MONDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 12/7/98
[Previous report was for 12/3/98]

Hi all,

A couple of new XWP fanfic sites to report - TRAGEDY88'S FAN FICTION is now online at: http://members.tripod.com/~Trag_88/fanfict88.html

Also, Daniel Strickland's THE MADISON SERIES featuring this bard's fiction is now open for business at: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/9330/madison.html

THE SCROLL SOCIETY Fan Fiction site will be closing its doors January 1, 1999. Plans are in the works to move the stories there to another site but in the meantime I would STRONGLY suggest a visit to the site so you can save favorite stories located there. THE SCROLL SOCIETY is at: http://scrollsociety.simplenet.com/fanfiction/fan.htm

Eight new ones and three updates including the conclusion of a popular favorite. Also, more terrific FANFIC ART!

GENERAL FICTION:

THE HUNGRY LAND by Mary Morgan
One of our most gifted bards returns with a story certain to maintain her reputation for the unusual. Suffering from some very frightening nightmares, Gabrielle is less than enthusiastic about traveling through the lush forest Xena insists on leading them through. For the bard it's the beginning of a nightmare as every step seems to zap her strength further, widening both the physical and emotional distance between herself and her partner. For Xena it will be among her greatest challenges as she finds herself increasingly drawn to the power of that forest - wanting to become a part of it no matter the cost and dreading the implications of that compulsion. Mary presents us here with a well-crafted, eerie tale, rich in symbolism that also happens to be a great character study. DO NOT MISS! - 8 pgs.
http://ferengi.cardiff-net.co.uk/xenanet/fiction/hungry.html

THE NATURE OF POWER by Melissa
Melissa presents a fascinating pairing here in a story that has the God of War and the Bard of Poteidaia trapped in a prison strong enough to hold even the mighty Ares. Their only chance of escaping rests on Ares' somehow becoming stronger but for that to happen the mortal with him is going to have to bring herself to honor him - while Ares struggles to keep himself from killing the...er...beautiful little pest. Sparks FLY every which way in this sizzling tale that features very likeable characterizations of the principals and a surprisingly compelling chemistry between the two. General fanfic readers should consider calling their alt. fanfic reading friends for the phone number of the Amazon Ice Co. before tackling this one ;-) A MUST READ in particular for fans of the God of War. DO NOT MISS! - 36 pgs.
http://www.electricferret.com/fireheart/melissa/nop01.html

THE YANKEE AND THE BRAT by MythBard
MythBard chronicles the rocky beginnings of the Janice/Mel partnership in a 1940's version of the ODD COUPLE ;-) Cute. - 4 pgs.
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content3/yankeebratmythbard.html

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

DISCOVERY by Rooks
Rooks continues the contemporary uber-story begun in SEARCH with an OUTSTANDING sequel set in Athens where former college student Denise Alexander and artist Rachel Perry are now making a life for themselves and growing ever closer, surrendering to feelings that are both new and at the same time strangely familiar. When a beloved family member presents them with the opportunity to further solidify things between them, Denise couldn't be happier but for the brooding artist a lifetime of fears and insecurities and guilt can't be exchanged for happiness quite that easily. Rooks does a fantastic job with the relationship here, developing the trust and the friendship into a very passionate, endearing partnership. Flashbacks contribute to the characterizations and help to flesh out an intelligent storyline about two people from very different worlds discovering in one another the strength to find themselves. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - 63 pgs.
https://ausxip.com/fanfic5/discovery1.html

THE MATING GAME by Joanna
Our very own mistress of mayhem is back with a new parody certain to cause...er...mayhem! >:) Determined to make sure his widow finds happiness, Perdicus orchestrates a little Mating Game to help Gabrielle choose that perfect match. Among the contestants? - A dark and deadly ex-warlord, a fish ;-) and...THE CHORUS!!! Yeap - those riming darlings are back and intent on enticing one not-so-innocent bard into polygamy! For one of the most interesting views of the Xenaverse around, reading Joanna is simply a MUST! Check on that funny bone insurance policy and run to this one. DO NOT MISS! - 11 pgs.
https://ausxip.com/fanfic5/matinggame.html

SOMETHING MORE THAN THIS by Bardzlife
Set sometime in the second season, this bard's first fanfic offering is a cleverly written effort that incorporates several point of views to tell a tale of great love, of unrequited love, and of the power of love to inspire. The story begins with Xena and an injured Gabrielle arriving at a small town where the young woman who runs the inn immediately welcomes them. For Taren the two are thoroughly intriguing, stirring a strange sense of understanding within her she doesn't quite comprehend until the moment her eyes meet the gentle ones of the bard and suddenly it all seems much too clear. In an ironic twist of fate, the inn-keeper soon finds herself playing catalyst for a chemical reaction too long kept dormant as two hearts ignite in passion and a third is set free. Peppering traditional plot elements with some nicely original twists, Bardzlife creates an absorbing tale here that will have you immersed in the emotions of these characters. DO NOT MISS! - 51 pgs.
http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/bardz_life_smtt.hts

THE DAY AFTER by Anima
This piece features dueling vignettes of sorts as first Gabrielle then Xena reflect on what they mean to one another in the hours after the events in the episode CRUSADER. A thoughtful look into the hearts of these characters. - 2 pgs.
http://home.att.net/~ianima/thedayafter.htm

DAMOCLES by SigXAG
A traditional hurt/comfort tale that has an old enemy of Xena's choosing to take his revenge by hurting what the warrior love's most. Features some very tender exchanges in a nice depiction of the relationship. - 21 pgs.
http://www.xenafan.com/fiction/content3/damoclessig.html

TROPICAL STORM by Melissa Good
The conclusion is now available. Time for uber-Xena fans to rejoice as the incredibly talented Missy Good extends her gift of storytelling into the contemporary uber realm. Missy's latest is a departure from everything she's done before - a story set in modern-day Miami, centering on the lives of two strangers whose destinies bring them together amidst the turmoil of a hostile corporate takeover. Wealthy, brilliant and deadly, Dar Roberts has cultivated a well-earned reputation as one of the most efficient corporate raiders in the Information Technologies business. To her bosses she is a formidable weapon to be used in the never-ending struggle for power, control and profit. To the people employed by the companies she assimilates - the executive is a predator - cold and merciless. It is a reputation she is living up to as she prepares to decimate the work force of a recent acquisition. In charge of that work force is Kerry Stuart - a smart, young manager whose life had been going well until the recent turn of events. With dogged determination, Kerry has escaped the pressures of family to make her own way in the world - establishing a career and rising quickly within a small company - only to now have to face the prospect of those efforts being for naught as a disconcertingly beautiful blue-eyed shark strolls into her office. In this final part a stunning secret is revealed as Dar and Kerry start to plan a life together. With rich descriptions that engage your every sense - multi-layered characterizations that draw you into the psyche of the characters and a story very much grounded in human emotions, human frailties and strengths along with the raw vulnerabilities that ultimately make us all seek the comfort of another soul, this is a story guaranteed to make you into an uber fan if you aren't yet. Working in the the Information Technologies industry herself and a fellow Miamian, Missy also imbues the story with a very realistic feel. This one will keep you glued to that monitor. It gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - [finished] - 17 pgs.
http://www.merwolf.com/tropical1.html

OF DRAG KINGS AND A WARRIOR PRINCESS by Susan Smith
Chapter 19 is now available. This talented writer tries her hand at uber fiction this time around, producing a very different, very original contemporary story. Rosalind Olchawski considers herself a fairly ordinary college professor leading a fairly ordinary life - a life so ordinary and so bland, in fact, that recently Rosalind has started to wonder whether she's even capable of feeling that passion others seem to feel. It is a concern that is answered one evening when she accompanies a friend to a club and discovers in the startling blue eyes of a drag king the destiny she had been waiting for. In this latest chapter the professor can quite let those sleeping dogs alone... Very well written, with characterizations that are sensitively done, a twist of the uber theme and an intriguing storyline this one should keep you hitting that page down button. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [unfinished] - 5 pgs.
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Field/8093/Drag.html

NANO #4: NEWTON'S SECOND LAW - GRAVITATION by Jules Mills
Part 7-8 are now available. Jules continues one of the best series EVER in XWP fanfic with the fourth entry in her NANO SERIES. Set a few months after NANO #3: THE CARNOT CYCLE, the story has Grace and Dana taking it easy at the young doctor's beach house while her partner recovers from her recent bout with the beta virus. It's a wonderful time for the two of them as they revel in a new intimacy made possible by Dana's emotional as well as physical healing...but it is also a happiness fated not to last for there are forces at work determined to take it from them - individuals that know just how deadly and valuable Dana Papadopolis is and will never be willing to give her the peace she craves. In these latest parts Dana and Grace continue rebuilding their relationship but others may hinder those efforts with plans of their own for the brilliant nanotech. Brace the old ticker for this latest part as insecurities and incompatibilities come between the two lovers. If you haven't yet discovered this OUTSTANDING series you are doing yourself a CRUEL disservice. Jules has created in Grace and "Doc" two of the most appealing representations of Xena and Gabrielle to date - placing them in an uber scenario that is cleverly constructed and utterly fascinating! Hold on to that ticker too because judging from the first part of NANO #4 this one is going to be a heart-stopper. RUN don't walk to the NANO SERIES and catch up with the rest of us that are gobbling up this series :) NANO #4 gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION! - 13 pgs.
http://members.tripod.com/~jules_mills/nano4p1.html

FANFIC ART:

"Soulmates" by Barbara Maclay
Inspired by the story TROPICAL STORM by Melissa Good.
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/2591/#Tropical

"TROPICAL STORM Portfolio" text inserts by Melissa Good, drawings by Barbara Maclay
A portfolio page inspired by the Melissa Good's TROPICAL STORM featuring graphics by Barbara Maclay and text inserts by Melissa Good.
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/8725/

For those of you reading this post who are not familiar with the term alternative (alt.), it refers to ADULT stories that add a romantic element to the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)