Crystal's Story Site
· Return to Story Index Page · Add your Comments ·

Story Comments by Readers

Audra: A New Life
by Joanne Foxcourt

Latest comments are shown at top of page.


Comment by crorkz on 08/03/14
IWbDGK Appreciate you sharing, great article post.Much thanks again.

Comment by seo service on 09/07/13
veVQ6f I appreciate you sharing this article. Great.

Comment by rose "AKA zach" pantoja on 01/19/12
......all i can say is magical i cried i smiled i laughed i loved this was amazing i loved it and i wish i had this life youre a wonderful writer

Comment by Vivien on 03/10/10
I usually do not read the teen stories but this one caugth my eye this afternoon. I am so glad that I thought to check this story out a little bit. I find it so heart warming as Audry has so many friends to help her out from other children to adults which is indeed a rare thing for any of us to have let alone anyone who is TS!

I have to read it in sections as right now I am very emotional myself since it is nearly time for my own hormone injection.

You stated that this is you first story?  I must say that it is an excellent one! :}


Comment by Jayne Seymore on 11/20/09
Unfortunately, there are far too many "Roberts" in the world and too few James & Maris.

I have never understood why there has to be such a hatred in the world of people like Audra.

I'm not ashamed to say this story made me cry.

I worked for years with a woman just like Audra only a little older and a nicer, kinder person would be hard to find. She lit the day for all her friends and yet those friends had to spend a lot of their time protecting her from bigots.

In the end, a bigot caught up with her when none of her friends was close enough to do anything and the world lost a lovely person. The bigot was jailed for a few years and is now out again and just as core rotten as before.

There is no justice in this world.


Comment by  ALISON MARY on 09/10/09
 Joanne,I have just spent the afternoon wiping tears from my eyes as I read your story.As a retired Ambulance Paramedic I found your story
quite spooky as I was involved in the rescue of a 12 yo. boy who was injured seriously in a trail bike accident.The end result was his
parents had to make exactly the same decision as the parents in your story.I became good friends with these people and so saw the problems with the childs rehabilitation and you were spot on with everything.
The patient is now a beautiful 23 y.o. young lady with a loving husband and two adopted children!!I read your rewrite and cried some more.Please keep writing,you have a great gift.Thank you so much and may God bless you .ALISON

Comment by Trying to Understand on 03/14/09
This was one of the best stories I have read.  The tragedy of kidnapping and physical abuse by the terrorist, the internal struggle of Aaron/Audra, the five stages of reocvery, friends coming to the rescue, acceptance and rejection, compassion, understanding and forgiveness, along with fear were all included.  Very well done.  I have read this story at least three times and will do so again.  The only negative was the profanity, omitting that, I would recommend this story to anyone who wishes to read a very semential and loving story.  On a scale of 10 and I would give this a 9+.  Keep up the good work and looking forward to new stories on this level.  Thank you for writing it.

Comment by Trying to Understand on 03/13/09
One of the best stories I have read.  The tragedy, the change, the struggle, friends coming to the rescue,  Fear, apprehension, love, hate, forgiveness, all included in this story.  The only negative about the story was the profanity, but omitting that, I love this story.  I have read it at least three times and will do so again, as I have been moved with heart-felt compassion for Aaron/Audra and later for Bobby and Amy.  Keep up the good work this is diffently worth reading multiple times.  Thank you for it.

Comment by jamz on 11/05/07
i liked your story especially A new life... i hope to read more of it if you continue ^^ >.<... sorry for the short comment

Comment by Janice Lynn on 06/17/07
Joanne, Love your story and am looking forward to lots of follow up chapters to see how Audra's life continues as she grows in experience as a girl and age. Along with that is all the other story characters that need "completion" about their own lives.
It is refreshing to read a story that is not about bondage and the assorted issues of that genre.
Please keep writing, you "done good girl". Love and hugs, J-Lynn

Comment by Joanne Foxcourt on 04/01/04
Josie, I thought about how to respond to that comment and decided not to beyond saying that I don't think you actually read the whole story. It appears to me that you read part of the way and then jumped to a conclusion. That is, of course, your choice.

Comment by Josie on 03/31/04
This is one of the sickest, dumbest stories I've ever had the displeasure of reading.  Stories like this are why I'm about 2 seconds from giving up on TG fiction altogether

Comment by Littlekatie on 07/25/03
I have to say that when i started reading this story i thought that it was very similar to mine.  The first six chapters seems to mirror my story and so do many of the characters.  But it did go a different direction towards the end.  I am sort of dismayed at some of the negative comments toward my work here and how one person says it was a complete waste of time.  I would of liked to seen a note at least giving some note that certain elements were borrowed from how life can change.  I know that my work was a bit more involved and showed the adjustment of the parent, which this version seems to lack.  It seems that the parents and siblings seemed to just accept the new twist of fate with no problem.  

Comment by Gwen Brown on 05/20/03
I was disappointed to reach the present end of this story. I shall expect another installment by next week, please.

Gwen

Comment by Gwen Brown on 05/18/03
This is the sort of fiction I love to read and write. I am still learning on the writing part. Good plot, believeable characters and interesting subject, what more could one ask for.

I also have a little trouble with the tense of "Lied". No problem but I am shocked that this was the only error I found. Great command of gramar and sentence structure.

Kisses

Gwen

Comment by Penny Lane on 05/07/03
I must say that I generally prefer slightly more erotic tales but this story was so well written it has compelled me to write this, my first comment, and to thank you personally.

Very nice work!!!

Comment by Danielle on 05/05/03
THIS IS A GREAT STORY!
I liked Little Katies story,  but i like this better.  This is so much more realistic than her story was, and so beleivable.
Keep up the good work,  and dont let this story end.

Comment by tanya on 05/05/03
this has been a tremendous story with believable people and a beautiful ending (hopefully not the permanent ending).  there is so much farther that these characters can go. Please do not end it here.    

Comment by Karen E. Lea on 05/05/03
A lovely story, I hope it continues.

Comment by Jimmy on 05/05/03
I think we need more stories like this one.  Stories that show both sides of the coin.  It can be a wonderful world, but it can also be a shitty world.  A world where someone will want to kill you just because you are a TG.  It hasn't been that long ago that a girl (a genetic boy) was killed after attending a party.

Thank you Joanne for bringing this story to us.

Comment by Mary Alice on 05/04/03
It was so easy to become involved with your characters, please continue Audra's story....Bobby's story needs to be continued as well. It will be interesting to see how Amy reacts to a new sister

Mary Alice

Comment by Tigger on 05/04/03
Some very powerful imagery in this story, along with very effective use of dialog.

My personal reaction is that Sheila's 'forcing the femme' - dresses only, petti's, etc., might be a bit over the top, but hey, I've used the same concept in at least two of my stories.

Susie's lack of understanding - 'you're not a boy anymore' response is a good stressor, but might be overdone.  Marianne's intervention during the overnight was more effective.

All in all, a very thought provoking and entertaining story told well, and one that truly begs for further development.

warm furry hugs!

Tiggs

Comment by Joanne Foxcourt on 05/04/03
Thank you, everyone, for your feedback! I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me. This was my first story attempt and I've received some top notch critical advice that I plan on taking. I'm in the middle of reviewing my approach on the story and the direction it takes and I hope to make it better. So, I do plan on a revisit to the story before very long and then the tale will move forward again.

Comment by Theresa on 05/04/03
Please don't stop now. I NEED to know more about Audra's development as a young girl and the possibility of Bobby being allowed to become the girl he needs to be. Please, please, pretty please continue this great story.

Theresa

Comment by louise on 05/04/03
truly a wonderful story,wish there were more stories just like it
hugs and kisses
louise

Comment by Pervette on 05/04/03
Just two words, now that we've reached the end:

Lovely story!!!!

--Pervy

Comment by Nellie D on 05/04/03
I read this at Joanne's site and am so glad that it is now here. The story as a whole has many sad moments but it is a story of survival and learning to go forward. Joanne has given us a very good story instead of something that could have been just a common story.

Comment by Sandy Walker on 05/04/03
Joanne, you've given us a great story... Thank you.

As you said in your "afterthoughts", Audra just took over. You, the writer, are no longer 'writing', you are merely relating the story as it occurs.  That is what happens with a good story, it takes on a life of its own.  Art becomes life.

As a reader I was drawn into the story, I was no longer an outside observer. I know these people, understand their thoughts and feelings. I was there as the events happened, and am curious as to what will happen in the future.

I see "Audra, A New Life" as book one of a series. If I may be so bold, your last chapter has suggested a title for the second book, "Audra, A New Family".  I would like to see how Audra continues to grow into her new self. And what about her relationships with Jason and Mike?  Then there is the Bobby/Bobbie story.  Will it become "Audra, A New Sister", or "Audra, A Secret Sister"?

Sit back and relax for a few moments, Joanne. I have a feeling that Audra could keep you busy for some time to come.  I look forward to reading more about her.

Comment by Briar on 04/29/03
You are so cruel!  I had to cry so many times through chapters 1-6, that I have used up 2 packets of Kleenex and have had to turn to kithcen roll, and now my nose is sore.  OK, it is a very well written story, that is partly why it upsets me so much.  OK, catharsis is good for us, and all that.  Yes, we feel better after a  good cry.  Also it takes us out of our own little lives and gives us some perspective, thinking about what things other folks have had to go through.  But I still think you are a cruel lady for doing this to us.  But I thank you for being so good at writing such as story, and I look forward to further heart-rending chapters soon.

Comment by Pervette on 04/26/03
I, too, noticed the similarities to "How Life Can Change." You can
hardly miss them. So what? I *love* it when another author takes
the same idea & does something completely new & different with it,
the way you have here. Look at Julie O's massive "Scholarship"
story running on Fictionmania: it started out sounding just like a
Janet Stickney story, but it turned out to be vastly different. In
your case, I guess there are a few similarities, but the points of
difference are what's important, & there are plenty of those. Don't
worry about it! I'm relishing all of it, & the fact that Little
Katie wrote HLCC is just going to make *both* stories better!
.
--Pervy

Comment by Paula Jutras on 04/26/03
Just have to tell you how much I really enjoyed this story. It been wonderful

Comment by John on 04/11/03
Good story thus far.
As a believer in "poetic justice", I found the part where the terrorists who kidnapped Aaron at the beginning of the story were--excuse the euphemism-- "dealt with" in such a fashion as to free the newly-named Audra of the spectre of having to deal with them again (even in court), while leaving the authorities blameless.
The revelation about Bobby was not entirely unexpected by me. An episode of the 1980's television series "THE EQUALIZER" said something to the effect of "Man's greatest OBSESSION is often Man's greatest FEAR." (It dealt with a professional arsonist-for-hire who had turned to that line of work to combat a perceived weakness in himself--a fear of fire.) I feel that the phrase is also applicable here. Bobby Grant the Younger has become a bully-- just like his father. However, in Bobby's case, it appears to be a defense mechanism intended to protect him from his father's bullying because of Bobby's passion for feminine undergarments--something that makes Bobby less of a man, at least in his father's eyes.
Hopefully, the story will resolve itself in such a way that Robert Grant, Sr. will be removed from the scene (probably for child abuse or abuse of his wife) without Bobby having to make good on his threat to kill his father.
I also look forward to the continuing development of the relationships between Audra and her siblings, Audra and Mike, Audra and Jason, and even Audra and Bobby. Hopefully, Bobby and Audra will become, if not *FRIENDS*, at least *LESS THAN ENEMIES*, especially now that we know that Bobby has a secret of his own to protect and is, in a certain way, a kindred spirit to Audra.  

Comment by Jimmy on 04/10/03
Don't sell this writer short just yet.  Many levels, many directions.

Comment by bruce on 04/06/03
I am really enjoying the story. I really like that you are choosing to explore someone actually haveing a hard time withe the transition. In so many of these stories the hero gose shopping then gets there hair done and suddenly they can't imagin being anything but girls. I like the mental drama of the hero haveing to work through the truma of not only what caused the change but that of how people now preceive him/her. keep up the good work.

Comment by E. E. Horton on 04/03/03
Stories like this are the saddest in all TG fiction. Some authors and readers will never reconcile themselves to their transgender feelings, so they insist on plots that get the hero sex-changed COMPLETELY against his will. The message is clear: a person who actually wants to change his gender doesn't merit the kind of sympathy that would make him a suitable hero. And since the audience entertains precisely those thoughts, at least part of the time (else why would they be here?), what are these authors saying about them?

Comment by kathryn smith on 03/06/03
I realy like your story. it brong a tear to my eye.  your are a very talented story writer. please don't stop now. don't leave us hanging

Comment by Barbara Lynn Terry on 03/02/03
Joanne, this is a very compelling story. Don't stop now. Please continue this with a third chapter. I would like to see the bully be punished for insensitivity towards girls, even new girls that didn't have a choice to become one, by having his mother and father punish him, by making the bully dress as a girl from the skin out. That would teach him about respect. Either that or he beats up Audra, or tries to and is stopped by either the coach or someone else, and he is punished by being made to dress as a girl from the skin out. This is a very good story. Please continue it and keep up the good work.

Comment by Susan on 02/27/03
One of the best peices I have ever read GOOD job

Comment by Lynne-Anne on 02/27/03
This was a wonderful story. I had tears in my eyes more than once. I also was confused about Audra's age, but it was no big deal. I thoroughly enjoyed your story.

Comment by Jimmy on 02/26/03
I have read the story "How Life Can Change" and can now make a fair comparison of that story and "Audra: A New Life"  Both stories center around a young boy who loses his genitals (in entirely different ways) and have parents that decide the boy should undergo SRS.  Now of course in real life that would most likely not be a choice.  The child could continue to function normally as a boy, continue normally in boy activities.  Certainly he might be ridiculed to an extent by the more hateful children in his school, but life would continue along the same track as before.  Then when he reached the proper age, he could make decisions about his life.  But if that was the case in "How Life Can Change" and "Audra: A New Life," then we would have an entirely different story.  The authors wanted to explore what could happen if a boy at a young age had SRS thrust upon him without his consent because of a lost of his genitals.

Both "How Life Can Change" and "Audra: A New Life" has a boy that is a member of a baseball team.  I think both authors placed the boy on a team because usually members of a team are close.  Teammates (mates) respect each other and pull for one another.  Each story has the teammates turning on the boy, with "How Life Can Change" including the team's coach as well.  Perhaps the author of "Audra: A New Life" could have chosen a different sport.  Secondly, both stories had the child entering a coma.  I am not sure why a coma, since waking from one day or a week or even a month would have been the same to the child.  In "How Life Can Change" the boy received a blow to the head during a car accident.  That same accident was the cause of the lost of the boy's genitals.  Perhaps each author wanted a situation that could show how much the parents loved the boy.  Although in "How Life Can Change" this wasn't the case later on in the story.  This is where the similarities of the two story ends.  However, "Audra: A New Life" has only two chapters, and "How Life Can Change" has at least twelve.

BTW: and this is a little off the subject, I can not recommend "How Life Can Change" for reading.  I only read the story to make a fair comparison of "How Life Can Change" and "Audra: A New Life."  It was a most unpleasant read and a miserable waste of my time.

Comment by Nom de plume on 02/25/03
First rate, I like the way to took it nice and slow, developing the characters and letting the story's tension build and release at a very nice pace.  Keep it up.

Comment by Jimmy on 02/24/03
Oh, BTW: I wanted to comment on plagiarism.  Writing a story based on an idea generated by another story isn't plagiarism.  If it was, then a lot of famous writers, playwrights, artist, and poets are guilty of plagiarism.

I haven't read the story, "How Life Can Change," so I can not decide at this time if "Audra: A New Life" is a plagiarized version of "How Life Can Change."  But unless there are very similar incidents in the story, like the character losing his genitals by kidnappers, reacting in similar ways by the news of having SRS, having a sister and brother that do the same things and say the same things to the boy, etc. etc. etc., then I would say that "Audra: A New Life" stands on it's on rights.

Comment by Jimmy on 02/24/03
I have read a lot of the stories on this site and I think this is one of the best.  The author has done the reasearch and it shows.  Using stents after SRS is real.  It is the details that makes or breaks a lot of the stories on this site.  One fault that I did find was with the buttons.  So many stories talk about buttons being on the wrong side.  Buttons work the same regardless of which side they are on.  And yes, I have worn clothes with buttons on the left and right side. Also, there is a mixup about the age of Aaron.  It is stated both 11 and 9.  A difference of two years is important in the development of a child.

A good story will invoke a variety of emotions in the reader.  This story certainly will invoke emotions, I felt angry, sadness and yes even tears.  If this story is any indications of the author's work, the author's stories will be very popular ones of the site.

I look forward with eagerness for the next chapter.

Comment by Joanne Foxcourt on 02/24/03
Thank you for all the feedback, I greatly appreciate it! I just wanted to comment on Jezzi Belle Stewart's note.

Of course, many TG stories have a large number of similarities, it is probably inevitable to one degree or another and being an avid reader, I'm bound to feel that influence. I have read the story by Little Katie and there are a number of similarities, it was an inspiration for some of this tale without question, but I think I've diverged a great deal from the initial premise. At least I hope so!

One of the motivations that I had in writing this story was that the initial premise from Little Katie was intriguing, but she took it an a different direction than I would have and I felt a strong need to explore that alternative direction and this story is it, along with influences from many others.

Just to be clear, my intention isn't to rip-off or detract from the story by Little Katie and I probably should have made that clear from the outset. I sincerely hope that people don't feel that way, it wasn't my intention and I apologize for any confusion that may have resulted. My aim was to try and write a story that moved people, based on a concept that I found that was often a powerful wish inside many of us in the TG community, and I hope this is what I am achieving.

Finally, if any of you haven't read the story by Little Katie, you should do so. It is a powerful tale and disturbing elements with a promise of hope at the end.

Joanne

Comment by Jezzi Belle Stewart on 02/24/03
I hate to say this, and I'm surprised no one else has noticed, but this story is so far almost exactly the same as Little Katie's "How Life Can Change" posted at Big Closet.  The event that causes the hero(ine)'s problem is different, but the problem is the same.  The only thing from HLCC really missing from this story is the psycho mom.  Joanne, if you haven't read HLCC, check it out.  I'm hoping your and Little Katie's stories are a remarkable coincidence.

Comment by Gianna michelle on 02/24/03
good story so far hope to see more soon as a person who was harrassed growing up in my case it was because of my weight i hope you have some thing interesting like nora sort of suggested  lol well take care and post more soon as possible lol

Comment by Ed Brown on 02/23/03
Just a little note to tell you how much I enjoyed The story of Audra having read only the two capters shown. i am not a critic so I will not say that the story could be improved with a little of this or that. What I do sayis that to me thestory was touching and some parts brought tears to my eyes. I could not put the story down until I finished reading it. My complements on an excellent effort. I hope you will continue with this story so that we all my enjoy iy. Thank you again. A first time reader of yours.

Comment by Nora-Adrienne on 02/23/03
Dear Joanne,
I loved the first two chapters of this story very much.  It was a nice twist on the way the child loses his boy/manhood.  I hope that in the next chapter Audra gets to face down the boys from her former team WITH THE COACH PRESENT.  I want them to hear the whole story and then let the bully open his mouth in front of adults.  I can see a great twist on his punishment.

Keep up the great work.

Comment by Cai on 02/23/03
A very well crafted story, Joanne, a few errors but nothing a good proofer could not find nor fix.  I wish you to continue this story line through, I would like to read more of Audra/Aaron's life experiences.  It is as they say,  a page turner.

Comment by Paula Jutras on 02/23/03
A lovely story but a little upsetting the part with the kidnappers and all but very enjoyable and glad I took the time to read it. Keep up the good work dear.

Comment by Jane Hudson on 02/23/03
Lovely story yet at the same time sad yet so much love there The boys on the team showed themselfs as dumb and dumber.I feel this is one of the best storys I have read yet I have read some great storys my dear.Please write more of Audra she is a  sweet sounding person and her  story is  a loving brave sad yet sweet one

Comment by Lisa Pagent on 02/23/03
This is a very hard story to read. Not because of anything wrong with it. Because it so good. It has hard parts to it, like the terrorist angle. But you can't help but feel emotional while reading what happens to Allen/Audra.

I cried more than once.

Brava, Joanne!



Add your Comments

      The importance of reader feedback cannot be overstated.   Authors rely on it to improve their future works, and it gives them the incentive to write more stories if they know that their hard work has been appreciated.  I am not saying that comments must all be lauditory.  Authors often appreciate honest, constructive criticism over simple remarks like 'Great story', although simple praise is appreciated also.  There is no limit on how much you can enter in the 'comments' box.   Sentences will automatically word wrap at the end of the line so please do not use your carriage return/enter key except at the end of your paragraphs.

      It is not necessary to use your real name here, and, email addresses are optional.  Posting your email address will allow the author to thank you for taking the time to post your comments, and/or discuss critiques and address possible concerns. 

      Be forewarned that abusive remarks and language will be removed, and the posters may be banned from this AND other areas of StorySite.



Name :
E-Mail : (Optional & Confidential)
Comments :
 
  

Please report any problems to Crystal