#kind feedback

[okamirayne]

Hey! I absolutely adore btb and I’m so unbelievably excited to see more of your Shikaneji (the way you write them is so incredibly beautiful) and of the entire btb cast and world! I was wondering about your view on the Shikamaru x Neji relationship - please ignore this part of the ask if it’s spoilery - but in the btb world were they in as much of a relationship as they could’ve been (in a ninja world) when Neji died? I was also wondering what drew you to ShikaNeji - are they/were they your favourite Naruto ship or did you become intrigued by the idea of them and then start to write? What is it that drew you to them? The chemistry you build between them is so unbelievably intense that I now can’t picture either of them with anyone else in the series even with canon shikatema 😂 thank you thank you for writing this - from a forever loyal reader!

Hiya Anon! 💜

Thanks so much for dropping by to leave me this message/ASK.  A joy to hear from you!  🥰 Super chuffed that you have enjoyed the BtB series so far and I really appreciate your kind words regarding the ShikaNeji dynamic.

[…] in the btb world were they in as much of a relationship as they could’ve been (in a ninja world) when Neji died?

Not too much of a spoiler so no worries!  They were in a clandestine relationship, which, while challenging at times, wasn’t too difficult to achieve or maintain given ninja life.

Being stealthy and sneaky proved to be pretty handy transferable skills – which they both used to preserve their relationship.  With Neji’s Jōnin status and Shikamaru’s ‘unofficial Jōnin rank’ (given his intellectual prowess as military strategist etc.) they could spend a lot of time sequestered away together under the pretext of ‘work’, which allowed for a lot of their stolen moments.  

Between their duties and separate lives there was the ‘stolen moments’ middle ground in which they preserved their private relationship, both being extremely protective of it. What this extremely private approach might’ve meant for their relationship further down the line?

Ah, well…that’s a whole different story and potentially a problematic issue neither one of them ever really talked about or wanted to explore. There were more pressing things happening around them and Shikamaru hated future-tripping or overthinking things with Neji, hence his whole ‘this isn’t a thinking thing’ and Neji being the one thing he didn’t ‘have to figure out’. They lived moment-to-moment with each other, as they never knew when the next time would be given missions etc.

I was also wondering what drew you to ShikaNeji - are they/were they your favourite Naruto ship or did you become intrigued by the idea of them and then start to write? What is it that drew you to them?

Oooh, where to start? I had always loved Shikamaru’s character – and was always fond of Neji. I found his tragic background fascinating. That said, he was probably fourth in line. At the start the characters I was most engaged with were Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Itachi. 

Regarding ShikaNeji: funnily enough, it all started with a dream I had of Shikamaru running through the forest chasing someone (hence the start of BtB). I had no idea who he was chasing. But the more I reflected on the dream and considered pairing options, Neji immediately sprang to the forefront and it all just began to snowball from there. I started what I thought would be a one-shot, literally just to play around with the dream…and that turned into the first instalment…which then seemed to take on a life of its own and grew into the monster that was the BtB series. I never thought that’s the way it would go when I started writing…but I’m so grateful it did, and I’m so SO thankful to the reviewers and readers who engaged with it, as they gave me the steam to keep up with the bloody runaway train the story became.

The chemistry you build between them is so unbelievably intense that I now can’t picture either of them with anyone else in the series even with canon shikatema 😂 thank you thank you for writing this - from a forever loyal reader!

Aww, sweetheart, thank you!  💖 I’m thrilled you’ve enjoyed their dynamic so much as to have it override canon ships!  Thank you so much for reading and even more so for reaching out to share your support and love.  I appreciate you! 🙏🏼💜

[okamirayne]

hello rayne!!! i was so glad to see a new chapter of HHU, you truly are a gift!

as a reader and a writer, the way you build your scenes always amazes me. you have all these characters, all of them with their own past and their own motives, interacting with each other in these intricate political and emotional dances, and you manage to show us through dialogue and gestures the layered complexity of their inner and outer reality. hibiki and genma's conversation in particular was so good!!!

thank you so much, sending you love and a giant hug ♥

Hello, my dear @god-of-dust 💜!

How beautiful to hear from you, luv! Such a joy to get your message. Thank you for the immense support of taking out that time to write to me. My appreciation is all up in your energy right now. 💜💜!

I'm not only touched by your feedback, but both spurred and reassured. But more than anything, I'm just so damn happy you enjoy the scenes...you hit the emotional nail right on the head for me when you mentioned the characters...oh gods, the characters are EVERYTHING. Their layers are everything. And I am a fuzzy fizzy fluffy fangirling mess myself over my readers (seriously, the appreciation runneth over so hard) when they enjoy the character interaction and dynamics, which are undoubtedly my most favourite part to write (or witness, as I watch them go about their crazy business and run around after them like some medieval bard or scribe, writing down the madness as it unfolds). You guys let me know I've captured something that matters to you and when you let me know what that is, I feel the joy of being a reader myself, as well as a writer, and also, a fan of the characters. It's this awesome, indescribable cycle of beautiful energy and that connection lives on the kindness of the readers giving their feedback - so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. 💜💜💜

Or rather, I hope I give you entertainment and you give me the energy back like a nuclear power plant imbuing me with some of the big radioactive stuff (not the legit crap that kills you - oh dear, Rayne), but the metaphorical stuff that turns you into some kind of MARVEL/DC individual whose superpower is to be able to see and hear people talking and walking about the screen in their head (psychiatrist would have a field day with this) and then be able to conceptualise wtf is going on by putting that into words.

Is that a superpower or schizophrenia? 😅😅 As a fellow writer, would you agree that's between us and our maker, right? 😉 Right'O.

Thank you again, my lovely, for being so bloody awesome to reach out with this message. 🫶🏼

I'm sending you a giant hug right back and big love and appreciation right on its heels. 🥰 Xx

[okamirayne]

Hi! I've been rereading BtB these days, and I realized there's something I've been wondering. How do you come up with such accurate metaphors to describe such abstract concepts?

Two examples that come to me are, when the psychiatrist explains the nature of a fracture psyche and compares it to a loose fist, and how integration/functionality is similar to tighten the fingers of said hand. The other one is when it's explained Shukaku's internal fail-safe mechanism to contain his trauma, is searching and killing one of the twins each night, and repeat the process all over again the next day.

There are, of course, more descriptions that are outstanding among the serie, but these exacts ones, personally struck me like lightning. I don't mean to intrude in your privacy, I was just wondering how was the process in constructing such complex imagery. Did you expect to reach such depth? Was it carefully crafted and cultivated or more along the lines of unexpectedly unavoidable once you were in the trenches of writing?

Truth is, ten years ago, I would have benefited a lot had I known how to express both of these situations with words. About the fractured psyche I used to described it as grabbing water with bare hands, but it was never a satisfying metaphor all in all :"D

The magic of writers I guess, the first time I read your works I felt like a kid that watches the rabbit being pulled out of the hat for the first time.

Obligatory, english-isn't-my-first-language warning/apology in advance.

Love you author <3

Hey there @dirty-tako 💖!

Wow! Firstly, thank you for your patience as I finally get round to responding to your lovely message. And also, thank you so much for crossing the language barrier to reach out to me 💖🫶🏼💖. I would never have suspected it wasn't your first language and wish I could command another tongue as eloquently and brilliantly as you! 🙏🏼

I've been rereading BtB these days, and I realized there's something I've been wondering. How do you come up with such accurate metaphors to describe such abstract concepts?

Ah! So, so chuffed to hear that you've revisited BtB recently, my lovely. Thanks for jumping back into that world. As for how I come up with my metaphors?

I honestly don't know how to answer that, luv. Pictures flood onto my mind-screen and I literally just write what I see, or what the characters 'say'. When I'm in flow with my writing, the imagery often takes care of itself. The two examples you gave of Dr Mushi and Shikaku are perfect examples of that. I 'saw' both those metaphoric instances playing out visually and I just scribed what I saw - it tends to come organically from the characters, if that makes sense? I know that sounds quasi-woo-woo but that's the honest to gods' truth. I wish I could say there was a specific process I used, but it always tends to come from the characters that I'm inhabiting when writing from their POV.

There are, of course, more descriptions that are outstanding among the series, but these exacts ones, personally struck me like lightning. I don't mean to intrude in your privacy, I was just wondering how was the process in constructing such complex imagery.

Gosh, thank you for your very kind praise of my writing. I don't find it intrusive of you to ask, sweetie, and I'm touched you find my insanity a point of interest. 😅💜 The process is always 'character driven' for me...I don't even know if it's helpful explaining it that way, but I can't think how else to describe it. When I'm in their skin, the metaphors tend to flow from them given their model of the world or the moment.

Did you expect to reach such depth? Was it carefully crafted and cultivated or more along the lines of unexpectedly unavoidable once you were in the trenches of writing?

Absolutely the latter, Tako. Unexpectedly unavoidable. You nailed it with that. Very much a spontaneous and organic process when it comes to the metaphors and descriptions unless I need to describe a very specific structure or do my research on Japanese architecture, specific items, or particular interior designs etc. in a scene.

Truth is, ten years ago, I would have benefited a lot had I known how to express both of these situations with words. About the fractured psyche I used to described it as grabbing water with bare hands, but it was never a satisfying metaphor all in all :"D

Oh wow! 😍 Now you see, that's such an interesting and unique take; the image you've described gives a whole different feel to a fractured psyche because you've gone with an element that is so deliciously nebulous and lends itself well to the mind. How can you hold onto consciousness with your bare hands? Beautiful. I love that.

It's strange isn't it? While you say it didn't quite hit the mark for you, for me, I find your example such a brilliant take on the mind. I could go wild with that water analogy. See? You've inspired a whole flood of images for me by sharing your personal visual perspective on the fractured psyche. I bloody love it!! 😍

The magic of writers I guess, the first time I read your works I felt like a kid that watches the rabbit being pulled out of the hat for the first time.

The magic of readers and writers connecting in the worlds that come spilling outta the ether. It's beautiful. I'm so ridiculously happy that my words touched you and vibed with you, luv. That lifts and lightens my spirit! Thank you for connecting with my work and for reaching out to connect with me. I appreciate you so much. 🥰🙏🏼

Big Love coming at you, dear reader 💜🫶🏼💜

[okamirayne]

Hello again💗

it’s been a long time since I wrote a message to you, I don’t know if u remember me but I just find out that u started to write BtB again and I’m so happy, thank you so much for this since I feel so lost, like I am not doing enough in this life and now I still don’t know If it’s worth it…

but I can say for sure that I feel a little better now since I can keep reading your story that I consider a safe place where I can always come back.

I really hope u are doing fine and that life is treating you well!

Hello @illumimimi 💜

Firstly, thank you for reaching out to drop this sweet message, luv. I’m touched and happy to hear from you! 🥰

I just find out that u started to write BtB again and I'm so happy, thank you so much for this […]

Aw, sweetie! Thank you so much for re-engaging with the story again and for welcoming it back! Do you know how much that means to me? I appreciate it immensely 💖

[..] since I feel so lost, like I am not doing enough in this life and now I still don't know If it's worth it...

🥺 I’m so sorry you are feeling so lost, that you feel you’re not doing enough and are questioning and doubting the value / worth of where life finds you right now. 😢 That is not a fun place to be. I’m truly sorry to hear you’re feeling this way 🫂🩵

but I can say for sure that I feel a little better now since I can keep reading your story that I consider a sate place where I can always come back.

🥹❤️‍🩹 What can I even say to express how much this moves me? I hope BtB can always be a safe space for you to help lift your spirits or allow you some respite for a while. Thank you so much for letting me know it’s helped you; that gifts me with creative chakra and keeps me focused on the meaning when I’m struggling to write.

💜🙏🏼💜 I hope wholeheartedly that you find whatever it is you need to feel less lost and less like you need to be ‘doing more’. I hope that the sense of worth and meaning are restored to you in all the ways that are right for you and that life is kinder, gentler, happier, and aligns some stepping stones for you, so you don’t feel so lost, sweetie. 👣

Thank you for your beautiful message. Big love and appreciation coming your way! 🥰💜

[okamirayne]

Hi! Just wanted to say I re-read BtB all the time, it's really comforting and got me through a lot of tough moments in my life ^^ I can quote some of my favorite passages by memory at this point jfjfks

not sure if I've sent an ask before but I was just reminded because I was going to start to reading from the beginning again, so hope you don't mind a duplicate if that's the case!

Hello there @apolloandellipses 🤗💜!

AW! Thanks so much for this beautiful message, my lovely. You're super sweet to take the time to leave it.

Firstly, I'm so touched to learn that the series helped bring you comfort and aided you during some tough times. 💜 To know that it offered that, as well as entertainment, is truly special. Thank you for sharing this with me.

Back to the start! Oh aweome! So chuffed to hear you're gonna hop on the crazy train again and revisit the BtB insanity again (and to know you've re-read it before is just...wow). I hope you enjoy your next re-read, sweetie. 💜 Thank you again for reaching out to me here and bringing me joy! xx

[okamirayne]

*a wild friend just phases into existence before you*

SO! 14 chapters into this masterpiece - I was surprised at my reading speed but then I remembered I once read 14 books in 7 days so I'm actually dallying right now - and can I just say I love how you connected the different groups into the same coherent narrative

Like, how you go from the kids to Kakashi and Genma to Ibiki and so on, it's very dynamic. I hate switching povs usually cuz they tend to slow shit down but you manage to keep everything feeling smooth and fluent. Quite the feat

Also, I adore the dynamic between Neji and Tenten. She deserves so much more than canon gave her and I get the vague feeling you agree xD

I'm also still very intrigued with how you write DID. Media portrayal tends to be very monotone if not malicious, you go for a very nuanced and appropriately unsettling portrayal that feels very respectful. Like, yeah it's terrifying, not because it immediately makes someone do evil shit (Criminal Minds!) but because changes in the mental landscape of a person are really fucking scary.

I'd also like to say you deserve a reward for managing the fucking 180 in the ShikaNeji dynamic compared to BtB without making it redundant. Lots of writers fall into the same patterns over and over until it becomes stale, you absolutely do not belong in that group

Uuuuuum, yeah that's it for now. I won't talk about That Man because I don't want to think about him *sniffs disdainfully* what a turd

So back to it I hop!

*the wild friend just drops onto the floor and keeps reading*

Dammit, Wild Friend...you're getting my Dastardly Twins emotional...

I'm so damned chuffed by this amazing feedback you're generously taking the time out to leave me...Thank You.

Also, I adore the dynamic between Neji and Tenten. She deserves so much more than canon gave her and I get the vague feeling you agree xD

Oh absolutely. I'd have loved to explore her more. I know Kishimoto's focus was predominantly on the male characters (understandably, I suppose, given the genre), which is why the women are interesting to flesh out. Especially secondary characters. I mean don't get me wrong, a deep-dive into Sakura would also be interesting. I touched on it a bit in HHU, but it's too easy to go down character rabbit holes. Must. Contain. Myself.

I'm also still very intrigued with how you write DID.

Thank you, Wild Friend. I hope it was respectfully written within the bounds of creative licence and storytelling. I had to do my homework surrounding this condition for an OC. No research is wasted.

I'd also like to say you deserve a reward for managing the fucking 180 in the ShikaNeji dynamic compared to BtB without making it redundant. Lots of writers fall into the same patterns over and over until it becomes stale, you absolutely do not belong in that group

I'm super happy you think so, Luv. Fortunately their own personal arcs help a lot with that...until of course....THE UNSPEAKABLE CANON HAPPENING...

[mymedicine]

hiiii i just wanted to let you know how good your writing is! i've been looking for literally months for a harry fic that makes me feel the ways yours does. like i'm literally holding myself back from reading all of your masterlist at once. thank you so mch for your writing :-)

YEEEEEET IM SO HAPPY YOU ENJOY MY WORK!!!!!! THANK YOUUUUU PLS COME BACK AND LEMME KNOW WHAT U THINK IF YOU DO READ MORE OF MY THINGS!!!!❤️💖💞💕