Author's Notes:
I started this story over a year ago, with the sole intention of having it done within a week or two - how wrong was I?
I had a little idea in my head - "what happens if the Gaang had their bending switched? And how can I make it Zutara?" and voila, this baby was born. I only knew where I wanted to story to go, but not how long it would take me to get there. I wasn't sure what I was hoping for, but overall, I really am happy with what I've produced. I know I'm not a novelist by far, but this has been my longest project yet. 110 pages (size 11 font). 49,500 words. Does my writing change tones sometimes? Yes. Am I great writer? Probably not. Should I have proof-read more before publishing? Yeah, probably. Am I still happy with what I've achieved? Absolutely.
I suffered from writer's block for so long, and honestly it is pure stubbornness that made me finish this story. Today, July 1st 2018, I was bored, and decided to check my reviews on this story after not writing for three months. There were no new reviews for three months. I was sad at first, but thought, well, if you don't write, how will anyone read, and how will anyone think to review? So I sat down, and even though I had no idea what to write, I finished this story. I'm so happy I did.
Something that always bugged me in other FanFiction is pacing - when character A suddenly falls in love with character B and its reciprocated and by Chapter 2 or 3 they're saying "I Love You" and the like. There's nothing wrong with that - hell, I know it happens in real life too! - but I always found myself liking the slower paced romance much more. I've never tried to create a slow paced romance before (in fact, my only romances were written ~10yrs ago and are awful - so bad it's funny!), so this was a challenge, but I am pretty happy with the result.
Also, I always hated reading a great story, then finding out it went on hiatus like 3 years ago! "Come on damn it, finish your stories!" I would think, hypocritically. So, I am glad to say I am no longer one of those authors!
What I'm trying to say is - although this isn't the best work out there, I am proud of myself. I have re-read my story, and I'm happy with how most things have come out. I'll always be critical of my work ,and there is always room for improvement, but I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this story too.
To all 48 of you who have reviewed (well, less because some of you beautiful people have come back more than once) - thank you. Really, thank you. Thank you very, very much.
To all of you who have read this story and have not reviewed - thank you. Seriously, thank you. Thank you for deciding to spend your precious time reading words I have strung together with my brain, and thank you for sticking around til now. Thank you.
Thank you, everyone.
I hope, at some point, this story made you feel something - a good something, hopefully!
I hope you all have a reason to smile today.
Thank you.
Kris
SPECIAL UPDATE:
Thank you Desy for pointing out that in Chapter 19; I accidentally referenced Katara putting water in her flask. It actually was an original plot point - I had made it so their bending was returned when Aang returned, but couldn't think of reasons why... and then I had the grand ole idea of making Operation: Melon Lord a thing, so I changed where I was going with the story, but not that line - thank you so so much for letting me know! :)
Also, thank you Guest, for informing me that FFN had messed up a previous version of Ch 23! It happened a few times, no idea why or how, but I have fixed it :)
And thank you EVERYONE for your reviews so far, all 53 of them! I love you all :)
A few thank yous:
- Desy (x2, and p.s. I hope to one day elaborate on the Aang & Toph side of things, but that's for another day :) and I have some one-shot ideas swimming around too RE: the end of the story - hence why I had a quick epilogue - so I may come back to them too!)
- TallieCat
- BUBU30
- Guest (unsure how many of you there are, but thank you all the same!)
- Forbidden-Hanyou (x2)
- CutestTrex
- Platelmintes
- RapunzelxEugene4Ever (x3)
- JuiceoftheORANGE (x2)
- G0d3ss0fD1sc0rd
- Kelana-ti
- UnicornWithABananaHorn
- Mysteric-Hysteric
- Doctorherondalestark
- SmidgenGirl
- Jackieee.98 (x2)
- Texcatlipoka (x2)
- RedCat
- Darkgrounder
- Eolain (x2)
- ArtiliaTheHun
- Anonymous23 (x7 - thank you so much for all your support along the way)
- Silferdeath
- SernaJ (x3)
- MissZeldaSayre
- ML9881
- Babyg14
I've read every single review along the way, and appreciate every single one of you :)
Have a lovely day,
Kris