xoxo Jo Ann xoxo
Hum, this is a real puzzle, Bob
I am happy to hear your muse is cooperating again. I know what pigs muses can be. And I REALLY am working on Timeout and the stuff we talked about involving our two heroines, honest!
The Lost Pages were progressing nicely, filling in gaps in Jen's background, revealing more of what makes her tick, what it was like in her early days of discovering who she was.
That it tied into Born to Race was a sweet plus. Putting Jen into situations other than we, the readers where used to, provides novel ways to explore her development as a person and woman. By all means complete this arc of her story.
As to *closure*, I prefer, I hope, that Jen's life story be taken to a point where it can comfortably rest. If your muse or Julie_O's should find a story where her character would be useful, dust her off and send her once more into the fray.
The trick is where to *stop*. One obvious choice is her and Adam getting back together, perhaps even a proposal or marriage. We know from her talks with Jirra and Liz that in the months since her change Jen's aging gradually slowed, her resistance to diseases has grown and is now stopped such that she may live hundreds of years, a bit like some of the sorceresses in Iona's family. For her to die suddenly though possible is improbable. Her monthly is quite a bitch but then everyone's entitled to some *fun* -- snicker --
You have touched on her fear of motherhood, that her offspring might not have her longevity, that she might outlive her children. Her daughter she fathered as Robert that she did not know about could be a way to explore this. As Robert she had serious health problems, Her daughter Angela was healthy but developed leukemia, though it is now under remission. The daughter does not know Jen was her father and for various reasons hates her as a freak, strange in that her own mom is unabashedly a lesbian. There is much that could be explored here.
You hinted at one line of development when you spoke of a search for bone marrow donors. What if the daughter, became ill again. Likely with Robert's and Jen's odd genetics Jen is the only match to her daughter. That might be one way to bring their conflict to a head and resolution. That could also explain her fear of having children, she sees her offspring ill, possibly dying and all her fears seem to come true. It is not like Jen to leave something this important unresolved and I can't see her ducking this issue forever.
Or maybe that is a key aspect of Jen. She is decisive in the World and in business and a great friend bur she can never get really close for fear of being hurt or of failing others. Irrational but so many of us are that way to one degree or another.
There is also the lightly touched on subject of her dad a, sister and nieces/nephews, IE her sisters kids. It was explained they were a family that buried their emotions. But Jen is learning not to burry hers. Will she ever have more interactions with her family? Will she ever be Aunty Jen?
In Fresh Start 2 or was it one of the Coeds, she admitted to Jirra that many in Robert's family and friends broke away from Jen after the transformation only to try and get friendly again after jen became rich and famous. Thus she knew who were true friends and who to be wary of. This was in responce to Jirra bemoaning the loss of most of her relatives due to the SRS explanation for her change. Maybe that could be explored to *tie up loose ends* and get the story arc to a safe *parking orbit*.
Then there is her relation to Jirra and now the photographer, Cailin, who was changed by magic to give her sister a child. Maybe seeing Jirra or one of the other X-men or whatever their Scooby Gang will call themselves give birth might change Jen's mind. Or not as the case may be. i know my heroine would say *go for it* but then Joanie is a bit, um, hormonal?
Him, Jen could always walk up to her daughter in a Darth Vader suit then say, "I am your father." not the same as in Star Wars but.
Sorry, my silly side came out.
So it comes down to, IMHO her motivations are keys to who she is. Why is she afraid to commit? Is this a remnant of Robert and his health problems and childhood anger that made him give up on romance? Is it something her doctors told her? What/why does she fear commitment/children?
Just a few random thoughts for you, Bob.. I hope they help.
It's your baby afteral. Write or do not write as you see fit andas you feel. Have some fun.
John in Wauwatosa
But you're not a scientist. Surely you believe in all this superstitious nonsense. (MAD Magazine)
Could be worse, could be raining. (Young Frankenstein)
But you're not a scientist. Surely you believe in all this superstitious nonsense. (MAD Magazine) Could be worse, could be raining. (Young Frankenstein)
Nicole
John,
I am glad to hear that you haven't completely given
up on Timeout.
Nicole
Personally I see great
Personally I see great things in continuing the original plotline, there is so much that can be added, It would be nice to see what happens to Jen next, we all know she's appeared in Julies stories it would be nice to tie into them maybe, I think one of the reasons your muse was quiet was because you tried to change direction of YOUR story to suit what others said they wanted, I think you should write YOUR story as your muse directs. Zapped is a great story and has lots of potential. As for the science bit well thats less of a worry as it could be explained the same way JulieO characters were changed.
I look forward to more from Zapped
Megumi :)
keep going
as i just started reading zapped again i find that you will continue with the story i do hope you are going to stop with book 1479 ^^ preferable 20k pages each^^ as the adventures of jen are quite funny at times but other times really down to earth as julie o has used jen sometimes i hope you can fit her in with the other characters ^^ but jen also needs to find someone for her in the long run^^
Huggles&Snuggles
Carpediem
Zapped!
Hihi Bob,
I enjoyed your telling of Jens adventure and always had hoped that you would pick up where you left us hanging. :) Since then she has made "guest" appearances in several stores and I've wondered what you would incorporate or set aside.
Huggles,
Winnie
Zapped
Please have no thoughts of ending Zapped. After all, Jenn's participation in the
"Julieverse" clearly runs several years after the last Zapped installation. (And many thanks for letting Julie O borrow Jenn a little.) Some more of Jenn's transitioning out of her old life of Bob would be nice, but the time line is already fairly full. I sure there's a lot of room for new Jenn adventures between where Zapped left off and the more developed celebrity of Fresh Start's Jenn, or from there on.
Some sort of grand unification of the random, miraculous transformations of Jenn and Jirra with the magic of Iona-Hallie portion of the Julieverse would be interesting, but would probably close off too many story possibilities and is probably Julie's to write.
In any event, I hope your muse stays active and lets you write. It's been too long.
PeterT
Zapped!
I would like to see you do both. I have really come to like Jen a lot. I like her from the Julie O stories, too.
Thank you.
Becky
Zapped or something new?
Bob,
I usually read and reread Zapped at least once a month just to keep up with the story.
Maybe by continuing Zapped and mixing Jen in with some other storyline might be better. Although I think the majority of us would like to find out why she was chosen for the change and for what reason. I still wonder why but I think it's still an excellent story regardless. You did a phenomenal job of writing it and putting everything together, plot, characters, etc.
I know for myself, I would love to see you continue the storyline. Hopefully waiting for it.
Barry
Zapped
Bob,
I loved Zapped and would like to see it continue but I would
be glad to see you continue in any way that you were comfortable with,
after all it's your story not ours.
I for one enjoy all your stories.
Nicole
Zapped
Bob,
I personally would love for you to continue Zapped, The fact that you let Julie O borrow her has given her character so much warmth and depth that I can safely say I love it when she pops up in the Julieverse (and in Toni Trepasso's stories as well).
Maybe you could explain the earlier "Techno / Timetravel" storyline though characters from the julieverse (after all some of them live a very very long time?
Any way whatever you decide to do, More stories from yourself will be warmly welcomed by this fan of yours.
Hugs
Sammi
Just want to join in
that it would be great to get more zapped.
I do not believe closing a chapter of Jen's life off need necessarily mean killing her off also. That is what the convenient structure called a 'book' comes into play.
You can continue on with her, or not, or have another author take over for you, though that may be hard on any author to have somebody else take over their creation.
Kim
More Zapped???? Definitely
By all means Please do continue the main Zapped Story Line. This has been one of my favorite series and the fact that it crosses into several other author's stories makes it all the more enjoyable.
I still have the original site's address in my bookmarks and have gone back more than once to reread this series.
I'd even like to see more of Bear Thompson and that story line, as well as any other stories you are willing to share with us.
More Jen, please
My vote is clear. Jen is one of my favorite characters both in Zapped and as she is continued in the Julieverse.
One thought about her daughter... Early in the Zapped series, Jen had some interesting 'powers'. I know that you pretty much abandoned that line, but it could offer some interesting alternatives.
Jen's aura, particularly when upset, is still active. That, along with her association with Julieverse characters, could offer some interesting opportunities in treating her daughter's illness.
Also, with Jen's peculiar biology there might be some very interesting side effects to any sort of transplant donation she might make.
I think that the field in incredibly fertile, and I would like to see what grows.
But, if the Muse takes you in different directions, I am sure that we will enjoy those stories as well.
Janet
Mistress of the Guild of Evil Blonde Proofreaders
Janet
Mistress of the Guild of Evil Blonde Proofreaders
If you write it...
...then I'll definitely read it. I've thoroughly enjoyed the story so far.
Positively Supportive
Yes, please
Please finish the lost pages,
they give an insight on her earlier days.
On continuing or adding new stories.
Which do you want to continue:
The original story line or the rewrite ?
Continuing the original story line would give you a chance to add new ideas fast.
Continuing the rewrite gives you the chance to fix the turns in the story line you feel unhappy with.
Moving to new stories gives you the biggest chance to put down new ideas.
Perhaps it would be an idea to continue with new stories and fix the old loose ends with flashbacks ?
But as several others wrote it:
Jen is yours. Do what feels best to yourself.
Nimrill
Yes please... May I have some more
Hi Bob,
I think finishing off the lost years and then mixing and matching with Julie O's stories might be the way to go... Plus having some adventures on her own in between.
Jen & The Julieverse Also a new Iona story
I just wanted to thank Bob for the use of Jen in my stories. When she does appear it's a collaboration between us. I am honored that he wants to share his great character with my own.
As for Bob writing more Jen stories, I feel that he should listen to his Muse.
I also want to let you know that there will be a new Iona story soon. Jen and many of my Julieverse characters are in it. Not to give away the plot but here's the title Three Cases and a Wedding (An Iona Beddau Adventure)
Love,
Julie O
Hum, Julie_O, is the tittle a play on a film of a a few years ..
... back, Three Weddings and a Funeral?
I look forward to it.
Until Jirra came along Iona was my favorite character of yours and could be again. Mind so many of your characters are memorable. The *side story* heroines are often equally so.
For example, I have long wondered what will the heroine of Forget me Not do as she matures to get justice for herself and all the other victims of that Wisconsin town and those magic crystals? Or given that someone figured how to make that mediacal pod turn a man into a complete IE fertile woman, will Dr Sanchez's former male associate agree to become fully female? Lots of loose ends to play with if you ever feel the urge.
That many do not get justice is sad but understandable. It adds a realism that makes the fiction work all the better. But that many do eventually get justice, for instance Margo's death provided some measure of justice to the boys and gorls she mutlated, is comforting and uplifting.
Having colaberated a litle with Bob and his Jen Stevens via my my Joanie in her Timeout series I feel a similar privilage at working with such a rich character. You and Bob have done well to intigrate Jen into the Julie_verse.
Jen is a delightful mix of strengths and weaknesses tempered by a good and loving heart. Perhaps that is why she has fit in so well to your storyline, that she is this loving, clever and adabtable woman with just a touch of childish curiousity and humor in her that makes her special.
I enjoy many of your stories and those of Bob's and the combination of the two is greater than the sum of it's parts.
John in Wauwatosa
But you're not a scientist. Surely you believe in all this superstitious nonsense. (MAD Magazine)
Could be worse, could be raining. (Young Frankenstein)
But you're not a scientist. Surely you believe in all this superstitious nonsense. (MAD Magazine) Could be worse, could be raining. (Young Frankenstein)
Zapped
Bob,
As much as I'd love to see more Zapped, I'll defer to what makes you want to continue writing and gives you the most satisfaction.
Bear
Bear
Whatever you choose, but...
Bob,
Only you can say what path to take. For my part, I'd love to see you continue Jen's adventures -- she was a major inspiration for beginning my own stories.
I know all too well, though, that you just can't force a Muse who doesn't want to pursue a particular story.
Follow your heart; I'll help as you need and as I am able.
Nicole (a.k.a. Itinerant)
--
"Power corrupts. Powerpoint corrupts absolutely."
- Edward R. Tufte, professor emeritus of political science, Computer science and statistics, and graphic design at Yale
Nicole (a.k.a. Itinerant)
--
"Power corrupts. Powerpoint corrupts absolutely."
- Edward R. Tufte, professor emeritus of political science, Computer science and statistics, and graphic design at Yale
ZAPPED
Please do continue the Zapped saga. I'm sure we all want to see Jen's growth continue and what the cosmos has in store for her. Hope you can intertwine her story with the stories that you have graciouslly allowed other writers to include her in such as the "COEDS" stories.
Many thanks to you for being a darn good writer and tale spinner and sharing your efforts with us, the public. Also, I want to thank you for keeping the site up and running as well as your efforts on behalf of the other story sites you help run.
I want to get Zapped! some more!
There's really nothing more I can add to what so many here have said -- I've enjoyed your tale, Bob ever since it debuted, and of course, love seeing her in the Julieverse!
Please continue the saga of Jen, MouseWorld, and the rest of the cast and crew!
Please More Zapped
I just finish chapter 17. Awesome. I know its not complete but love to see you finish Book One. You started some interaction with Jen in Julie O's stories, I bet you come up with a whole new adventure for her with some of your original ideas. There are no impossibilities in writing fiction. We talk about magic and sci fiction like its all real because we can believe it. Allot of us as I assume yourself. Wish life could change so drastically as it did for Jen. You have given us another way to fantasize about our life. A jewel. Please keep her alive. I think she is part of you. I love your diary when you reference this must be some authors bad plot, but its real as you continue. You seem to have fun. So have fun. Hugs Jackie Ann
Jackie Ann