CROSSING THE LINE

[Cait]

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW*









I just read the whole story over at Fanfiction.net without being able to stop. The eye-strain is well worth it! That was an amazing fic, Pisces! Although, the ending ripped my heart out. I am still in tears! I mean, damn...Jackson just seemed so invincible, you just expect him to keep coming back. Watching Red Eye will never be the same now, I will always imagine the events that occurred in your fic happening in the film, that's how good it was. The whole thing is just so possible, Jackson could have easily become fixated on Lisa. She could have also become fixated on him, hell, I know I would, especially the way you wrote him. Jackson is gorgeous, brave, dangerous, but also caring and affectionate - what woman wouldn't?

Lisa'a retribution at the end was nothing short of amazing. It almost made Jackson's death tolerable knowing that she had avenged him the way he would have wanted her to. Still, I just love that couple so much, I wanted so much for them to escape and be together, but Lisa at least sorted that a-hole out (the detective).

This probably isn't a very coherent review, as it's 2am, and I'm still quite emotional from the ending, but over-all - that was by far the BEST Jackson/Lisa, hell, the best Cillian-related fic I've ever read. Needless to say, you're getting a CB! Thank you so much for that Pisces. ;D

[Pisces]

Cait and Zombie, I want to respond to you each personally for these thoughtful reviews, although, in light of punctuator's post last night, I feel a bit odd and well, somehow wrong in doing so. It's always been a surprise to me that CTL has had such staying power within the fandom, and I have been eternally grateful for that, given the fact that I haven't posted another fic online in the fours years since its completion.

Cait - thank you SO much for what you said. Writing Jackson was one of the purest joys I have had in my life, and it is deeply satisfying to me when someone connects with him within my fic. What you said about never looking at Red Eye again without thinking of my story is the highest compliment I can receive (though I apologize for the fact that the ending had you in tears - if it's any consolation, I was in tears writing that last chapter!) Re: Lisa's revenge - I've been happy that people forgive and understand why she did what she did. It was a tough thing to write as well, but it felt right and I went with it, which is pretty much how I wrote the whole fic. ;D I hadn't ever written anything that large before, and I simply felt my way through it over nine months' time.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to tell me how the story affected you. Whenever someone does so, I always try to respond and let them know what it means to me. Thanks for taking the emotional journey with me.

[Pisces]

Zombiekitten- I will now fall to MY knees and thank YOU for the most uplifting and wonderful review!! (Bows to the sketch and comic master!!) I read it yesterday and, though I didn't have time to respond, spent the rest of my evening riding a beautiful high from your praise. Feedback is such a crucial element of the writer/reader relationship, and your comments put a HUGE grin on my face!

Thanks for enjoying all the little details (like hurricane Katrina, etc) I implemented as part of the story. I'm a real stickler for details, and, since I live in Florida and the fic takes place in Miami, I wasn't about to half-ass any of those details. Most of what you read about are real places, though a few are fictitious. Carmelita's, for example, is not a real place. Cocowalk movie theater is real, though closed now. The half-finished expressway (under which Jackson waits for Lisa in his car on the night of their escape) is also not real, though it's based on an actual unfinished expressway in the Tampa area at the time of writing. Alligator Alley is very real and no, you would not want to get stuck there in the middle of the night.

What matters to me most though, is the emotional response you had to the story. I know I'm not the best writer out there. I read some authors and gasp at their prose, and it makes me sick with envy that my talent is not equivalent. But at least I can say that I wrote one thing that readers connected with, identified with, aborbed into themselves, to some extent. I am proud of that - angsty though the fic may be. The story is about obsession more than anything else, however, and that is something that many of us can relate to. Obsession has a way of sneaking up on even the best of us, and that was how I felt Jackson had experienced his connection to Lisa. And Lisa's to Jackson as well, though she doesn't come to terms with her own obsessive link to him until it's far too late.

As far as those love scenes go, thank you for enjoying them. I had to be careful in how far I went with them, because my fic was rated T, not M. LOL. Seriously, that's why the obvious restraint is there. But I agree that it created a quiet sensuality that fits in with the fic. Besides, it's always important to leave room to play within the reader's imagination. In all aspects. It's their story too.

I hope you will read to the end and let me know what you thought. The final third of the fic is definitely the best. I hope you agree.

Mar 23, 2011 13:52:21 GMT -5 Zombiekitten said:

And the way he talks and his behavior and all that! So typical Rippner!! Pure pleasure!
Be honest: You know him personally, don't you??

I think he knows me far better than I know him.

[impeachy]

Pisces: I've always wanted to say that this fic is like my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE in the Red Eye fandom. I'm just a little shy at expressing my admiration for your fic because I feel like I'm not worthy. LOL!

I read it way before I even joined this forum, since I'm a regular reader of Fanfiction.net. I've read way too many Red Eye fics, and I still do until now, but I have to say that your story is one of the three (yup, I've counted) Red Eye fics that I cannot forget. I end up forgetting the titles of most fics that I've read, or forget that I even read them, or mix up the stories. There are a lot of brilliant Red Eye fic writers, and I think the main reason I'm so addicted to the fandom is because the quality of the fics in the fandom is just amazing, unlike other fandoms where there are, at most, a handful of good writers and the others are just mediocre.

Your fic, though, created a tremendous emotional impact on me. It's true. I can't forget it. I already left a very lengthy review of this fic at FF. I'm an anonymous reviewer over there, though, since I'm too lazy to log in. I have the Red Eye Archive bookmarked and I just click it right away when I'm online. I think I even spend more time on there than on this forum. Anyway, I digress...just wanted to let you know that I loved this fic and it elevated the fandom up a notch.

[Pisces]

Impeachy- thank you!! ;D Which anonymous reviewer were you on ff.net? There are quite a few of those, and I'd love to go back and read what you said! I'm glad you overcame your feelings of shyness to tell me how you felt about CTL - I can't imagine anyone feeling unworthy to do so! I appreciate each and every reader's viewpoint - they do not have to be a writer themselves for me to value their input. In fact, having feedback from people who don't write is rather critical, since they are possibly having a more 'pure' experience in reading the story. Writers often cannot read someone else's work without running a non-stop mental critique of it (I'm guilty of this), and that sometimes prevents complete immersion in the story itself. So I very much enjoy a perspective from a reader whose motivation in reading my stuff is sheer entertainment/enjoyment. So, thank you for sharing your own personal experience with me - it means a lot!

[iseebutterfly]

oooh? That story is yours? I didn't know that, it's been a while since I read Crossing The Line!

So then YOU are the one that made the video on youtube called "Red Eye sequel" YOOOUUU!!!!! You had me totally fooled when I saw the link and I FREAKED OUT and then I watched and I was just like: NOOOOOO, IT'S FAKE!!!!!

But I read the story anyway and I looooooved it! You're pretty much talented in all different aspects, whether to create amazingly looking fan art or writing breathtaking ffs.

:* Have a CB for that!

[Zombiekitten]

I'm so happy to have given you such a high! You deserve all praise for this wonderful story.

About details: I think they are a very important element of a story. They make a story vivid and colorful. And that's exactly what you did.
And I also think that your prose is very good, original and creative (as far as I can tell as a German speaking person)

And I really love how you described Jacksons obsession and how it makes him weak in some way, makes him do mistakes. He's not perfect, he's human, and that's one of the reasons the reader can connect to him so well.


I didn't finish reading so far. But I'm on chapter 27 and it is very very exciting!! It's like a movie going on in my head. ;D

[Pisces]

Mar 27, 2011 16:39:55 GMT -5 @iseebutterfly said:

oooh? That story is yours? I didn't know that, it's been a while since I read Crossing The Line!

So then YOU are the one that made the video on youtube called "Red Eye sequel" YOOOUUU!!!!! You had me totally fooled when I saw the link and I FREAKED OUT and then I watched and I was just like: NOOOOOO, IT'S FAKE!!!!!

But I read the story anyway and I looooooved it! You're pretty much talented in all different aspects, whether to create amazingly looking fan art or writing breathtaking ffs.

:* Have a CB for that!

Thanks, iseebutterfly! Yeah, Pisces/A Pisces Alone = same person... me!LOL And yep, that's my sequel video. I have two other Red Eye/Jackson vids, and they can be found here:

www.jacksonrippner.net/index.php?id=8

It's funny how people have different reactions to that sequel vid - some are fangirly over the very idea, even if they know it's not possible, and others are oddly angry. They seem under the impression that I was trying to pull one over on the general public. That was never my intention though (and jeez, come on, it's not that good of a vid). I originally made the video as a joke between myself and a friend; sort of a wouldn't-it-be-cool-if kind of thing. When I put it on youtube, I didn't expect it to generate the wide range of reactions that it has, lol. But it sure has helped lead people to CTL, which was a wonderful side effect! ;D

Zombie- Right there with you on Jackson's faults making him more interesting- which is how it is with anybody, really. If we were all perfect, we'd be pretty damned boring. To write Jack as flawless, as if he were a superhero, wouldn't have interested me. He's a real man, who makes real mistakes... some very big mistakes. Please let me know what you think when you reach the end. (Another love scene on the way in chapter 30... ;D)

[impeachy]

Mar 27, 2011 10:14:15 GMT -5 Pisces said:

Impeachy- thank you!! ;D Which anonymous reviewer were you on ff.net? There are quite a few of those, and I'd love to go back and read what you said! I'm glad you overcame your feelings of shyness to tell me how you felt about CTL - I can't imagine anyone feeling unworthy to do so! I appreciate each and every reader's viewpoint - they do not have to be a writer themselves for me to value their input. In fact, having feedback from people who don't write is rather critical, since they are possibly having a more 'pure' experience in reading the story. Writers often cannot read someone else's work without running a non-stop mental critique of it (I'm guilty of this), and that sometimes prevents complete immersion in the story itself. So I very much enjoy a perspective from a reader whose motivation in reading my stuff is sheer entertainment/enjoyment. So, thank you for sharing your own personal experience with me - it means a lot!

You're welcome, pisces! I'll just send you a PM since there are other things that I want to say that might be reeeaaaally off-topic for this thread. ;D

I want to add, though, that my favorite part of this fic is the "surveillance" part. Jackson is supposed to be a "professional" dedicated to his job, but we see little by little the obsession that is beginning to take over him. I love it when we see things through his perspective because his mind is so interesting.

[Cait]

Mar 30, 2011 2:14:52 GMT -5 impeachy said:

I want to add, though, that my favorite part of this fic is the "surveillance" part. Jackson is supposed to be a "professional" dedicated to his job, but we see little by little the obsession that is beginning to take over him. I love it when we see things through his perspective because his mind is so interesting.

I completely agree with you here. That was what drew me in because I just loved the idea of Jackson developing an obsession over Lisa. It wasn't just a job to him anymore, he enjoyed watching her, and like Zombiekitten mentioned, those things add flaw to his character and I love it. I also loved how he would watch the "Lisa-cam", just because he wanted to.

[Zombiekitten]

Mar 29, 2011 15:46:05 GMT -5 Pisces said:

(Another love scene on the way in chapter 30... ;D)

Oh really!!! I'm dying to read it ! I thought they already had their last time together in chapter 24. Now I am happily surprised!
And, yes, I sure will let you know about my thoughts about the end of CtL.

[Zombiekitten]

*** spoilers ahead ***



Finished reading!!! ;D ;D ;D

Pisces, seriously, if I was a multy millionaire I would buy me Wes Craven, Cillian Murphy, Rachel McAdams and that whole damn Red Eye crew and I would produce Crossing the Line as a movie!! (of course would you write the script )
And if they refuse I would just kidnap them all. LOL

That was hell of a exciting last part!!! WOW! Again I have to say that it's so damn good written, the whole structure, the change between the different scenes, the settings... just everything!

I love how you described Jacksons addiction to Lisa. That she 's like a drug to him and he knows that every shot could kill him. I adore such metaphoric and visual writing!

And that part where she's fleeing with Jackson, wearing the body wire... I was so excited and afraid as well of what might happens if he finds out! Thrilling!!
But how sweet of him that he was saving her life... telling her to hide in the toilet while there was this gun fight outside...

And the moment where she begins to realize that she's also addicted to him... arrrr... stupid girl!! Too late!

One of my very favorite parts: When Lisa buys the Jonny Walker (was it JW ??) just to remember the taste of Jacksons kisses... So irrational and emotional but also very real and understandable at the same time (I could understand her! Already did similar things myself *blushes*)
And I had to quote this one sentence which I find so breath taking beautifully written.... A little masterpiece of a sentence:

Haunted by the sweet, torturesome memory, a painful ache bloomed in her chest like a poison flower.


Finally, their last moment together... Again a sensual and hot love scene... By the way: I love that you described Jackson as surprisingly gentle when it comes to make love.
And then, I knew it was coming, Jackson dies... I was crying so hard, believe me... It was hurting, really deeply hurting. My heart was aching. Because you described Jackson so vivid and human and believable, in that moment of reading it was really like someone you know is dying. (I always tend to feel very strong with imaginary characters. If in films or books... But besides that it just shows the quality of your writing. If an imaginary character is boring and dull described then you would never feel with him.)
But at the same time it was beautiful written. Poetic, unobtrusive, and quiet.
The way he feels no pain... dies in the most positive way he could imagine, in the arms of a beautiful woman...
It was so sad... Although I was wishing that they make it I know that a happy ending might have been too kitchy.
What was your reason to decide to let Jackson die? Or was it more like a matter of instinct? I'm just curious.

Oh! And what I also loved was that whole scene in the end when Lisa was protecting Jackson from Mathis with her body! And Jackson was aiming his gun from behind her on the Detective... his faith in her that she would might kill Mathis to protect him... and how he was pride of her in that moment. Gosh!! Just breath taking. They really could have been kind of a Bonnie and Clyde pairing.

And Lisa in the end... shooting Mathis. (Your fade out was clever!! I like that!)
But what will her life going to be after she lost Jackson and became a murderer? I wonder. I really wonder. What do you think, Pisces? Have you thought about that?



Thanks for this experience !
I hope to read something new from you in the future. *encourages you*

And like Cait I feel now that watching Red Eye will never be the same after reading CtL, after getting to know Jackson from the deepest of his heart.
I haven't read any other Red Eye fanfic yet. But I can't imagine (seriously can't) that there could be a better one than yours.


P.S.: I also enjoyed your short story "A Little Maintenance". So funny and clever how you lead the reader in a complete wrong way... LOL
That was really original!! I liked it very much. ;D

[Pisces]

Mar 30, 2011 16:59:46 GMT -5 Cait said:

I just loved the idea of Jackson developing an obsession over Lisa. It wasn't just a job to him anymore, he enjoyed watching her, and like Zombiekitten mentioned, those things add flaw to his character and I love it. I also loved how he would watch the "Lisa-cam", just because he wanted to.

I'm glad you enjoyed the "prequel" parts, Cait! I wanted to show how isolating that sort of work would have been for Jackson, and how that isolation would have fed some of those less-than-professional behaviors he engaged in with respect to Lisa. Although he never disrespected her (he declines to place a camera in her bedroom), she had become his only real companion during the over-long surveillance. That's bound to have an effect on someone, particularly someone as meticulous, focused and ruthless as Jackson. Basically, he was a lonely guy, and there came a point when talking to Lisa, even if she couldn't hear him or respond, was better than talking to himself.

[Pisces]

Zombie - THANK YOU from the bottom of my soul for this special review; I have reread it multiple times since yesterday, drinking in your wonderful words of praise. Nothing, but NOTHING, is more affirming to me than when someone quotes something I wrote back to me, because then I know what hit home most for that reader. So, thank you especially for doing that.

Yes, it was Johnny Walker - Blue Label. I think a lot of people can identify with linking a taste, a scent, to a lover - and have been blindsided by the avalance of emotion when faced with that sensory link in absence of the person they relate it to. That can be excruciatingly painful, yet the only way to experience the person again; I'm sure plenty of readers have identified with Lisa in her JW-tasting moment.

It's funny that you ask if I have thought much about Lisa and what would have happened to her afterwards. I sheepishly confess that the answer is no. I know what would have realistically happened, and my mind doesn't pursue it very far. For me, the story ends on the roof of that parking garage - it ends when Jack's life ends. Because to me, it was primarily his story.

Thank you for saying that you won't be able to watch RE again without thinking of this fic - I, of course, have always had the same issue. LOL. I'm sure all fic writers believe their version is the "correct" one, and I am no different in that regard!

I don't know if I will write another fic - I have never been what one would call a prolific writer. Often, I let years pass between writerly efforts. There are many reasons that CTL was a success, and I'm not sure those exact conditions will exist again for any other movie. Plus, I need to be inspired - I had never before felt as driven to write about anyone as I was for Jackson, so I don't expect to feel that level of inspiration any time soon. If I do (and Leon has a shot at pulling that off), that will be great... if not... (shrug). LOL. I like inspiration to find me, not the other way around.

Once more - a deep and warm THANK YOU for reading Crossing the Line, and for letting me in on your thoughts and feelings about it. There is no greater reward.

[disarm79]

I really need to pay more attention to the fanfics. You are all so talented!!!

I seen a few people posting on this thread a couple weeks ago, but didnt dare read any comments. So I'm just letting you know Pisces that I started reading your story. I'm on chapter 7, and I'm a very slow reader so it will take awhile to get thru it all. so far it's a thrilling story but now it's going to be hard not to think this was the story line before the movie takes place(for the next time I watch Red Eye) lol! Have a CB