tenyari,

What a wonderful comment! So wonderful that it took me 2+ months to reply. I know — lots of egg on my face. It’s been that sort of summer. A great summer, actually. But one chock full of activities and distractions, limiting the amount of time that I have spent on this site.
 
The Lord of the Rings analogy is quite fun — and maybe well deserved. We’ll know for sure once the credits on this story finally roll!
 

Ghosts don’t just have to be about vengeance or things needing to be fixed, they can also be about love.

Well said! Just possibly it is all about love.

Again, thanks,

Blair

Many are looking for the chapter where exams are canceled, due to last-minute additions Gryffindor suddenly wins the house cup, and everyone tells what they are doing over the summer.

While Blair is showing us that while that was a very interesting set of complications (a story in its own right), it truly provided opportunities and also distractions in Harry and Ginny’s relationship which has more development in store. Jessa is Harry if anyone is confused.

Another point I want to mention, and that’s probably surprising, is that I got quite angry after reading the last chapters. I am not angry with the writer, not at all! I admire his story and his writing skills. I am annoyed with some characters.

Kim and Brenda try to pressure Jessa into working for their charity. Jessa doesn’t really want to, but they don’t care and put moral pressure on her to basically manipulate her to accept. Of course they think it is for a good cause (which it probably is), but does this give them the right to manipulate/pressure her and make Jessa do what she doesn’t want to? Maybe I see this too critical, but in real life that’s something I don’t like at all.

Now this probably doesn’t sound like a compliment, but actually it is a very big one. Because this means I care about your characters. Otherwise I would just think “Oh, a naked chick caught a serial killer and now works for charity. Oh well, nice.” I wouldn’t really care. But I do, I care about your characters.

So everything is fine, of course characters don’t have to be likable for a great story. There have to be different shades of gray.

I kept quiet, allowing Kim to explain. A moment later I saw Catherine whispering in Dirk’s ear.

I really liked it when Kim really noticed, through Dirk’s conversation, that Catherine was real.

“I did,” Kim admitted. The look on her face told it all. Nothing had driven home the point that there was a ghost in our midst like the present conversation.

Another thing that I liked, was how this part had TWO people actively engaging and interacting with Catherine. That was emotionally satisfying.

All that had changed. Dirk was free and the killer was behind bars. Optimism was in the air.

And despite the costs, Jessa was feeling good too.

I was drunk on Catherine’s bliss.

Another admirable part of the chapter was the frank talk about love between Jessa and Nick. It felt realistic, and just right to me.

“Where’s Cathers?” I asked, my voice surely betraying my concern.

This moment captured what we were all thinking, and made us worry along with Jessa.

When I was done, I tossed the towel to Cathers. She held out her hands, but it passed right through, landing on the floor behind her.

Little moments like this are great reminders that Catherine isn’t just an interesting person.

Before going to bed, I made a point of telling Catherine how much I loved her. I also told her ‘goodbye,’ just in case, and that I’d miss her if she had to go, but that I’d be fine.

Another reminder to keep the tension high.

“The Naked Crusader Strikes Again!” the headline read.

A reminder of how much Jessa’s life has changed. It will be interesting to see how all of this resolves. Judging by Brenda, she might have some opportunities.  

My days as the Naked Crusader have surely come to an end.”

lol…

They were both smiling. “I’m afraid you are,” said Kim. “You’re a fuckin’ rock star.”

As distracted as we are about Catherine, all of this is still interesting as they try to talk Jessa into the job.

They had a very hard time believing that stage fright might be an issue for me, pointing out that I had stood naked in front of TV cameras, flipping off a building.

True!

Because it is the speculation that drives your popularity.

This was brilliant. So keeping her secret is essential to staying popular. But does she really want to be an Ambassador? Like Emi? I hope she does!

That said, I am torn between wanting Catherine to never go away, and wanting Catherine to go away.

But I can see that she actually does have a reason to stay that I can see right now.

Dirk’s happiness.Her quest was never really about solving her own case, it wasn’t even about freeing Dirk. It was about giving him happiness that her love for him demanded. I could easily see her being around until the day he passes on.

Ghosts don’t just have to be about vengeance or things needing to be fixed, they can also be about love.

Hi Blair,

I hope I didn’t look at the wise man’s finger as he pointed at the moon.

Helen.

Helen,

Thank you for reading the chapter twice (in spite of what I said) and thank you for your various thoughts.
 

So, Cathers should have left ‘our’ world.

Yes, there are several junctures at which Cathers could have left. As with any story, an author has to choose what he/she thinks is the most appropriate conclusion. I certainly have chosen one. I’m not convinced that it is the ideal one, but writing is an art not a science. At least that is my excuse for taking the story in the direction I am planning to.
 

I can understand that Jessa could help “Heroes Everlasting” to fund orphanages, but I don’t understand how it helps the plot of your story.

If you don’t mind, please revisit this topic after the story is concluded. Tell me at that point in time whether you believe that it helped my plot or not. That would be very much appreciated!

Thanks again,

Blair

Thanks Dimitrii,
 

I could tell that with the state of their relationship that we have more to the story.  You wouldn’t leave it like that.

You are right, and you’ve likely read all or almost all of my stories, so you are probably as knowledgeable as anyone when it comes to such matters. I’m glad you bring up the ‘state of their relationship.’ If I as the author viewed this primarily as a crime drama, then it likely would have ended with the capture of the killer. But to me, relationships are key — so the conclusion lies ahead. Oh, and it’s a ghost story.
 

I like the new opportunities this potential job has; both for her future happiness and reliving her public exposure.

I happen to think it is a fun direction — a young woman known for public nudity being offered a position where she will constantly be in the public eye. I’m glad you seem to agree.

Best,

Blair

Hi Blair,

Ooops, I read it again! :-))

In my opinion (or belief), Ghosts exist only because of their cruel past. Here, Cathers should have been freed of this state because the man who killed her have been arrested.

But she is still there, maybe because of her lover. But Jessa helped them to meet again.

My mind jumped far into the future – to that point in time when the two of them would be fully reunited in heaven. I hoped that it would be wonderful. I imagined that they’d be completely together – become one. Even if they were currently occupying different spheres, they seemed to be making the most of it.

So, Cathers should have left ‘our’ world. She even could have concluded this story with:

Catherine spoke. “Tell Kim I had a happy life. A wonderful childhood. A loving family. And, I met this man. We fell in love. Not a long life, but otherwise full. Almost perfect.”

I also understand you are a kind writer, so you could have concluded again with Jessa and Nick mutual love:

“But I also want for you and I to have what they have. That probably makes no sense, but their love is complete. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. The looks they give one another.” Nick held me. It felt so good to be in his arms. “Just once in my life I want to feel what that’s like. A love like theirs…”

I can understand that Jessa could help “Heroes Everlasting” to fund orphanages, but I don’t understand how it helps the plot of your story.

Helen.

I don’t view what I am currently writing as ‘aftermath.’

I can’t tell you how glad I was to see these words. I could tell that with the state of their relationship that we have more to the story.  You wouldn’t leave it like that.

I am invested in these characters. Their happiness matters.

I like the new opportunities this potential job has; both for her future happiness and reliving her public exposure.