Life in Technicolor - Comments

This story is so amazing. I lovd how you made it seem way more realistic than most of the fan fictions out there. You're an amazing writer and I would love it immensely if you updated very soon.

This story has officially became one of my favorites.

I have read one and a half chapters so far and I already love this story. It caught my eye the second I stumbled upon it. You're an amazing writer. I hope you update it soon.

Already cried over Cedric Diggory dying in the Goblet of Fire, and I'm nearly off again. This is going to make me bawl in future chapters, I can tell.

The beginning was very 'looks can be deceiving. We know Andrew's really ill, even though Valerie doesn't seem to want to believe it. To her, it seems that he doesn't look as ill as he must really be, so it's not quite sunk in. Andrew telling her she shouldn't have bothered, it's almost like he's dismissing his illness, and he's not aware of how bad things are going to get. It's almost protective in a way as well, like he'd rather hide from her when he's in such a state.

I like the back tracking. It's clever to go through the motions Valerie went through in more detail now. The last chapter didn't reveal all the details to how she went about getting her stuff together and jumping on a plane to New York.

The peaceful sleep was really well written and thought of. Usually in stressful and anxious situations, people can't really sleep and if they do it's restless. But in their case, it gave them a chance to escape the harsh reality their lives had taken.

Andrew and Valerie seem to be in sync with one another. Andrew wants to protect Valerie and doesn't spill everything that's going on with him straight away, and at the same time she doesn't want to know. When she leaves his room the next day, she seems really unsure of whether she wants to dive in the deep end and find out for herself or carry on. Ignorance is bliss and in their situation it might seem like the better option to an outsider.

The receptionist and the doctor were really good. Receptionists have that sort of unprofessional streak of being able to show their emotions and give sympathy out left, right and centre. Whereas the doctors have to be much more straight talking and not get emotionally involved at all. I think the receptionists reaction to Andrew's notes said it all really, Valerie didn't need confirmation from the doctor.

The idea of bringing the rest of his family into it confirms the worst. Obviously, you're writing this as a kind of spin on reality, and we know he pulls through. But seeing how you write other people going through the motions is going to really make us all sob, and it'll push you forward as a writer. This is going to be better than The Glass Passenger, and that was already incredible. But I'm looking forward to the rest of this, tears and heartbreak and all.

You are going to make me cry with this story, I know it. Beautifully written chapter.

This is like a month overdue, and I can only apologise for that. But right now, I have the world's worst cold and can't breathe or sleep, so I'm gonna sit here and write this for you (:

I like how you've written Valerie. At first she seemed happy with the simple, sort of dead end life. She had no aspirations for something more, but I think Andrew's success is making that desire creep up on her. I like to think she wants to stand beside him with all her achievements, and he can do the same. They aren't quite on the same scale, success and impact wise, and I think that's really going to become something that bothers her.

And then it's almost like she's trying to forget about him. Cut him out in a way, since life without him seems too painful. Which also is a good lead up to the ending, because it's something that she could potentially be faced with. Even though, we all know, as readers Andrew's gonna pull through and be okay in the end.

I was wondering how you were going to start everything off. And I think that you're going to handle this is a very respectful way, and it is going to be upsetting to read, and for you to write at times, but you're not gloryfing it. It's not glamourous, and it shows that you're taking your time with it, letting yourself think it through and word it in an appropriate fashion. Any lesser writer would churn out pointless chapter after pointless chapter of cliches and really cheesy lines about heartache and illness.

“They want to run some more tests on me. They think… they think it might be something bad. They think it might be cancer.” This always reminds me of young people thinking they're invincible. It's so alien to associate cancer with someone who's so young and barely lived, but then you have to remember that really small kids can have it. You got into Valerie's mindset brilliantly, and her thought processes are that of how everyone must feel when they hear such news. Plus it's the dreaded word. Cancer's almost always associated with death, and I think that's what we ultimately expect when we hear someone's suffering with it. Even though many people do survive it.

It always gets to me to know that they were on for good things then this happened to Andrew. It's like the glitch in the system and it needs to work it's way through before normality can be restored again. Everything prior to this was the calm before the storm, and I can see this becoming very emotional and upsetting in a lot of places. I'll have the tissues ready.

I teared up! That her first visit to New York has to be under such horrific circumstances. She's not entirely sure what to expect and what could have happened in the space of time between her leaving LA and actually arriving at Andrew's room in the hospital. It's so sad to think about it this way.

And cliffhanger! And just like her, we weren't sure what to expect when they finally meet. I find it heart breaking that they left under positive circumstances and ever since Andrew's departure, Valerie hasn't been the same. It's almost as if she was waiting for something bad to happen. She was already in the mindset of an almost depression, so it seemed fitting. Are they really that close that she can sense when something isn't 100%? So many questions. But yep, still adore this, and apologies again for this being horrendously late. And I am working on your late birthday present. Uni reading and this head cold haven't helped me in the slighest over the past couple of days, but it should be done asap.

I feel like I am going to cry a few times in this story...

You are such a good writer
like sjskfdjfshdt.
I need to read more :)
<333

Aw, I'm glad you updated this.

I like Valerie. Part of me does will her to want something more than the bridal shop and everything that goes with the simplicity of her life, but at the same time, that's her thing. In a way, it's refreshing that she doesn't have these big city dreams, she doesn't want to travel the world. It makes her different from a lot of other characters we read and write about, even though it sets her apart from Andrew, in more ways than one.

The books were a really clever reflection on her life. It seems the simple romance novels are how she would like her own love life to turn out. Those stories have that inner drama, the women over analyse the men and their actions, and I can't help but think Valerie might turn out that way when it comes to Andrew. But again, their choice in books shows how opposite they are. But personally, I'd have to side with Valerie on that one (:

I find it so weird that she doesn't like the smell of books. Maybe thats because I do... but again, this chapter has shown off the differences between them. It's in a very normal, small way, but I think the books have been really significant in showing off both characters and their different desires.

The children's books as well sort of represent her attitude towards life. They're very simple stories, the princess and the prince live happily ever after and everyone lives in a tiny village and works in a bakery and such. It's almost like her own life, but her fairytale seems much darker, as you said, it's not all going to be sunshine and rainbows and Andrew's cancer battle is going to play a very big part. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you handle that, and write the shift in Valerie's character when it all begins to unfold.

Her wishes to be more like Andrew are interesting. It's almost as though she wishes she could be his kind of soulmate, like when you meet that person that's the exact same as yourself. It's strange, because it's clear Andrew loves her for who she is, even though they don't want and like the same things.

The ending was sweet. It's like they won't be home without each other. Their friendship is really sweet, even though they are in some senses worlds apart, they still come back to one another after everything. I love it. Favourite chapter so far, for sureeee. And can I just have a fangirl over how excited I am for Finders Keepers? (:

ohmygosh, i love this update! and this story. i love the way it's written, it gets me all engaged. i hate romance novels.

LE PETIT PRINCE! MY FAVORITE BOOK! Aaah, I'd love to give Valerie a book makeover too.

Loved it. :)

First off, the way you write is amazing. I love it.
Second; I really love the idea you have for the story. I'm glad that it's not going to be all rainbows and happy times.

I love this already, and we're only on part two. (:

I liked the beginning. It's almost as though as time has gone on, Valerie's sort of gained this sixth sense in the way she can tell when there's going to be tears and her calming down services will be required. The way you described it, it's as though she only needs to look at her mother and their customer to know the problem, and how she knew just by being called over. It's almost like she expects tiny catastrophes to happen, it gives her a reason to be there.

The way you described weddings are more stressful when they're supposed to be happy really does speak volumes. It's true that these days, wedding's are usually blown out of proportion and things are bigger and better and everything has to be perfect. It's very dream world, and it defeats the object of a wedding. It sort of loses it's purpose, it stops being about the two people in love and it becomes a circus. It's nice to see how Valerie notices this, and I think her own wedding would be a much simplier affair, just because she spends so much time around these over the top weddings.

The description of the boardwalk and the variety of people occupying it was really nice to read. It sort of slowed the story down and allowed us to see Valerie by herself, away from home, Andrew and work. It's a little insight into how she deals with her thoughts and feelings.

The dog was a good element. It kills the loneliness of living alone, and it makes Valerie seem less lonely when Andrew's away.

Despite the fact that the majority of his inner most lyrical thoughts were plastered on her wall for her to read, Valerie thought that in doing so she was invading a part of him that nobody else was allowed to see. I would have so read every single word already! But I am quite nosey in that sense. (: I'd have thought she'd have read it all, just to see what was going on in his head at the time he wrote on the wall. I think it's strange, yet good that she hasn't read it. It's like this is building up to something, as if she will read through it all one day, but not just yet. The idea of using Andrew's cancer battle as a storyline in this is making me think that the wall and the lack of reading what is on the wall may come together at some point.

The way Valerie's work is dismissed when Andrew's around shows she's willing to give him her full attention. It's like nothing else matters the second he steps over that threshold. It's as though she wants to soak him up, because she knows he'll be off on tour again quite soon. It's like the dog knows this too, as he seems to adore Andrew and so its like both Pepito's and Valerie's way of coping. They know he'll be leaving for god knows how long, so they cling to him when he's around.

I think it's sweet that Andrew wants her to go on tour with him. It's like he wants to show her the things she's missing, and as you said, she's his inspiration, and so with her there, he can write more. I like to think by the end of this story, the pair of them will get to go out on the road together.

I adore this so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you weave everything together. What with the facts and the fiction of this story. It's a brilliant idea, and I'm excited to read the rest. And if you need more than one BETA, you know where I am (:

this is extremely random, but do you happen to have the original to the picture of andrew used in the banner? i absolute adore it :3

I really love this story so far!
Andrew McMahon is such an inspiration and you don't know how thrilled I am
to be reading this story. I'm sure it'll be amazing.
<3

Absolutely amazing.

I beta other stories so I'd love to do this one if you wanted me to. :)

so excellent! ahhh, i feel bad that i can somewhat predict what's going to happen, it makes me so sad though :( i can only imagine, poor andrew.

i'm really excited to see how you play this out! i don't think it will be like the glass passenger, as a lot of that was flashbacks and he was inbetween two worlds basically. with andrew, he's still alive, he's right there, but his head isn't all there the whole time. i can't wait :]

Andrew.:)
Intresting story.
Im excited.:)

So I realise I fail at leaving something as you post. My lecturers love to pile on the homework since our coursework doesn't have to be in till May, and no one's starting it till January. So that, and other things have been swallowing all my time, but here we are now, last day of uni, ignoring homework and packing duties, and writing this instead (:

First off, I love that you picked Andrew for this. Mainly because he's your hero, and with him, it's not all 'OMGZ HE'S SO HOT RIGHT NOW' kinda thing, people seem to respect him for who he is and what he's done, and not just because of some pretty poster boy face. So if I had a hat on, I would take it off for band boy choice.

I like Valerie. How she's not a cynic, and she truly believes in love and being happy in love. She's lived it through other people, and I think she see's it as a sort of queue. As women would line up and wait for the moment in which they fell madly in love. And I think she's ready to fall, but she just needs someone at the bottom to be willing to catch her. I like that she enjoys her work, she truly seems at home in the bridal shop. It's nice to see a character who doesn't despise their work, and she doesn't seem to dream of something more, which is something I see and write about myself. It's refreshing.

I find it nice to see that she doesn't aspire to anything more. She seems to be much more of a practical learner. As she seems to go through trial and error, figuring things out for herself and learning from her own mistakes, rather than pouring over textbooks. But then there's that side of her that feels like a piece is missing and she's losing something. The young glowing women that came through the doors gushed about their fiancés whom they met whilst studying at college it's almost as if that secures two parts of their futures, their careers and their love lives, and Valerie has neither of those things. She has a job, but it's not in the same stakes as these brides, plus she doesn't have a love life.

I love the idea of the wall. It's like Andrew's personal part of her apartment. And it's nice to see that he's not so private with writing his words on the wall, even though it's a given Valerie will read them and maybe try and work out the meaning behind them. It gives her a part of him whilst he's away too, she still has his words there, even if he isn't.

The ending held much mystery, although with you saying that the story's based on the Dear Jack film and using his cancer battle as a theme within the story, I can tell already it's going to be a very doom and gloom one. But that's good, I'm glad you're not sugar coating his illness or skirting around it. I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of this, I can tell it's going to be amazing already. I like the characters and the idea's you've got going. And I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle Andrew and his story. This is without a doubt going to be one of the best things you've written on here. Who knows it might end up bigger than The Glass Passenger? (:

So far, I love this!

There is a serious lack of Andrew fanfiction on mibba, so keep up the good work!

ahhhhhhh i am so excited for this story! thanks for the little ~shout out, haha. ;) i am so excited about this, i knew halfway in that the cancer would be involved, i'm really interested to see how it all plays out. i've watched dear jack a couple times now, it is just so emotional and lovely and i just AGH andrew is such an inspirational person to me and i couldn't be happier that you're writing this. yeah.

<3