tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post3027486282780172962..comments2023-05-26T08:10:43.391-07:00Comments on A Fistful of Awesome: WWA Pre-Release Thoughts and Why I Was About To QuitTJ Klunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147829025709977465noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-87796598649977148342012-05-26T12:29:34.253-07:002012-05-26T12:29:34.253-07:00Dude. You are awesome. Keep up the good work.Dude. You are awesome. Keep up the good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-74483212038568200212012-05-05T00:08:16.940-07:002012-05-05T00:08:16.940-07:00I can not express how profoundly thankful I am tha...I can not express how profoundly thankful I am that you haven't thrown in the towel completely despite the adversity you've faced. <br />I cannot even begin to understand how it feels to have a labour of love such as a novel you've written be accused of being plagiarized.<br /><br />Just so you know, I loved both BOATK and WWA, they made me laugh and cry (which I'm not so prone to do) and the characters touched me, which is a big compliment, for the most part charcters are ones you can take em or leave em, but none of the characters that make up the family of BOATK are such, they all spoke to me, and I'm re-rereading BOATK now since it's such a good story.<br /><br />And Oh you horrible tease, leaving us where you did in WWA, Now I'm going to be forced to imagine The Kid at college, upsetting the whole campus while running semi-environmental terrorist drives and trying to make the cafeteria vegetarian with well thought out slides and presentation. not to mention cop Dominic in his uniform realising he should have told The Kid his feelings and then moving after them, and Otter finding a new path after photography! Ooh and maybe a little brother for The Kid to join the household! (seriously the image of Otter holding his nephew, slew me on the spot!!) and Bear dealing with teaching. Oh the ups and downs of life.<br /> yours sincerely,<br />AxelAxel Hjaltalinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00762962498889566310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-21092701821031696952012-05-02T19:57:10.935-07:002012-05-02T19:57:10.935-07:00Thank u for your books it's really incredible ...Thank u for your books it's really incredible how your books touch my heart. I just finish reading WWA. It made me laugh so hard at bears musings. So thank you for your incredible way with words. Don't ever stop looking forward to kids and Dominic storyexpose30https://www.blogger.com/profile/18089487362970006437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-71557925997564700952012-04-30T18:01:42.119-07:002012-04-30T18:01:42.119-07:00O.M.G. I just finished reading WWA and it made me ...O.M.G. I just finished reading WWA and it made me cry and it made me laugh out loud, that it made my son came into my bedroom wanting to know what was so funny. (the courtroom scene. hilarious!) Please don't quit, I'm so attached to these charaters. P.S. I didn't doubt one minute that you plagiarize BOATK.opallpeghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03503619557574042714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-60692739015964722332012-04-29T16:54:23.569-07:002012-04-29T16:54:23.569-07:00(no spoilers)Finished WWA last night, and....I hav...(no spoilers)Finished WWA last night, and....I have to tell you, I really, really hope that these characters continue to talk to you. Heck, I hope they nag you, yell in your ear, plague you at night 'til you can't sleep, keep a running dialogue worthy of Bear going in your head! I *need* to read the rest of the story!! We have to know what's happening with the Kid...and, and, oh, I can't stand it!Ladycelthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07185933901407083368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-45196664927214331612012-04-29T08:56:02.758-07:002012-04-29T08:56:02.758-07:00I am so happy you haven't quit, your writing i...I am so happy you haven't quit, your writing is beautiful! I love the Kid, Bear and Otter. WWA did make me cry and laugh, it was brilliant. Can I just say as well that E-mail was beautiful and it actually made me cry! Well done to you for staying to writing, that plagiarism was bullshit! And thank you TJ, for BOATK and WWA they're both amazing!(I read WWA in one day, stayed up until 4am, my eyes were burning, but I couldn't not read it!) Brilliant book I didn't actually think it was possible for me to love the characters more but somehow I do lol :)EatAkitkathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12336825253632494776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-28423114883944082852012-04-28T18:55:54.478-07:002012-04-28T18:55:54.478-07:00Thank god you didn't quit! And why should you?...Thank god you didn't quit! And why should you? You didn't do anything wrong. Believe in yourself as we have believed in you. Prove the doubters wrong by keeping on writing. The quality of your works will speak louder than words, and it'll show everyone that you are the real deal. A writer as talented as you don't need to steal anyone else's stupid ideas. I wanna take my Burn copy (and my WWA copy too now that I've read it) and slap all the haters in the face with it while yelling "See?! See what he can do?! Screw you and your slanderous lies!" *ahem* So yeah... good for you, you didn't give up. heh :DIriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05235987184562774803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-36930683409113248602012-04-27T11:47:46.976-07:002012-04-27T11:47:46.976-07:00TJ,
I bought and read WWA this morning. It's b...TJ,<br />I bought and read WWA this morning. It's been a long time since a book has made laugh out loud so many times. I have read BOATK many times but I think I'll read WWA more. Bear's inner monologues are the best...I have them all the time. I hope that someday down the road I get to read about Kid and Dominic..... I think everyone needs time off to rest, relax, and focus on other things. You do make a difference to people with your stories and I wanted to say Thank You.amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10907333450774705169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-47879621660827791692012-04-27T10:10:46.985-07:002012-04-27T10:10:46.985-07:00I echo the comments above..... i'm so glad you...I echo the comments above..... i'm so glad you have found your mojo again or hopefully will do soon. If you find a way to help the young man that sent the email (and he's cat) count me in.... i very worried about him to.skes2002https://www.blogger.com/profile/10290053037672337214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-53352995779023453722012-04-27T06:43:34.656-07:002012-04-27T06:43:34.656-07:00TJ, TJ, TJ
Please don't leave us this way!
You...TJ, TJ, TJ<br />Please don't leave us this way!<br />Your writing makes us happy<br />I know my prose is sappy<br />You bring your characters to life<br />To stop writing would cut like a knife!<br />Your books save young gays<br />Who need hope, and to find their way<br />Fuck all those doubters<br />You're great without em'<br />Keep bringing your magic<br />To stop would be tragic<br />We love you TJ, we really do.Lynn Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07562098611445116642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-86404804231824998392012-04-27T05:43:27.014-07:002012-04-27T05:43:27.014-07:00I literally have just finished WWA a moment ago. A...I literally have just finished WWA a moment ago. And loved it. I commend you, both for your work, your humor, and your wonderful story lines. I was never really partial nor interested in informing myself about the intense critiques that I have heard about, but I feel that in cases like these a person should fall back upon one of simple concepts that I believe in the most: a great story is a great story. No two ways about it, no pussyfooting around. What not only goes into the story to create it and what the writer is thinking while working is for the author to know and the readers to enjoy and envy the magic and ability that is employed in the craft. WWA made me laugh so hard I cried and made me so emotional...I cried some more. It was wonderful. I completely agree with the fact that you deserve a break and three novels in eight months is not only a wondrous accomplishment, it is almost a miracle, as seen with the schedules many, if one could call them, "mainstream" authors keep. As for the man that wrote you the email, it truly saddens me every day to see more and more evidence of the closed-mindedness of people, and I hope that we can keep on going strong and fighting against it in every way we can. I wish him the best humanly possible and that he finds people who care and respect him for who he is, not what he is expected to be. For that is a right that everyone has and that no one should have the power to take away. If he's in California, I hope he can find his way to the Bay Area I as well call home, where he will definitely has the possibility of finding many more chances of acceptance. TJ, keep doing what you love. Keep writing. For you do make a difference, and the characters you create truly take life within your readers and stay with us even after the last page has long been turned. I, as a fan, am glad you decided not to quit, and, as a person I am grateful for all you do and all you stand for as a writer in what is, unfortunately, still a niche that holds greatness that is still sadly not as widely known as it should be.<br />I wish you all the best.lp9https://www.blogger.com/profile/14501185734931494006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-32623987111956853292012-04-26T21:04:02.746-07:002012-04-26T21:04:02.746-07:00I just bought my copy of WWA!!!
Woo-hoo!! I know...I just bought my copy of WWA!!! <br /><br />Woo-hoo!! I know what I'm going to be reading (and rereading) over the week-end! <br /><br />BlueBlueSimplicityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423325935796735316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-8505419563523600152012-04-24T08:05:14.790-07:002012-04-24T08:05:14.790-07:00Bear, Otter and the Kid is fab,it made me laugh, c...Bear, Otter and the Kid is fab,it made me laugh, cry and even now, I always think of the scene when Bear is lying on the beach having just met Jonah, for me, that scene is life. It's lying on the beach thinking everything is over, and then Tyson comes along and makes Bear see it's alright, and he goes back and he talks...it's an amazingly touching scene. The Kid makes me laugh, his poetry is fantastic, makes me giggle and smile and you know what? I think he is perfectly realistic for a gifted child. The three characters got me through the start of my second year of uni, I read it for the first time September 2011, even if they are fictional characters, they made me cherish the family and friends I do have, I called my Dad up just after reading it, to tell him I love him, and to Thank him. BOATK is about life, love and trials, it's about learning to breathe through the shit and see the sun behind the clouds, that's what it means to me. If I can turn out, to be half as talented as you, in my own work, I'll be happy.<br /><br />To the man living out of his car, he's a hero to me. If I was from the USA, I'd go and find him and take him back to my house, but I live in the UK...and there isn't much I can do from here...is there?<br /><br />Take a break, you deserve it :) xxxKJBirchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04781181549840540060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-59802803047502684182012-04-21T21:05:16.235-07:002012-04-21T21:05:16.235-07:00I love the comments left here and can't say it...I love the comments left here and can't say it any better than they did.<br /><br />And....we'll be right here waiting for you (OMG a Richard Marx song! before your time, kiddo).<br /><br />And that letter...can we help him? I'm so worried about him. :(<br /><br />DebbieDebbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06394781329549700320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-78676794037473641042012-04-21T20:09:38.461-07:002012-04-21T20:09:38.461-07:00TJ - I'm another anonymous fan, who tends to l...TJ - I'm another anonymous fan, who tends to lurk more than post. But I have followed everything that has happened over the past couple of months, and have been impressed with the level of both grace and restraint with which you have handled yourself. You have A LOT of us fans out there, and A LOT of us are not only rooting for you, but are truly thankful for the wonderful stories you have given us, with their messages of hope, courage, overcoming adversity, finding inner strength, and ultimately love. So thank you for that.<br /><br />And if you need to take a break, that's perfectly understandable. Take as long as you need and know that we will all still be here waiting for you when you write your next eagerly awaited tale. <br /><br />Until then, BEST to you and I CAN'T F****** for Friday and WWA to come out.<br /><br />**hugs**<br />BlueSimplicityBlueSimplicityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423325935796735316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-78586011953364651382012-04-21T13:40:07.151-07:002012-04-21T13:40:07.151-07:00TJ, I have to say, I'm glad you aren't tak...TJ, I have to say, I'm glad you aren't taking a break although any one of us could understand why you might feel the need to do so. As a reader, your words have definitely touched me, and I thank goodness for having discovered them. As a person, through your posts, and through facebook, you are funny, and quirky and inspiring, with a giant heart. There will always be people in the world that want to extinguish Light and beauty and inspiration like yours and like that young man who wrote you that letter. We can't let that happen. Looking forward to Who We Are, and very much looking forward to anything else you end up publishing... whenever that might be. Many Many blessings to you and yours. ;)Sweethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001512117312399100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-63605441013693485942012-04-21T12:29:09.887-07:002012-04-21T12:29:09.887-07:00TJ, For the last couple of years I've read app...TJ, For the last couple of years I've read approximately a book a day. Across all genres. It's very rare for a book or a character to 'stay' with me after the last page and it's a very special feeling when that does happen. Weeks after reading BOATK I'm still thinking of and feeling for those boys. Thats happened for me, maybe 5 times in the two years - it's a feeling I cherish. It makes me feel so privileged. I am very glad that E-mail found its way to you,glad it 'hit' you the way it has, and very, very glad that you are not retiring just yet! xxxJackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14699406540268044516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-48119874971131388052012-04-21T12:19:43.996-07:002012-04-21T12:19:43.996-07:00Jennifer, I thought it was beautiful too and I hop...Jennifer, I thought it was beautiful too and I hope to be able to help this guy any way I can. <br /><br />I can't wait for you to read WWA!!<br /><br />And yes, you'll be able to read the winning poems. I'll be making another video announcing the winners and then posting some of my other favorites. I'll post that on the 27th.<br /><br />TJTJ Klunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14147829025709977465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2854697790604704675.post-8025945457784350062012-04-21T11:49:23.111-07:002012-04-21T11:49:23.111-07:00That was a beautiful email. I'm glad that you...That was a beautiful email. I'm glad that you will not be retiring. I have read BOATK way to many times since it has come out and am waiting for my paperback copy to come in the mail. Really excited for WWA. <br /><br />For the Bad Poetry Contest are we going to be able to read the winning poems?<br /><br />Jennifercosmonauthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16947793263550930893noreply@blogger.com