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More from alexreynard
I wrote this way back in 1999 when I was still in high school, so be kind.
This is the first really serious writing I ever did. I'd dabbled a bit before this, but most of what I produced was a mountain of mistakes with tiny gleams of talent occasionaly shining through. I worked my _ass_ off on this story. I think it took me nearly a year to write. As soon as I finished, I asked everyone I could lock eyes with to read it and offer suggestions. That, more than aaything, helped my writing grow.
This story was the first time I fell in love with my characters. Whatever they felt in the story, I felt too. More than a few times I'd be crying my eyes out at the keyboard. This is still how I write, and I'm convinced that truly caring about your creations is the only way to make others care about them too.
I've done very little revisions on this. It's raw, and obviously a first attempt, but I still love it. It's not a commentary on any one group or cause; it's about *all* pointless conflict, everywhere. More than anything, I hope that when you read it, it makes you feel something real.
This is the first really serious writing I ever did. I'd dabbled a bit before this, but most of what I produced was a mountain of mistakes with tiny gleams of talent occasionaly shining through. I worked my _ass_ off on this story. I think it took me nearly a year to write. As soon as I finished, I asked everyone I could lock eyes with to read it and offer suggestions. That, more than aaything, helped my writing grow.
This story was the first time I fell in love with my characters. Whatever they felt in the story, I felt too. More than a few times I'd be crying my eyes out at the keyboard. This is still how I write, and I'm convinced that truly caring about your creations is the only way to make others care about them too.
I've done very little revisions on this. It's raw, and obviously a first attempt, but I still love it. It's not a commentary on any one group or cause; it's about *all* pointless conflict, everywhere. More than anything, I hope that when you read it, it makes you feel something real.
Category Story / General Furry Art
Species Vulpine (Other)
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 97.5 kB
I should not have read this right before bedtime. Now I'm going to cry in my dreams. This is GOOD, Alex. You wrote this in 1999? How come you haven't let me see this until now? It might be the late hour...it might be the emotion...but my nitpicking self couldn't find anything at all wrong with this story.
Perhaps it'll spur me onward in the development of my own predator/prey story, set in this world in a different time period, when quite a different compromise manifests...
Wow. This is powerful stuff. And that bit about it being about *all* pointless conflict, everywhere--despite the obvious inspiration of my still-not-quite-finished "Crossfire" story, yeah, that applies there, too.
*hugs*
-Alfador
Perhaps it'll spur me onward in the development of my own predator/prey story, set in this world in a different time period, when quite a different compromise manifests...
Wow. This is powerful stuff. And that bit about it being about *all* pointless conflict, everywhere--despite the obvious inspiration of my still-not-quite-finished "Crossfire" story, yeah, that applies there, too.
*hugs*
-Alfador
"Now I'm going to cry in my dreams."
Gollywow! I'd hoped to do something powerful with this story. thank you very much for letting me know I succeeded.
"but my nitpicking self couldn't find anything at all wrong with this story."
Like I said, I did take this to uncountable people, asking for their help revising it. I think the editing took as long or longer than writing the story itself!
"when quite a different compromise manifests..."
I'd originally set out to write three sequels to this, showing Alex and Sonya's life after the incident and how they both become icons of the desegregationist movement to tear down the fences forever. I didn't write them for a lot of reasons. One; I thought there was no way I could do it without it just looking like a carbon copy of the civil rights movement. Two; my eventual solution would have widespread consentual vore, and since "Against Instinct" was written for furry novices (like myself), I didn't think I could pull that off without weirding people out. Three; the ending just works so much better if you let yourself imagine how everything turns out...
"despite the obvious inspiration of my still-not-quite-finished "Crossfire" story"
*raised eyebrow* O RLY? Yes, I somehow was inspired by a story written seven years after this one? Fascinating, Captain... ;3
I'm glad you liked it, mi amigo.
Gollywow! I'd hoped to do something powerful with this story. thank you very much for letting me know I succeeded.
"but my nitpicking self couldn't find anything at all wrong with this story."
Like I said, I did take this to uncountable people, asking for their help revising it. I think the editing took as long or longer than writing the story itself!
"when quite a different compromise manifests..."
I'd originally set out to write three sequels to this, showing Alex and Sonya's life after the incident and how they both become icons of the desegregationist movement to tear down the fences forever. I didn't write them for a lot of reasons. One; I thought there was no way I could do it without it just looking like a carbon copy of the civil rights movement. Two; my eventual solution would have widespread consentual vore, and since "Against Instinct" was written for furry novices (like myself), I didn't think I could pull that off without weirding people out. Three; the ending just works so much better if you let yourself imagine how everything turns out...
"despite the obvious inspiration of my still-not-quite-finished "Crossfire" story"
*raised eyebrow* O RLY? Yes, I somehow was inspired by a story written seven years after this one? Fascinating, Captain... ;3
I'm glad you liked it, mi amigo.
"Yes, I somehow was inspired by a story written seven years after this one?"
What? No! I meant that despite my story having been inspired by certain events in and preceding World War II...it's meant in the same way as yours is, in a broader sense than being strictly historical.
I had no idea my grammar could be interpreted as claiming *you* were inspired by *me*. Curse the ambiguities of English!! *shakes pawfist*
What? No! I meant that despite my story having been inspired by certain events in and preceding World War II...it's meant in the same way as yours is, in a broader sense than being strictly historical.
I had no idea my grammar could be interpreted as claiming *you* were inspired by *me*. Curse the ambiguities of English!! *shakes pawfist*
Dude, I was kidding! Didn't you see the winky face? --> ;3 You're my bro!
OMG, this is totally unrelated to you, but I just got done replying to this other person who did sorta the same thing (misinterpreted something I wrote), but instead of being reasonable (like you) they just totally went ballistic and called me all these stupid names like 'asshat' and 'fuckstick' and basically acted like I should commit seppuku for the unholy crime of offending them. What the heck is happening lately? I'm running into all these blazingly angry jerks who think it's their right to rant and scream at everything they dislike, whether they're in the right or not, and then act all horrified if anyone ever says anything back to them. Where is this mindset coming from? I came to FA for art, not constant, pointless arguing! *sighs from weariness*
Do you have people doing this to you too?
OMG, this is totally unrelated to you, but I just got done replying to this other person who did sorta the same thing (misinterpreted something I wrote), but instead of being reasonable (like you) they just totally went ballistic and called me all these stupid names like 'asshat' and 'fuckstick' and basically acted like I should commit seppuku for the unholy crime of offending them. What the heck is happening lately? I'm running into all these blazingly angry jerks who think it's their right to rant and scream at everything they dislike, whether they're in the right or not, and then act all horrified if anyone ever says anything back to them. Where is this mindset coming from? I came to FA for art, not constant, pointless arguing! *sighs from weariness*
Do you have people doing this to you too?
I thought the winky face was "I'm offended, but you're forgiven 'cause I know you're cool and didn't mean anything narsty by it." I didn't realize it really meant "I'm kidding about the whole premise behind this comment; I didn't really misinterpret ya." *huggles*
And no, I tend not to have people do that kind of shit to me...but I also tend to go out of my way to be unbearably precise in my statements SPECIFICALLY to avoid having people misinterpret me and get riled up.
As for the origins of this behavior, I seem to remember something from Penny Arcade about "Internet: Opinion + Total Anonymity = Utter Asshole." In short, people behave on the Internet the way they do when they think nobody's looking, rather than the way most people in real life would see them.
There's a flip side, too: people who are complete jerks in real life, but smarm up to people online to try to convince them they're a nice guy/girl, when they really aren't. Those kinds of people tend to lose the camouflage pretty quickly, though.
In short, it's really easy to conceal who you really are on the Internet. TEMPORARILY. It's also really easy to show your true colors.
And I try to be nice, not because I want people to think I'm a nice guy. Because I want to BE a nice guy. Because I happen to think it's a really good idea if everybody were nice to each other. And a little bit Naughty. ;3
And no, I tend not to have people do that kind of shit to me...but I also tend to go out of my way to be unbearably precise in my statements SPECIFICALLY to avoid having people misinterpret me and get riled up.
As for the origins of this behavior, I seem to remember something from Penny Arcade about "Internet: Opinion + Total Anonymity = Utter Asshole." In short, people behave on the Internet the way they do when they think nobody's looking, rather than the way most people in real life would see them.
There's a flip side, too: people who are complete jerks in real life, but smarm up to people online to try to convince them they're a nice guy/girl, when they really aren't. Those kinds of people tend to lose the camouflage pretty quickly, though.
In short, it's really easy to conceal who you really are on the Internet. TEMPORARILY. It's also really easy to show your true colors.
And I try to be nice, not because I want people to think I'm a nice guy. Because I want to BE a nice guy. Because I happen to think it's a really good idea if everybody were nice to each other. And a little bit Naughty. ;3
"I thought the winky face was "I'm offended, but you're forgiven 'cause I know you're cool and didn't mean anything narsty by it." I didn't realize it really meant "I'm kidding about the whole premise behind this comment; I didn't really misinterpret ya." *huggles*"
I do apologize for the confusion. *hugs and buttpats*
"I also tend to go out of my way to be unbearably precise in my statements SPECIFICALLY to avoid having people misinterpret me and get riled up."
Ugh. To these people, it doesn't matter. They don't even read what they get mad at anyway. They're just looking for something to get 'offended' about so they can feel like they have a reason for being viciously rude to people. I'll bet a lot of them are completely powerless in real life and have jobs as retail clerks.
"And I try to be nice, not because I want people to think I'm a nice guy. Because I want to BE a nice guy. Because I happen to think it's a really good idea if everybody were nice to each other. And a little bit Naughty. ;3 "
Now see, that's so very close to my own philosophy? Why does it feel so often like we're in the minority on this?
I do apologize for the confusion. *hugs and buttpats*
"I also tend to go out of my way to be unbearably precise in my statements SPECIFICALLY to avoid having people misinterpret me and get riled up."
Ugh. To these people, it doesn't matter. They don't even read what they get mad at anyway. They're just looking for something to get 'offended' about so they can feel like they have a reason for being viciously rude to people. I'll bet a lot of them are completely powerless in real life and have jobs as retail clerks.
"And I try to be nice, not because I want people to think I'm a nice guy. Because I want to BE a nice guy. Because I happen to think it's a really good idea if everybody were nice to each other. And a little bit Naughty. ;3 "
Now see, that's so very close to my own philosophy? Why does it feel so often like we're in the minority on this?
Hmmm... Nah. Cheryl's evil, but this isn't her thing. Why would she need to pick on internet people when she's got power in real life to do it to real people and get away with it? She'd be more likely to drop a razor blade in a collection box for the homeless.
Now, Momma Dalton from "Down In The Dumps"... If she ever got a computer, I could *totally* see her as a holier-than-thou flame fanatic!
Now, Momma Dalton from "Down In The Dumps"... If she ever got a computer, I could *totally* see her as a holier-than-thou flame fanatic!
Mmm, good points. I'd forgotten about Jabba the Wolf. I can just see a gigantic wolf bitch (hey, it's an accurate word in more than one sense!) perching her enormous ass in an office chair that creaks continually under her weight, hunched over a keyboard while little tongues of flame emit from the network cable.
Let me just chime in with what others have already said: this story is wonderful.
I read it before going to bed yesterday, and while reading it, I felt the fear, the anguish, the hunger, and above all, the love of Alex and Sonya within my own heart. Then I went to sleep, and dreamed of a world where predators and prey could coexist in peace ... (Really!)
Thank you so very much for it!
I read it before going to bed yesterday, and while reading it, I felt the fear, the anguish, the hunger, and above all, the love of Alex and Sonya within my own heart. Then I went to sleep, and dreamed of a world where predators and prey could coexist in peace ... (Really!)
Thank you so very much for it!
You're welcome and Thank You Too! I actually influenced your dreams? Neato!
Of course, this takes place way early in the history of my furriverse. Most of my other stories take place decades later where the idea of discrimination between pred & prey is ludicrous. (In fact, now that I think about it, most of my stories' relationships are pred/prey. I like diversity!)
Of course, this takes place way early in the history of my furriverse. Most of my other stories take place decades later where the idea of discrimination between pred & prey is ludicrous. (In fact, now that I think about it, most of my stories' relationships are pred/prey. I like diversity!)
Having found and read this (in one sitting) thanks to Alfador, I have to say I'm floored, Alex. I've read your work at the... other site... that you're posted at ;) but for all this is from '99, it sure doesn't seem like it!
I'm amazed with how good this was! *goes to read through the rest of your stories merrily*
I'm amazed with how good this was! *goes to read through the rest of your stories merrily*
After reading this and "Held in Captivity" again (I kinda skimmed through them the first time) I came to a nagging realization: If there were non-evolved animals still around, why didn't the preds just eat those instead of the preys? I mean, the humans may be gone but I imagine the cattle farms and such are still around.
You must not have seen my first attempt at a novel, back in high school.
Probably because NO ONE's ever seen it. Because it's bad. _Real_ bad. Like, not Stephanie Meyer bad, but in the same neighborhood. At least it gave me a chance to see all the places where i sucked and try to change them. And to rely a little less on rampant plagiarism the next time around.
Probably because NO ONE's ever seen it. Because it's bad. _Real_ bad. Like, not Stephanie Meyer bad, but in the same neighborhood. At least it gave me a chance to see all the places where i sucked and try to change them. And to rely a little less on rampant plagiarism the next time around.
Now how did I miss this one? Cute bunnies, hero foxes, and romance in a sewer... ok that last one may seem odd, but I love Ninja Turtles, so its all good to me. It was a cute and intriguing read. I particularly liked how our hero laid in the ambulance and had to tell himself not to think about the future. Thats a sign of a good leader.
As always, thanks for writing this.
As always, thanks for writing this.
>ok that last one may seem odd, but I love Ninja Turtles, so its all good to me.
LOL!
>I particularly liked how our hero laid in the ambulance and had to tell himself not to think about the future.
Yeah, even though this was my first, I still knew enough that it'd be unrealistic to give this an ending where everything gets neatly resolved. This is an early step for their society, that's all. And I hoped that, by showing that it happened the way it did, I showed that probably a lot of people were privately feeling about the war and about the other side the way Alex did; they just wanted it all to be over with.
LOL!
>I particularly liked how our hero laid in the ambulance and had to tell himself not to think about the future.
Yeah, even though this was my first, I still knew enough that it'd be unrealistic to give this an ending where everything gets neatly resolved. This is an early step for their society, that's all. And I hoped that, by showing that it happened the way it did, I showed that probably a lot of people were privately feeling about the war and about the other side the way Alex did; they just wanted it all to be over with.
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