Mirage: Countdown to Eternity – Author's notes

2006-09-12

Hi, everyone. Once again, time for a new chapter of the story. This one is shorter, for the reason that this chapter should had been included in the previous one. But for reasons that still elude me, I've decided to make it stand on its own. Perhaps I felt the heart wrenching moment Mirage experienced needed its own part.

I did not realize, as I started writing Countdown, that the story could be seen as basically having three parts. We have ended part two now. Jack and Mirage have returned to the future from an apparently failed mission, and the journey has changed their lives. We are now going to embark on the final part, where everything will fall into place as decisive battles will be fought.

Review dept: Moira2, a couple of chapters earlier, suggested I allow anonymous reviews. So, here we are!

Rubyvulpix! Merci! Content de te revoir. Ton enthousiasme sera toujours apprécié.

Newcomer Biffe: Yes, Mirage is sexy. Oh yes. Thank you. ;-)

Soundtrack dept: Haven't done this in a while:

Beatles: Julia, Dear Prudence (White album)

Rammstein: Wo bist du. (Rosenrot)

Related to chapter one: U2, Vertigo (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb) , also from that album for this chapter, Sometimes you just can't make it on your own.

See you next chapter.

2006-08-12

Ola everyone, Le Capitaine here. Sorry about the delay. I've been to Florida for my vacation, way down to Key West. Unbelievable! On the way back, (I drove there, 6350 K!) We went to visit Kennedy Space Center, and of course, as there is a first time for everything, Walt Disney World. Brought back some cookies. I'm thrilled to say that some parts of this chapter, were written while sitting on a sun deck on my portable computer, overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean! 

Back to the story. May I suggest, Dear Reader, that if you haven't read the last chapter yet (Some people start by the end of things) that you go and read it now, for my comments below contain material which should bear the ubiquitous title: SPOILER ALERT!

Once again, every chapter I've written so far seems to have a very different vibe. They have a life of their own in a way, but it is never what I've imagined at the beginning: They always end up, apart from the main ideas I want to convey, totally different. For instance, the love scene between Jack and Mirage had many variations before I settled on what you've read. In an alternate version, I had them under a tree, as the storm blew by. The earliest incarnation of that scene actually gave me the idea for the story you're reading now: Jack and Mirage are supers out to save the world. In that part of the story, they are in a plane that is stranded in a deep jungle. Mirage is sitting in the pilot's seat when Jack goes to sit with her. He kisses her. The story evolved and I finally settled for the elevator as it had my preference. It's a scene I actually blatantly stole from one my favourite movies: The Big Blue (Le Grand Bleu) from Luc Besson. It's about a guy obsessed with diving and dolphins. When you see the main characters kiss in that cramped elevator, it's just a great scene.

Hum, no reviews this month... Ah well. I wonder… Should I hold new chapters hostage in exchange for articulate, constructive words of support? Hum, should I?… See you next chapter.  Maybe?

2006-06-30

Phew! So many things happened in chapter 7 in such a sort time! Hardest thing again was to choose what to include and what to omit... There is an interesting thing that I was supposed to include in this chapter, but I felt it would slow down the pace too much so I left it out. And that gave me the idea to potentially include, after the story is completed, special deleted scenes chapters, just to spice things up. They do it on DVD's so, why not? I already have some ideas for Escape from Nomanisan.

And now, on to the next chapter! This is it! I think the astute reader will know where this is going to go next… Yeah, I can't wait to write that one! 

Once again, special thanks to Moira2 for her support. Yes, Moira2. You will get the answers you seek.

I'm almost on vacation. I'm going to drive to Florida, until I reach the Keys. This is completely insane, I know, but hey, I'm the Capitaine! See U all next chapter. 

2006-05-24

Hey everyone, CC here. Just writing some reflections after having posted my latest chapter. I'm pleased to say that chapter five has been the one which had the most hits since I started posting stuff on Fan Fiction. I hope to think my readers are enjoying this as much as I am writing it. (and drawing)

It's funny how different the final version of each chapter is, in comparison with its original outline. In this latest chapter (six if you have just picked this up) my initial intent was to make the chapter go beyond where it stops now. (not telling you where it would have gone as this is now the subject of the next chapter). As I started writing the part where they arrive at the spaceport, I realized I had to stretch it out. I wanted the reader to be reminded that Jack and Mirage are in a very dangerous and oppressive world, and that basically, they only have each other to rely on... And that brings me to think about what comes next. I'm getting ready to start writing the next chapter, and, as I dreaded the previous one, I can say that the next two chapters (7 & 8) will probably be my personal favourites. A lot of stuff is going to happen, and I can't wait to put it in words.

So there it is, chapter six, Exile. Enjoy.

HEY! Almost forgot! (How could I) Very special thanks to Moira2 for her ongoing presence in the review universe. I read your comment about Jack, and I agree. Mirage is cuter. ;-) I apologize, as I find Jack is still looking too Neanderthal for my tastes. But I'm working on that. (To use a Pixar term: Jack is undergoing a major hunkification process) you'll see the change in my next drawing.

See U in the next chapter. Enjoy.

2006-04-23

Sorry about the delay. It's tax time in Quebec, and believe me, it is a major pain.

First things first, special thanks to Moira2 for her ongoing support.

So there it is, chapter five: The Briefing. I find the title very appropriate since basically, the whole chapter is just an explanation on what's going on. There is more talk and less action, but I find it's a welcome break, as things will pick up again.

This chapter has been the hardest one to write yet. As I was planning the story, gosh, last summer! I knew that this one would be the most difficult. I think I even was unconsciously dreading it. This is were some of the logistics of the story come to be known. I had to be very careful into only giving away what was necessary, and finding the most efficient way to tell it. The hard thing was to describe the surroundings of the characters but with just enough information as to give a sense of where they were and how they felt, but also not to slow the story down too much. I wanted to stay focused on the story and not lose myself in minor technicalities.

This is the longest chapter I've ever written, and it also happens to have the largest amount of different characters yet. I had major problems finding names for the Supers: Stupendous Girl, the only one I have named yet, already exists according to GoogleLand. But I finally have found a way on how to approach the naming problem. I'll use it in later chapters.

Edna also gave me a struggle. I hesitated in the way I wanted her to speak. In the movie, she is very humorous, but since my story is more about drama than comedy, I had to find a way to tone her down.

My drawings are improving. They really add to the story. Working already on the next one.

Enjoy, and see you next chapter.

2006-03-12

Whoa, I'm back with chapter four, Resistance. It was really cool to write. I've been waiting for a while to make the Lieutenant come into the picture... I had some scenes floating in my mind since last summer... It was quite a thrill to see them in their final form.

Hey I've got reviews again! Totally enjoyable... It's late when I'm writing this again and I'm all over the place... Yes, spring is in the air... Saw a new trailer for Cars... Will certainly go see.

So, Moira2 and newcomer Greenikat89, thanks for the support. (Thank you for reviewing my first story, Greenikat89, Hope you're liking the second one. I had forgotten about the leeches...)

Moira2: Soundtrack. Yes, I've got something, but you made me think I don't have an official Mirage theme.

(Apart from the music of the movie). So feel free to suggest... Something classical maybe? I've been writing this story mostly listening to Rammstein's heavy Teutonic sound. Their latest, Rosenrot, is really good, up to par with their previous one.

So, there is chapter four.  Enjoy! Oh yeah, don't forget the drawings!

2006-02-06

Hi everyone, le Capitaine here. I'm back. Chapter three is up, The Offer. And as promised, Mirage is going to be in for a ride. It's been a while, sorry about that, but I struggled with the way I wanted my villain to say certain things… Hope I made him sinister enough.

And now, to quote a famous quote, the Mother of all quotes: "Hey, where did all my reviewers go?"

I'll have some fresh illustrations coming up soon onCapitaineCartoon dot deviantart dot com  Enjoy!

2005-12-23

Merry Christmas everyone! Joyeux Noël!

Chapter two is up now. I'm promising you; the ride is really going to start. I'm having a ball writing this and I hope you'll have fun reading it too. The holidays are here and that means I can get down with serious business!

I've got more and more drawings up on my web page – CapitaineCartoon dot deviantart dot com –

(the only way to write a web address on this site ) go check them out.

Thank you to my reviewers, Moira2 and Syndromesgirlxoxo, your comments will always be appreciated.

A very Merry Christmas to you all!

See you soon in the next year for the latest chapter.

I'm coming back soon with better comments, I'm tired right now. I'll beef up this page as soon as I can.

Salut tout le monde.

2005-11-29

Hi everyone! CapitaineCartoon here… It's good to be back in Fan Fiction land again! I've been pretty busy all summer, working on the plot line of my new story when I had spare time (not much).

I'm happy to say, I think I'm on to something here. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it.

I've been drawing a lot also, and there is a lot of growth in that area too. I've posted a few examples on Deviantart dot com ;-)

For the address of the web site, go see my author's profile.

Yes, the new story is a lot harder to write as it is much bigger in scope than my first effort. There are a lot of characters, places and events involved and making it all fit together was sometimes daunting as I realized that if I was not careful, I could end up with a story the size of War and Peace!

So, I trimmed stuff here and there and kept what I considered the essential. Hopefully, I've made the right choice and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

So, I present to you my new story, Mirage: Countdown to Eternity, the sequel to Escape from Nomanisan, starring the mysterious and beautiful Mirage, my favourite character of one of my favourite movies, The Incredibles.

Before I say "see you at the next chapter," I would like to thank the following new reviewers, who posted comments after I finished updating my first story: (Oh, I'm not forgetting my "regular" reviewers, zillion thanks to them too! I haven't had many reviews, but it's the quality, not the quantity that counts, and I've been spoiled there!)

Moira2: Thank you for your wonderful and heart warming review. it's been a while since you posted your review and chances are some things might have changed now for you.

So, I hope all is well and I would like to wish you the very, very best.

Rubyvulpix: Merci pour ta critique! C'est une très bonne idée… J'y avais pensé à quelques reprises, mais j'ai reculé compte tenu du temps à mettre dessus… C'était une histoire qui a été assez longue à écrire, et la traduire risque de me prendre autant de temps. Et ce temps, c'est un luxe que j'ai beaucoup de difficulté à m'offrir en ce moment. Mais, je n'écarte pas l'idée.

Je suis d'abord et avant tout engagé dans ma deuxième histoire. Il y a certains chapitres que j'ai hâte de commencer à écrire!

Quand j'aurais terminé le cycle Mirage, je prendrai peut-être le temps de les traduire.

J'ai déjà le titre du premier volet: Mirage: L'Évadée de Nomanisan.

Parting words:

So everyone, once again, welcome to my story and see you when the next chapter comes up. Thank you for being here.