Thank you so so much for writing Game Theory. And COFT. (And Ice Plague, too!) I feel like I have learned *so* much and have such a different perspective on the world because of your writing. Jack in SaL taught me that recovery is a process and that there's no easy fix for it. But Augus and Gwyn in FT taught me what the range of people could be, and that there's *so* much more beneath the surface than we may ever know, and that even when a character is a 'villain' and does horrible things (1/2?)
that have consequences and even horrible effects on other people, it doesn't mean that they 'should' be hated for what they've done; it also means that just because a character has reasons and justifications for their behavior, we don't have to condone their actions even while liking them as a character.
Augus was first villain I ever truly *liked*, as a person, believe it or not, both despite and because of his actions. Previously, I'd found villains fascinating, but at the end of the daythey were villains, and they either got punished and the story was happy, or they got away with it, and it was a tragedy. Augus taught me that a villain of one story could be the hero of another *without changing his character*. That he could love and be loved, that he could try to right wrongs or merely grow in a new direction, that he could continue to make flawed decisions and act wrongly, and that I could like him despite all that *without being a horrible person myself*. That he was no less worthy of my love just because he was flawed.
And I feel like all this has helped me to be more understanding of those around me: they may do something that hurts me, but what are their reasons for it? Is there anything I could do to help them? Someone may project an uncrackable facade, but it doesn't mean that they don't struggle just as much as I do - maybe even in the same ways. And it's also taught me to be more understanding of myself. Previously, I felt so much that I was always letting myself down, I had an internal standard that I was constantly failing, and I feared if others saw that, they would agree that I wasn't worth it. Or would need to try harder or something.
But Augus and Gwyn aren't perfect (far from it!) and yet so many people love them anyway. Both despite their flaws *and* because of them. And even still, that doesn't stop me from wanting them to become the best and healthiest versions of themselves that they can be. I can love them through the process and grow right alongside them because of what I've seen in them. And I might not be the 'heroine' of my own story (at best, I've usually seen myself as a 'sidekick'), but that doesn't mean people won't like me either.
Finally, thank you for all of the interaction that you've provided. I'd left comments and reviews before, but previously they were rarely personal, just a vaguely encouraging 'thank you'. And I always wondered how any one reader could ever have an impact on a writer. You taught me that even when there are a plethora of comments, each comment can still be given care and attention and that they still mean something to you. That they are no less worthwhile for being one of many. (And when there aren't many comments, having an encouragement can be a treasure from heaven!) You've had a tremendous positive impact on my life and I'll say it again and again: Thank you. Thank you. [This got really long.] ~MK
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(MK, I am frankly in awe that all of this came through (it was seven messages folks) and that Tumblr didn’t eat one or three parts of the messages in this chain. I can only assume you are favoured by the Tumblr gods and/or sacrificed some kind of soft furry forest animal to get this incredible gift.)
Secondly, I don’t have much to say to this. I feel like your messages stand on their own, and really, I just... I completely agree with everything you’ve written. Also the impact that readers can have on writers. Honestly I think there’s some writers for whom readers don’t impact much, even in fandom, but I know for myself, as tired as it is for folks to hear me say it over and over again, I wouldn’t be here writing Fae Tales, and I don’t actually know if I’d even be here at all, if it wasn’t for the genuine sharing of feelings that readers / folks offer, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. It’s had a tremendous, positive impact on my life as well, in ways that will continue to be quite indescribable. So I shall sit here and write instead. :)
