From: caw@gtech.com (Christopher A. White)
Subject: Re: Am i going crazy, ruined characters, and the good ol days
Organization: GTECH Corporation, West Greenwich, RI
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 19:18:31 GMT

I'd like to take a chance to vent about all the venting. It really is
boring. I find it amazing that people can be so negative about things.
Maybe the art does lead the story right now, so what? Does this mean that
the whole is any less? No, only not the same. That's what it boils down to,
it seems. "Where were the good 'ol [formula] days?" Well, to borrow a phrase,
"the good 'ol days weren't always good and tomorrow is not as bad as it seems."

You want character development and then complain about the developments. You
complain about the danglers and then complain about how they clean them up.
You complain about the art taking the lead and then complain when they use an
under-qualified artist. You complain about the living characters and then
complain when they die and then really complain when they get resurrected.
Does anyone notice a pattern here?

I don't like some of the things they've done. I haven't always liked the 
characters or the developments. But I've liked the flow, like a tide, 
shifting and changing a million ways and always something beautiful in the
end. I've noticed a lot of "I don't like what has become of ...." Maybe
not, but something had to. Things change, people change. The book won't
be the same in a year, and in five years people will be calling these the
good 'ol days. So here's a couple of questions:

	How often do you write them and tell them what you think/want? 

	How would you have written a particular story (specifically,
		saying "I'd make it better." is a cheap cop out).

	What don't you like (and justify it). To say that Louise is the
		worst writer ever needs a little more justification than
		"I didn't like the way she dit it."

	Why don't you like Gambit/Bishop? Personally, I think that they're
		two of the best additions in years. Jubilee, though, was the
		smartest move. With the new mutants and Kitty Pryde gone,
		they needed the juvinile perspective. Jubilee is the most
		accurate teenager they've done yet!

Personally, I think Scott needs a hiatus *and here's why*. First, he's been
brooding too much lately. Second, he's getting preechy. Third, he's getting
confused about his personal relationships. The man has got a clear case of
Type A confusion. He's getting careful. Too careless will get you killed, 
but too careful will get someone else killed; and from the way he's been
acting, he couldn't deal with it. Scott is dangerous, get him out! On
the other hand, Orroro needs something to _do_. She either needs to take
more responsibility in the team or *go find forge*. (Before she does, though,
she needs to give Jean a good slap in the head!) Her world is coming apart
and she can't just sit idle. She needs to take control.

I think what I just said is a little more constructive than just saying
"the books suck." And remember, you get out what you put in. If you want to
find character development and good stories, they're there. It is *all
attitude*.

JMHO,

Topher
-- 
 Christopher A. White                    | Here's a test to see if you've
 caw@gtech.com                           | completed your mission in life. 
 GTech Corporation, West Greenwich, RI   | Are you alive? You haven't.
 The opinions expressed are mine alone   |        - Bach