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Before this falls off page one once again, I'd like to give thanks to Renss for highlighting the Gold Vickie Cross this AAR shared with Wannabe Tatar - I was very proud, to be sure. Thanks for all your votes. They were hard earned.
I'd also like to say thanks to Mythos1978. I am so pleased to know you've read through this, especially at such a late date. Gosh...what's it been since I finished? December of 2006, to be exact.
It's still kind of odd not having this story rumble around in the old noodle. Thanks for reading and giving me a comment to let me know, Mythos.
I'd also like to say thanks to Mythos1978. I am so pleased to know you've read through this, especially at such a late date. Gosh...what's it been since I finished? December of 2006, to be exact.
It's still kind of odd not having this story rumble around in the old noodle. Thanks for reading and giving me a comment to let me know, Mythos. 
With all the Westerns that have been in the news (on screens) lately, this would certainly be a good companion!
I, frankly, never thought I could become interested in a western theme. The whole genre seems dry. And I'd honestly thought of the Civil War in the same way.
Coz, you turned all that around, and made an interesting, deep story about stuff I didn't think I was even interested in! Great work! A classic, to be sure. And -- I still say! -- publication quality (needs to be cleaned up, but all the elements are there).
Rensslaer
I, frankly, never thought I could become interested in a western theme. The whole genre seems dry. And I'd honestly thought of the Civil War in the same way.
Coz, you turned all that around, and made an interesting, deep story about stuff I didn't think I was even interested in! Great work! A classic, to be sure. And -- I still say! -- publication quality (needs to be cleaned up, but all the elements are there).
Rensslaer
Thanks for moving this great tale back on the front page, Rens. I think it would be great for a new generation of authAARs and readAARs to discover this work and perhaps gain insight and inspiration from its (numerous) pages. And, having just been overwhelmed by the new western classic 3:10 to Yuma, I think it would do this old hand good to revisit this unforgettable tale. To get even a revised (or rewritten) edition of this in print, I think coz would have to negotiate some sort of deal with the Paradox bosses, but it would be worth it. Who can resist?
So to all those who are clicking on this thread for the first time, I say two things: prepare to spend several days or maybe weeks reading this AAR from start to finish, and enjoy!
So to all those who are clicking on this thread for the first time, I say two things: prepare to spend several days or maybe weeks reading this AAR from start to finish, and enjoy!
Renss - thanks so much for the bump! This poor thing doesn't get to spend too much time at the top anymore so it's nice to see her there for just a little while once again. I hope some might take a look and see what it has to offer as I am immensely proud of this AAR. And it's an honor to think I got you to enjoy a western/civial war genre piece. Though truth be told, you should check out a few others (at least in film.) Lot's of good stuff out there, especially by John Ford and with John Wayne (two conservatives for you, too. )
And Hajji, I appreciate the kind words. I too saw 3:10 to Yuma and both enjoyed the western and recalled how so many of the classics were part of my inspiration when writing this. I imagine had I seen it as I was writing this, a few bits and pieces might have made it in here. In fact, as I watched Ben Foster, I thought he would be perfect to play Hollis. Watcha think?
I'd love to see what others think if they read through it now so feel free to comment, even after all this time.
And it's an honor to think I got you to enjoy a western/civial war genre piece. Though truth be told, you should check out a few others (at least in film.) Lot's of good stuff out there, especially by John Ford and with John Wayne (two conservatives for you, too. )And Hajji, I appreciate the kind words. I too saw 3:10 to Yuma and both enjoyed the western and recalled how so many of the classics were part of my inspiration when writing this. I imagine had I seen it as I was writing this, a few bits and pieces might have made it in here. In fact, as I watched Ben Foster, I thought he would be perfect to play Hollis. Watcha think?
I'd love to see what others think if they read through it now so feel free to comment, even after all this time.
Well, they say classics are years in the making, and Into the West was no exception. The ending felt... right. Sorry I couldn't comment as much as I wanted, but it gave me the chance to read the story in long stretches without waiting for each segment. There's something delicious about that. Oh, and thanks for the little shout-out. It's nice to know I once had a little influence around here.
My hat's off to you, pardner.
My hat's off to you, pardner.
Thanks so much for reading through this rather large work, LD! And thanks so much for your kind words. It's been over a year now since this was over and I still miss it rattling around in my head. And thanks for the bump as you don't see this old girl near the top anymore.
I am honored that so many feel this a classic work. I aimed to try and work on some of the things the "masters" had done and this was the result. I could not have done it without that inspiration. That so many enjoyed it and still think on it well means I did it right. That makes me extremely proud.
Thanks again.
I am honored that so many feel this a classic work. I aimed to try and work on some of the things the "masters" had done and this was the result. I could not have done it without that inspiration. That so many enjoyed it and still think on it well means I did it right. That makes me extremely proud.
Thanks again.
Coz,
I'm reading through Newt Gingrich's 3 alternate histories of the Civil War (started with the 3rd book -- Never Call Retreat, and am now on #1 Gettysburg), and it's bringing back fond memories of Into the West.
Your styles are different, of course. He moves from character to character quite a bit, returning from time to time. But there are similarities in the detail he/you put into character development and atmosphere.
This does remain a classic! Just thought you might like a hat tip on Gingrich, if you haven't heard of them before (which I'm reasonably sure you have -- just checking, for others' sake too!).
Renss
I'm reading through Newt Gingrich's 3 alternate histories of the Civil War (started with the 3rd book -- Never Call Retreat, and am now on #1 Gettysburg), and it's bringing back fond memories of Into the West.
Your styles are different, of course. He moves from character to character quite a bit, returning from time to time. But there are similarities in the detail he/you put into character development and atmosphere.
This does remain a classic! Just thought you might like a hat tip on Gingrich, if you haven't heard of them before (which I'm reasonably sure you have -- just checking, for others' sake too!).
Renss
I just noticed this bump, Renss. Thank you for that. It is wonderful to know this story remains in people's minds so long after I finished it. I have not read those books by old Newty but have heard about them and may give them a try. I admit, whenever I read or watch anything associated with the war or the old west now, I myself think back on these characters. I miss them.
Thanks again for the bump. I'd love to know if anyone else takes the chance to read through this now. Feel free to speak up. And note, you can find the pdfs for easy reading in my Inkwell post.
Thanks again for the bump. I'd love to know if anyone else takes the chance to read through this now. Feel free to speak up.
And note, you can find the pdfs for easy reading in my Inkwell post.
I just read through this wonderful AAR in the last few days. Simply amazing, both the plot and the characters themselves. My only question: are your other AARs this good?
His other AARs are all very good, but alas we haven't managed to persuade him to get back writing a couple of them. The Lion in Winter though is completed and very well worth a read.
Wow! I really have to admit I never expected this AAR to see another comment.
I am so grateful that you have endeavored to read it von Sachsen! I said it many times during the writing of this AAR - that one manages to read through a long work like this - the time and effort involved (and this isn't even one of the longer ones anymore) is amazing to me, having done it myself a time or two. It really means a lot!
I'm really pleased to hear you enjoyed it as it remains my best work on the forum as a whole work. As for the other AARs, as stnylan mentions, I have some other narratives but the more recent ones remain incomplete sadly. I've been working on something outside of the forum that keeps my narrative juices flowing. However, I have several AARs, all of which are located in my Inkwell post. Have a look see. I'd love to hear what you thought of any of those as well. From comedy and gameplay to history and narrative, I've written in pretty much every style at one point or another. As good as this? Not so sure. I'll let others be the judge of that.
And thanks for the recommendation, stnylan. Eagle in Winter actually has one last breath in her hopefully...a CrusadAARs Chalice run if I can convince someone to run the contest.
I am so grateful that you have endeavored to read it von Sachsen! I said it many times during the writing of this AAR - that one manages to read through a long work like this - the time and effort involved (and this isn't even one of the longer ones anymore
) is amazing to me, having done it myself a time or two. It really means a lot! I'm really pleased to hear you enjoyed it as it remains my best work on the forum as a whole work. As for the other AARs, as stnylan mentions, I have some other narratives but the more recent ones remain incomplete sadly. I've been working on something outside of the forum that keeps my narrative juices flowing. However, I have several AARs, all of which are located in my Inkwell post. Have a look see. I'd love to hear what you thought of any of those as well. From comedy and gameplay to history and narrative, I've written in pretty much every style at one point or another. As good as this? Not so sure. I'll let others be the judge of that.
And thanks for the recommendation, stnylan. Eagle in Winter actually has one last breath in her hopefully...a CrusadAARs Chalice run if I can convince someone to run the contest.
I hesitate to post in a thread this long dormant, but I just watched Open Range again last night after finishing up the final season of Yellowstone and it made me think of this work. I recall how much fun it was to write and what a teaching moment that was as this was the first true book I wrote. And reading back on the last messages was fun. I remember how the ending landed and how much I appreciated all of those that had taken the time to read this long work.
I actually started considering a sequel, but I'm not sure after reading the ending again that it is proper. It ends precisely where I wanted it to end and there is no need for more. But if anyone wishes to read it, you can find pdfs that should still work on my blog and a link in my Inkwell.
These days, there aren't that many folks that were around when first written, but thanks again for following and helping this young (at the time) writAAR work on his craft. Gosh. This is almost 20 years old. I've got four more books and a novella completed since plus the current work that has become mammoth. Yet this was the first real novel. I would have never done the others if this had not worked. That is entirely thanks to this place and to you folks that supported the effort. That's why AARland is the best!
I actually started considering a sequel, but I'm not sure after reading the ending again that it is proper. It ends precisely where I wanted it to end and there is no need for more. But if anyone wishes to read it, you can find pdfs that should still work on my blog and a link in my Inkwell.
These days, there aren't that many folks that were around when first written, but thanks again for following and helping this young (at the time) writAAR work on his craft. Gosh. This is almost 20 years old. I've got four more books and a novella completed since plus the current work that has become mammoth. Yet this was the first real novel. I would have never done the others if this had not worked. That is entirely thanks to this place and to you folks that supported the effort. That's why AARland is the best!
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I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I happened to see just now that you'd posted in this thread this year, @coz1. Great to have an excuse to spend a little bit of time with it again after all these years (even if originally I was already coming to it late!). It remains a fantastic achievement, and one you should have every right to be proud of.
Here's to this fine tale, and to all the other tales it launched in its wake!
Here's to this fine tale, and to all the other tales it launched in its wake!
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@coz1 I was surprised to find a flag for this in notifications. Somehow I missed your post in May.
I still have fond memories of this work and Sonny and his travails. Quite a coming of age story, and a great debut novel.
Rensslaer
I still have fond memories of this work and Sonny and his travails. Quite a coming of age story, and a great debut novel.
Rensslaer