MONDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 12/29/97
[Previous report was for 12/27/97]

Hi guys,

As 1997 comes to a close I want ALL of you out there who enjoy XWP fan fiction as much as I do to think about taking a little time to *THANK* those fellow Xenites who have made the Xena experience SO special for SO many of us. I'm referring to two groups in particular - the BARDS who share their stories with us and the WEBMASTERS without whose expertise we would not have access to those stories.

It takes INCREDIBLE courage to share a personal, creative effort with thousands of people on the Internet. Our bards take this risk without asking for ANYTHING in return. Particularly during reruns, when we all tend to suffer a bit from XWS (Xena Withdrawal Syndrome), the fan fiction is something new we can look forward to on an almost daily basis. I have NO DOUBT that all of you out there can think back to several times during this year whe n one story or another touched you in some way, made you laugh, made you cry. I'm sure you can think of some veteran bards whose talent you've always respected and some new bards who you'd like to encourage. THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME FOLKS TO SEND THESE WRITERS A NOTE! Let them know the impression their story or stories had on you - let them know what you liked - if nothing else j ust let them know you read their fiction and appreciated it.

As for the webmasters, without them guys we simply would NOT have a Xenaverse. These are people who again without asking for ANYTHING in return spend HOURS coding files to make these available for all of us to enjoy. They archive fan fiction so present and future Xenites can have access to these, they make available pictures and reports from conventions and events sharing these with those of us who could not attend, they include links to a zillion things from articles to photos to games, information abo ut the stars, the episodes, the mythology. They make forums and chat rooms available to us so we can gather and discuss all things Xena :) In short - the webmasters **ARE** the architects of this online world we call the Xenaverse. PLEASE take a few minutes to THANK some of these webmasters for the job they do. Tell them what you like about their sites, give them suggestions if you have any but more than anything just express your gratitude for the effort they make on our behalf.

Most of the bards include their e-mail addresses with their stories. If you wish to contact a bard and do not have his/her e-mail addy then send the message to the webmaster who manages the site the bard's story is at - they will forward the messages to the appropriate bard(s). Webmasters almost always include their e-mail addy's at their sites or make available some feedback form you can fill out online. Those bards who post on the NetForum you can contact by leaving messages on the NetForum.

Now, talking about Web sites :) - we have yet another new site for XWP alt. fan fiction now available - Mil Toro's ONE IN A MIL XENA PAGE at:
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/6913/

Most of Mil's stories have already been made available including two reviewed below.

Tonight's report is an all alt. fiction one featuring 5 new stories and an update.

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

THE TAVERN by Cousin Liz
This new offering from the bard who brought us one of my favorite new stories this year, ILLUMINATIONS OF THE SOUL is a warlord/slave tale that firmly establishes Liz's fiction as among the most pas sionate in XWP alt. fiction today. The tale begins with Gabrielle secretly following Xena into a tavern where the young bard soon realizes why the warrior didn't want her to come along. Having uncovered the true nature of the establishment as a brothel staffed mostly with slaves, Xena is determined to put an end to the place only now the success of that plan doe sn't just depend on her - but also on how well a certain bard can play the role of submissive slave. Liz's treatment of the Xena/Gabrielle relationship is a remarkably effective combination of love, tenderness and sizzling sensuality. This is one to be avoided at work and probably at most other public places too but a definite MUST READ! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Note: The story contains rough language.
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/3905/tavern.htm

A FATE TO REMEMBER by Mil Toro
A thought-provoking what-if story set around the events in the episode REMEMBER NOTHING which assumes that Xena did manage to stop Gabrielle from killing Mezentius at the end of that episode. In this tale, the Warrior Princess remains only a memory in Xe na's mind from another life. She is living with her brother in Amphipolis and with them, trying to recover from the years of slavery, is Gabrielle. Tormented by what the young woman has been through and desperately wanting to recapture the bond they onc e shared in another life, Xena opens her heart to the former slave girl but this Gabrielle is not the same carefree, gentle bard who once chose to share her life with an ex-warlord. The years of abuse have taken a toll possibly hardening a heart beyond e ven love's ability to reach it. Poignant story with some very emotional scenes.
http://www.sirensong.co.uk/xenastories/remember.html

A KISS IS JUST A KISS by Mil Toro
Hilarious little skit featuring two terrific actresses of our mutual acquaintance coming up with some devilish ways of expanding juuuuuuust a bid the subtext on our favorite show. Cute!
https://ausxip.com/fanfic2/akiss.html

THE BACK-UP PLAN by Beowolf
Your face may permanently freeze into a grin after experiencing this marvelously delightful little tale. Fed-up with Joxer dotting on her like a love-sick puppy, a VERY frustrated bard comes up with the perfect solution to discourage him - one destined t o prove PURE torture for a certain Warrior Princess >:) This is well-written, a ton of fun and just BEYOND cute! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
http://xwp-altfic.simplenet.com/theback-upplan.txt

CHAINS OF ICE, CHAINS OF FIRE by Nene Adams
Known for her originality, Nene brings us a very unusual tale that reads a lot like the stories of old. On her way to meet with Gabrielle, Xena happens upon the home of a former captain in her army. She stops to rest and reminisce never suspecting the evil she has stumbled into it. Eerie and powerful.
http://www.sff.net:80/people/SapphicVoices/horror/chains.html

WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OFF? by DJWP
Parts 7-9 of this story are now available. The talented bard who brought us the already classic A BARD DAY'S NIGHT returns with a FANTASTIC new story complete with all the elements that have made her ta les among the most entertaining in XWP fan fiction. Visiting the city of Chalcis to replenish their supplies, Xena and the Gabster stop by an apothecary where the warrior hopes to find some of the medicinal herbs and potions used in healing. Unbeknownst to them both, their shopping trip will eventually give way to a nightmare as Xena soon finds her effectiveness as a warrior somewhat...reduced. In this latest section Gabrielle discovers the true gravity to their situation. DJ's characterizations of Xen a and the bard are among the best in the business - very playful, sexy and sweet. She is adept also at creating a strong supporting cast as anyone can attest to who was enchanted with her unforgettable Sappho and the poet's fun-loving followers in A BARD DAY'S NIGHT. As yet unfinished, this new story already features a number of colorful characters including a rather uncoordinated bardmaid whose mishaps are going to leave you and a certain bard grinning :) This tale is EASILY one of the most original I 've read to date in XWP fan fiction - a marvelous combination of humor, suspense, romance and drama that will satisfy the finickiest of readers. NOT TO BE MISSED folks! This receives my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
https://ausxip.com/fanfic/whatare.html

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 Gabby, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)

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