Ianmacian posted a comment on Thursday 6th March 2008 2:09pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

I really like this story. It has a realism to it that you don't often see in fanfiction. One question, though. Does Susan actually believe what she's saying here, or has she simply lost enough lately that she doesn't care how hypocritical she's being? She already knows from Dumbledore that the Abbotts are going to walk away from mind-rape and attempted murder with a rap on the knuckles, and she lays that "stay in the light" trip on Harry. It seems like what she's really saying is, "don't hurt anyone I care about, no matter whether they deserve or not, or you'll be dark"

Wolf

JBern replied:

It's tough to say.   Susan was doing her best to keep Harry in the light, for his sake, her sake.   Thanks for the review.~Jim

Brian Donnely posted a comment on Friday 28th December 2007 6:57pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Loved it. First time I've ever read about a bond between Harry and the Dementors. Rita's part in this chapter and her article were also very enjoyable.

I feel sorry for Emmeline/Hestia/Fleur. Whatever it is that Mulciber is doing to them... I can't be all that pleasant. Let's just hope that it's reversible.

JBern replied:

Since   I didn't use Horcruxes in this story, I looked for a different way for Voldemort to have cheated death.   In this case, I chose a deal with the Dementors.~Jim

Cynthia1850 posted a comment on Wednesday 2nd May 2007 2:45pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Damn, you're good.

JBern replied:

Thank you.   Sorry for the tardy reply, but chapter 33 is now up and I'm sure you'd rather have that instead.~Jim

Aaran St Vines posted a comment on Sunday 4th March 2007 1:17am for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Writing a Rita that Harry can broker a relationship with is rarely done and even more rarely done well. This example was very believable.

The dementor destruction scenario is also very well constructed.

I like the way you are making a very strong Susan use her Hufflepuff qualities in a powerful and logical way to be Harry's helpmate. The problem with most existing Harry/Susan tales is the too typical "Harry needs a loyal girlfriend" scenario - too, too lame. You're very effectively using her Hufflepuff-ness as a strong trait as equally beneficial to all as Gryffindor bravery and Ravenclaw intelligence.

Great stuff!

JBern replied:

I love Rita.   In the current chapter at beta, I am again attempting to write another Rita 'news article' in which she gets to sit down with none other than Voldemort.   It looks pretty good so far.   Hopefully, the new chapter will be out by midweek.

I've worked really hard to prevent Susan from becoming yet another Hermione/Ginny clone.   She deserves her own characterization and not clichedom.~Jim

Asad posted a comment on Saturday 25th November 2006 7:32am for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Very nice. I enjoyed this confrontation more than any other in this fic.

How is the progress with the next chapter?

JBern replied:

Just waiting on it to come back from Kokopelli to hash out the final edit.   The rough draft of the chapter is on darklordpotter under the work by author section.   Check it out if you want.~Jim

MonkeyAxman1302 posted a comment on Monday 20th November 2006 11:45pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

A brilliant chapter. I liked the dementor aspect you placed in. A possible bond which explains, well sort of explains, how he has the power to kill them. Most just give the excuse that Harry has so much power he is just capable of a super patronus. Its also good and very much in the character you've created that he ruthlessly kills them all.

I really liked you Rita Skitter and I thought your version of one of her articles was superb.

I also really liked Bill's reaction to Harry's use of Ginny. Very much in character and a very good way of developing some thoughtful contemplation for Harry on what he is doing. You show us Harry's reasoning for what he did with Ginny which shows us a ruthless side to him that is developing and its kind of nice that your getting Bill to test that.

I'm going to say again its great that your on this site, and I'm really glad this site has cought up with ff.net

Monkey

JBern replied:

I've always wondered why the Dementors singled out Harry on the train?   Some say it was his connection to Sirius, other say his deep emotional terrors.   Um, I don't really buy it.   I thought it would be interesting to make the Power the Dark Lord knows not something truly horrid.   A connection to the Dementors and the possibility of turning into one.   You probably have scene all these stories where superHarry! has his way with everyone and unleashes a Dementor aura causing everyone to tremble in fear (odd that most of the times this is used - it is on the OOTP or Ron, Hermione and Ginny).   I want my version of Harry to be more than a little worried that he will turn into a monster.

I've received nothing but glowing reviews for my writing as Rita segment.   The ability to write with no sense of shame seemed to come naturally.   (Perhaps I to have an inner monster?)

Part of the realism I am trying to portray is that there are several degrees to right and wrong.   You've probably had enough arguments in your life to know that it is rare that one person is totally in the right and the other is totally wrong.   I'm doing my best to represent that in this story.   In the end you readers will be the judge of that.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

Meteoricshipyards posted a comment on Monday 20th November 2006 2:08am for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

I finished reading this offline, and I have to say that this is one of the most intense and emotionally realistic views of how I think the battle between Voldemort and Harry would go that I have read. Excellent work! I can't say that enough.

Thank you for writing it.

Tom A.

JBern replied:

Thank you again for the compliments.   I'm glad you approve of the gritty realism that I promised when I started this story.   Chapter 26 is nearing completion, just one big nasty fight at #12 to be written.~Jim

dboris posted a comment on Saturday 18th November 2006 12:06am for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

You are definitely on my all time favorite authors !
Continue like this!

boris

JBern replied:

Chapter 26 is nearing completion.     Real life and it's demands have been demanding my attention. The first 3 scenes are posted in the work by author section of Darklordpotter(dot)net.   Feel free to check them out.   All that's left is to write the big fight scene.~Jim

HermioneGreen posted a comment on Thursday 16th November 2006 4:29pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

A most awesome story!!! I'm excited to be finally caught up with you. I look forward to the next Harry vs Snape Round . . . the previous ones have been very mild. I hope Dumbledore has some answers for Harry . . . it would not do well for him not to . . . Keep up the good work

Thanks for sharing

'Mione

JBern replied:

I hope to give you a Harry versus Snape showdown worth remembering.~Jim

Manatheron posted a comment on Thursday 16th November 2006 3:22pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Hmmm... I don't know if I like where this is going to end up... Every time I see a group of Less than three people I start getting jumpy and wondering whom your going to kill off next. I do have to admit that you tell a very compelling story though, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next chapter, as well as any future works.

Sincerly (The now Paranoid),

Manatheron

JBern replied:

War is brutal and merciless isn't it?   If I start killing off large groups of people at a time, I'm going to run out of characters.   Chapter 26 will be no exception.   Several people are going to die.   The first 2500 words are up on Darklordpotter in the work by author section at the bottom.   Real life has been tying up my free time so the full chapter will be delayed, but on the plus side - I get to go wild with a chainsaw on one of my fallen trees!   YEAH BABY CHAINSAW TIME!!!   Okay, maybe I'm a little disturbed.:)

Jim

Renzo7 posted a comment on Thursday 16th November 2006 3:05pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

This story rocks! I'm ashamed to admit I'd started reading this story a long time ago, but stopped as soon as Harry did the saving Snape act at the Bones Mansion.
Since I liked your other story so much I figured I'd give this one another chance, I'm glad I did, since this is a most excellent story. Your character's personalities, reactions, interactions, the plots, everything works so well.
Keep up the great work, I hope you update soon.

JBern replied:

Alot of people didn't like Harry bailing Snape out of that jam in chapter 2.   At the time, Harry didn't really have any other options.   Now of course he is wishing he hadn't, but if he did that, we wouldn't have the Harry versus Snape showdown in this coming chapter.   I have chapter 26 about 1/3 the way done.   Real life is dragging on my free time.   I hope it will be up this weekend.   Glad you gave the story a second chance.

Jim

MarinePotterfan posted a comment on Thursday 16th November 2006 1:10pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Great chapters, I await your next updates.

MPF

JBern replied:

I am working on chapter 26 right now.   Real life is slowing me down.   One of my trees fell and took out part of my neighbors fence during the windstorm through the midatlantic yesterday.   It will probably slow progress even further as I spend all weekend chopping it up and hauling it to the curb.

On the updside - CHAINSAW TIME BABY!!!!!!!!

Jim

PerfesserN posted a comment on Thursday 16th November 2006 12:33pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Jim, you are our hero. No one else here (that I've noticed) loads as many chapters at a time. And the writing is consistently excellent - keep writing, we'll keep readin' and reviewin'
His Dark Snakiness is being devious here, be afraid; be very afraid. . .

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I wish I could say differently, but all those chapters were already written.   I wanted to hustle and get them up here and I owe a large debt to Kokopelli for quickly reediting the chapters.   I still have to post  chapters 2-7 with the rework done to them.

I wish I could churn out three chapters that quickly.   As it stands it has slowed progress on chapter 26.   I posted the first 2500 words of chapter 26 in rough draft form on Darklordpotter under the work by author section.

Jim

 

PerfesserN posted a comment on Thursday 16th November 2006 8:59am for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Oooooh, nice dig at the politicos there, the pieces are in motion is end game in sight?

JBern replied:

We'll see if the endgame is in sight.   I am still trying to decide whether to end it here in the next couple of chapters and make a sequel or just keep it as one story.~Jim

Todd Rodgers posted a comment on Thursday 16th November 2006 3:06am for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

I hadn't seen your stories before just a week or two ago -- but this is absolutely fantastic. What I think I liked the best at this point is your conversation with Bill Weasley and Harry. I think Bill made the best argument I've ever heard for how Harry should approach combat. Very well done. I hope you keep writing this tale, I'm really enjoying it.

JBern replied:

Glad you are enjoying my efforts.   I like to write conversations that seem real.   Arguments always have 2 sides.   Often neither is completely right nor wrong.   Thank you for the kind words.~Jim

Tanydwr posted a comment on Wednesday 15th November 2006 11:52pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Awesome as usual.

Poor Ginny - after having Tom rape her mind at age eleven - even if she can't remember it - she now has to go through a schoolmate doing it. They'll be lucky if she really doesn't snap. And Harry will feel so guilty about it.

The Auror scenes were good - and Harry's dealing with the Dementors and Skeeter were awesome!

One thing - you seem to use apostrophes for plurals when you shouldn't be. Might want to check that out - first paragraph of Rita's article - Curse breaker's should be (I think) Curse-breakers.

Keep up the exceptional work.

Lol, Tanydwr

JBern replied:

It was surprisingly easy to write as Rita Skeeter.   I don't know what that says about me.

Ginny's had a rough road in this story.   I don't see it getting any better.

Jim

 

MercuryBlue posted a comment on Wednesday 15th November 2006 4:43pm for A Lesson in Uncomfortable Truths

Is it Fred who died or George? I'm not sure whether I'm remembering things wrong or whether you keep switching which one's on the obituary list, but I'm pretty sure only one of them died and I don't know which one it is.

JBern replied:

George died.   Fred was captured and freed at the hostage swap.~Jim