Author: Dark Starlighter
Date posted: 3/1/2004 11:15:27 PM
Dark Starlighter's Comments:

Geez, this story is a little on the heavy side. In Sci-Fi/Fantasy, one imagines an escape from the everyday rituals of life, from the politics and issues that constantly drone from our TV sets like a bad Orwellian parody.

The Star Wars fan-fiction forum is not the place for pro-life or pro-abortion sentiments. This piece is not worthy of SW fan fiction.

Author: Ghost
Date posted: 3/1/2004 11:41:40 PM
Ghost's Comments:

I disagree. It's not a statement about a social issue. It's a story about the choices one makes, and the consequences of that decision. Maybe it was the wrong decision, but it was made and it still tears at Mara's soul. Star Wars is full of these stories. This is good work and is WORTHY of being on this site, regardless of one's personal beliefs. Nuff said.

Author: Sgt_Bean
Date posted: 3/2/2004 4:45:31 AM
Sgt_Bean's Comments:

Although this is a heavy issue with many opinions and beliefs, it was definitely worthy o fan-fiction. The story is not the reflection of the writer's beliefs, but what the writer thinks may be part of Mara's past. Very well written. Made me wanna cry...and I'm in Baghdad and have seen death. Good job!!

Author: LianaMara
Date posted: 3/2/2004 6:19:10 AM
LianaMara's Comments:

Author replies- I'm on time for once! ;)

Thank you to everyone who read this. This viggie was written after a discussion with a friend about the psychological trauma women who have lost a child suffer. After looking over statistics and facts, I felt like I had to write something.

Uber huggies to julie-marthe, my dear Master Mummy, and everyone else who helped beta this. Julie- your beta was so relevent and helped a lot. Thank you! :)

*huggles oba for just being oba, and for helping with fonts*

Dark Starlighter-
I'm sorry you didn't like it. While writing this, I tried my hardest to keep any personal feelings on the matter out of the fic, and worked very hard at immersing myself in Mara's mindset. But I've never looked at Star Wars as an escapist world. Many of the issues dwelt upon in the films and the EU rebound with current events in the world, at least for me. Civil wars, corruption, cloning...the SW universe is not any closer to a perfect society than the real world is. People experience pain, and troubles. And to me, Mara is a character who has suffered much, much more than is ever explained in the EU. Whether by a miscarriage or an abortion, the loss of a child leaves emotional and psychological scars on the mother. I tried to portray Mara's sense of loss in a delicate way.

Ghost and Sgt_Bean-
Thank you. :)

Author: Lank_Pavail
Date posted: 3/2/2004 8:05:46 AM
Lank_Pavail's Comments:

Very well crafted and done, Liana. Had me on the verge of tears. Poor Mara.

Author: Myst
Date posted: 3/2/2004 9:55:55 AM
Myst's Comments:

Excuse me mr. Dark Starlighter but if you think that was heavy,than you have not read the New Jedi Order Series. The fan fic archives is the perfect place for stories such as these. I personally loved your story. The Star Wars Galaxy needs more of the things you are writing. keep writing and may the force be with you.

Author: Nameloc Rillem
Date posted: 3/2/2004 11:10:19 AM
Nameloc Rillem's Comments:

Wow! Great story, very emotional and powerful. Do I approve of Mara's choice, no. However her anguish makes the story work and is sorthy to be posted here. I hope you do more as this was very good.

Author: Herman Snerd  (signed)
Date posted: 3/2/2004 2:34:40 PM
Herman Snerd's Comments:

As one of the reviewers for this story, I felt that the author did a trememdous job writing about a very sensitive subject. While Mara does show regret over her past actions, the story does not go on to imply a moral judgement on what is a real life issue.

As it's written, Mara's remorse is an indictment solely of her own personal choice. The point of the story (as I read it) wasn't to say that anybody who has done as she did is a terrible person, but rather was to show Mara coming to terms with something that she now sorely regrets.

Author: Coruscant JEdi
Date posted: 3/2/2004 3:43:44 PM
Coruscant JEdi's Comments:

Very well written. A good story with the proper mix of emotions. Most worthy and impressive.

Author: MJ
Date posted: 3/2/2004 4:02:02 PM
MJ's Comments:

This is intersting I must agree. The intersting thing is that we try not to think about the news or politcs and it follows us. It will hunt us. I am 14 but was very interged by this story. One question was ay satr wars. There are many more books more appoerit. But them again maybe star wars is the most apporite.

Author: MJSLSBS
Date posted: 3/2/2004 5:56:12 PM
MJSLSBS's Comments:

Great Story i really enjoyed betering it. Great work Lina. i'm looking foward to reading it again

MJSLSBS

Author: Thuku
Date posted: 3/2/2004 6:25:23 PM
Thuku's Comments:

Good work, Liana. You're a wonderful writer.

Author: JediDare
Date posted: 3/2/2004 7:36:45 PM
JediDare's Comments:

I enjoyed this piece of fiction - very well-written!

The idea of Mara's struggling with the repercussions of her past as the Emperor's Hand gives lots of fuel for imagination... I was only sorry that it ended so soon. I would love to see what happens next.

As for the theme of the story, I agree with the fans who said this story does belong here. No matter if your views are pro choice or pro life, it's easy to recognize Mara's tragedy here - because she wasn't given the chance even to make that choice! We know from RotJ that Luke and Leia were put into hiding b/c they were a threat to the Emperor. If Mara were to have a child it would be no different. This story (at least from my point of view :-) is about the Emperor’s continued pattern of finding the quick and easy way to dispose of what threatens him, and Mara's regret for ever having giving him power over her and her life.

Good stuff. Hope to read more like it...

JediDare

Author: Darkmoon_90  (signed)
Date posted: 3/3/2004 9:16:17 AM
Darkmoon_90's Comments:

You're all missing the point. It's a good story and leave it at that!

Author: Daughter of Flame
Date posted: 3/3/2004 12:45:17 PM
Daughter of Flame's Comments:

I have to disagree with [b] Darklighter [/b] . Trying to escape from every-day-life to the point that you avoid valid issues is nothing short of cowardly. Falling into a fantasy world is great. We all do it everyday, but issues still exist there, too. While maybe openly discussing ethical issues is somewhat uncomfortable, it shouldn't be disallowed.
I loved the way you wrote this from first person. It added depth to the entire thing.
I thought the best part of this, though, is how you tied Mara's past to her present. Not many authors do that very well.
I have to say that you did a wonderful job overall, both with the remorse the character feels, and her thoughts to the future.
No matter what anyone else says, even if it does deal with touchy issues, this vignette is very well written. END OF STORY.

Author: Jack90Cool
Date posted: 3/3/2004 2:00:48 PM
Jack90Cool's Comments:

I think that this story seems abit unnatural for Mara. It seems absurd that this didn't affect her more profoundly and alter the NJO series.

Author: Padawan_Mindalen
Date posted: 3/4/2004 3:05:54 PM
Padawan_Mindalen's Comments:

Liana,
I was very impressed with your story. Whether we, as a society, choose to accept abortion or not, it is a part of our world and cannot simply be left in the corner. The feelings of anguish felt by Mara were so vivid that they were practically real. I commend you on your excellent piece of writing and encourage you to continue to follow your heart.
~MissMariMindalen

Author: Mark Jade
Date posted: 3/4/2004 9:10:04 PM
Mark Jade's Comments:

Very powerful and inciteful. Full of very real imagery and emotions.. Good Job with a touchy subject. But like Anakin.. Mara made a choice, on that she regrets after she matured and had time to think of it.

I think you could have expanded the ending just a little. Knowing Luke as we do he would be understanding, loving and supportive of her delemia and her pain.

But than again, by leaving it this way the reader can write the scene in their imagination as well... both very good ways to end a powerful story like this
Bravo
Mark

Author: jediknightleia
Date posted: 3/5/2004 2:19:22 PM
jediknightleia's Comments:

Awsome fic very well written. I have never written a response to a fic here but this story is amazing. Keep it up!

Author: Nade_Naberrie  (signed)
Date posted: 3/6/2004 11:11:37 AM
Nade_Naberrie's Comments:

I must admit, I am not a big fan of Mara-centered fanfictions. I generally tend to skip over any stories with Mara listed as a main character, but this one drew me in, simply because I've admired some of your other work. I'm very glad I stumbled upon this piece.

I absolutely *must* applaud for your courage to place such a touchy political subject into the Star Wars universe, knowing that it might strike the nerves of some readers (as we have seen). I personally thought, like many others, that Mara's regret is the dominating theme, and her coming to terms with it- NOT whether she is pro-life or pro-choice.

A very well-written vignette, full of power and nearly-overwhelming emotion. (I, too, was near tears!) Thank you, Liana.

Author: Siri_Ruane  (signed)
Date posted: 3/8/2004 6:03:18 PM
Siri_Ruane's Comments:

I'm with Nade_Naberrie on this one. I enjoyed the story, but your guts impressed me even more! Rock on. :-P

Author: JAGSGURL15
Date posted: 3/8/2004 7:10:00 PM
JAGSGURL15's Comments:

Liana: this is a very very well written piece... while different... it is still a must read


and while yes i do think of SW as a way to escape my life... i disagree with Darklighter wholeheartedly... Abortions and such tramatic matters happen everywhere including Star Wars

Author: sashask8ter
Date posted: 3/9/2004 8:48:30 PM
sashask8ter's Comments:

I love it!! I'm really anti-abortion (but I'm also really liberal...)

Author: Shadow Jedi 1
Date posted: 3/9/2004 9:13:40 PM
Shadow Jedi 1's Comments:

I liked this story and the way it was written. Keep up the good work.

Author: Nol Tel Sete
Date posted: 3/23/2004 11:14:55 AM
Nol Tel Sete's Comments:

This is a very powerful peice of writting in both the SW Universe as well as teh universe that we call reallity I believe that you captured Mara Jade pain and regret perfectly. I commend you on your ability to see and feel through the characters. Keep up the good work I hope to read more from you.

May The Force Be With You Always

Author: Jedi Antane
Date posted: 3/24/2004 8:30:48 AM
Jedi Antane's Comments:

Wonderful story! I applaud you for making so pro-life story, a very believable, very accurate portrayal of what a woman goes through when she realizes she's murdered her child. I was hoping Mara could find a Project Rachel (organization that helps those who have had an abortion and are suffering because of it), but she's got Luke and that will be enough. And for those who don't think it belongs - I ask you to read (or re-read) Dark Empire, Balance Point and Rebirth - all deal with the reality and humanity of the unborn child. So bravo, Lina, more, more!

Author: Jedi Knight Quia Lor  (signed)
Date posted: 3/26/2004 3:49:56 PM
Jedi Knight Quia Lor's Comments:

A beautiful job, LianaMara! I didn't even note the contreversy it may stir up until I read the comment. You did extremely well with such a delicate subject matter! Having just ventured in the world of the New Jedi Order and finally truly meeting Mara, I can see the new Mara conflicting with the old in this piece.

Ali-in-all, a great piece.
BRAVO!

Quia

Author: JediMasterMariana  (signed)
Date posted: 4/6/2004 8:57:24 PM
JediMasterMariana's Comments:

Wow! That was so beautiful and sad! Great job, LianaMara!

Author: JediQueen
Date posted: 4/8/2004 9:51:54 PM
JediQueen's Comments:

You're the best writer here because your the bravest. I've read all of your fan-fics except one. The way you write with such clarity and conviction and then at the same time not pushing the views expressed in your story to a point where they would only fall on deaf ears shows not only a great talent but also some very admirable standards. Keep it up.

Author: Jara
Date posted: 4/24/2004 6:24:58 AM
Jara's Comments:

Great story!!!
It is not as superficial as some SW-novels, especialy as the New Jedi Order.
There are not much people that can write heavy stories that good!
I realy like heavy srories like that.
I think you have a great understanding of people, their emotions and their sorrows.
Never stop writing!

Author: Silvertongue  (signed)
Date posted: 10/10/2004 5:34:02 PM
Silvertongue's Comments:

Great story. I liked the way you portrayed a mother's anguish at losing a child. Very realistic. And the ending was a surprise, considering Mara's character. I really liked it.

Author: KLC
Date posted: 12/14/2004 8:57:06 PM
KLC's Comments:

I don't really see this happening in Mara's past. It looks to me a past pregnancy would have shown up in the books somehow.

Author: AFbeauty
Date posted: 12/20/2004 12:59:04 PM
AFbeauty's Comments:

It was a little heavy, but still very good. i love it when someone puts a character through something people with in realy life. It helps us get through the real thing when someone we relate too and admire goes through the same thing. Even if they aren't real.

Author: Amythest
Date posted: 12/27/2004 6:30:27 PM
Amythest's Comments:

Wow. That was definately heavy, but completely amazing. It was sad, but Mara's past was sad-- all in all, it captures the emotions very, very well. And though I must admit I speak from a very anti-abortion standpoint, I think that both sides of that issue should be able to appreciate what is really conveyed in this story. It does come over heavily pro-life, but even pro-choice people can see that in this story, Mara was given no choice. This is more than anything a love story-- a mother's love for her child, and a person's love and trust in his or her spouse.

Author: PrincessSkywalkerOrgana
Date posted: 12/30/2004 12:50:52 PM
PrincessSkywalkerOrgana's Comments:

Great fic. I think you deal with the gravity of the issue well. How the issue is a deep one.

Author: PrincessSkywalkerOrgana
Date posted: 12/30/2004 12:50:56 PM
PrincessSkywalkerOrgana's Comments:

Great fic. I think you deal with the gravity of the issue well. How the issue is a deep one.

Author: Jedi Grey
Date posted: 2/21/2005 8:45:18 AM
Jedi Grey's Comments:

I have to say that this is an excellent piece, and strangely enough, VERY in character for Mara Jade. The idea of having such feelings of regret, and there description leads me to wonder. Did you happen to speak to a woman who's had an abortion? I have, and this sounds disturbingly like experience talking. A wonderful piece altogether.

Author: LianaMara  (signed)
Date posted: 2/23/2005 4:58:37 PM
LianaMara's Comments:

Jedi Grey-

Thank you! Wow, I'm glad you liked it! :)

I did a bit of research before writing this - one of my friends' mum is a women's therapist, so I asked her some questions and then she gave me a book to read. It was stories about women who had lost babies, whether through abortion, a natural miscarriage, a stillborn birth, or an early sickness; learning about those experiences really influenced my writing of this story. I gained a lot of insight from those stories, so I tried to mesh the knowledge I gained from that book with how I thought Mara Jade would respond.

Author: LVB  (signed)
Date posted: 10/24/2005 7:05:26 AM
LVB's Comments:

This is great stuff. I've wondered about Mara's life as the EH and this is testament to some of the harships she would have had to endure.

Emotional, impeccibly written and fantastic.

Author: Princess Achlys
Date posted: 6/7/2006 10:28:43 PM
Princess Achlys's Comments:

this was an amazing fanfiction. i agree with some of the reviewers when they say that this story is about the choices we make. i believe that this fanfiction teaches us how to think before we make a life-changing decision, in other words, "look before we leap". true, Mara made the wrong choice, but that will help her to see that one has many things to hesitate for. maybe i'm just over-analyzing, but this is a wonderful fanfiction. i applaud you!

Author: Shuro  (signed)
Date posted: 2/26/2007 10:33:47 PM
Shuro's Comments:

"Geez, this story is a little on the heavy side. In Sci-Fi/Fantasy, one imagines an escape from the everyday rituals of life, from the politics and issues that constantly drone from our TV sets like a bad Orwellian parody.

The Star Wars fan-fiction forum is not the place for pro-life or pro-abortion sentiments. This piece is not worthy of SW fan fiction."
dude what makes it unworthy of being here? all its saying is that Mara regretted a decision that she made, and i regret to tell you that we are not perfect and i regret most if not all mistakes ive made...theres maeby a little pro life but nothing to complain about!
"I disagree. It's not a statement about a social issue. It's a story about the choices one makes, and the consequences of that decision. Maybe it was the wrong decision, but it was made and it still tears at Mara's soul. Star Wars is full of these stories. This is good work and is WORTHY of being on this site, regardless of one's personal beliefs. Nuff said. "
couldnt have said it better

Author: minä
Date posted: 5/3/2008 3:40:01 PM
minä's Comments:

This is a wonderful piece of work. I really can see how a younger, more reckless Mara could have gotten herself pregnant in the heat of the moment, forgetting the birth control in the midst of an early mission, and how the Emperor would have made her do away with it.

Some here have said that basically Mara isn't sentimental enough to regret something like this, but I disagree. Point one, Mara is probably very young and less jaded here than later in her life as an assassin. Point two, as with Vader and Luke fiction, my opinion is that being able to love your own child doesn't alone make you a good person, it might be called the basest requirement of a person who isn't a complete sociopath. So Mara can be a merciless assassin and still mourn her unborn child. Point three, just because Mara doesn't show her feelings easily doesn't mean she has none. Its not like she is telling the tale of her life to some obscure confidant here.

This fic was very well written and I like everything with Mara on it. Well, not everything, but Mara can redeem a whole lot. Keep up the good work!

Author: darthmatrix101
Date posted: 10/9/2008 9:43:09 PM
darthmatrix101's Comments:

honestly idon't agree with Dark Starlighter
i think that star wars can be used as an escape from daily life
but you need connections to make it seem real
to know its not all flowers and fairies
but its difficult
just like our world
GREAT story! sad and somewhat awkward but good

Author: FrodoTheCatholicHobbit
Date posted: 4/18/2010 11:40:47 PM
FrodoTheCatholicHobbit's Comments:

This is the best story on the site. Fantastic. Seriously, why havn't abortion issues come up in SW before? You totally displayed the situation how it (relatively, considering most people don't have to contend with Siths) really is. Abortion brings absolute trauma, nothing else. And I don't see why it would be a bad thing if you meant this to be pro-life. I loved this. 14 years old and homeschooled and thought it was totally appropriate. Didn't want it to happen to Mara but it was great any-freaking-way. Yeah, I am pro-life, and murder is not a political issue. Thank you for writing this. I'm done.

Author: Tenages
Date posted: 3/3/2011 10:45:31 PM
Tenages's Comments:

The stories well written, but I didn't find it that emotionally gripping. It felt to me like we were hammered with how we should feel about Mara's decision, rather than telling a story. But a good piece regardless.

I do however, have to take issue with this statement by the author.

"Thank you to everyone who read this. This viggie was written after a discussion with a friend about the psychological trauma women who have lost a child suffer. After looking over statistics and facts, I felt like I had to write something."

If you want Mara to be a woman who feels psychological trauma over that decision, that's fine and some women do indeed feel that way. However, your reference to "statistics and facts" heavily implies that this is how the vast majority of women who have an abortion feel. And that just isn't true.

Studies show that the rate of women with emotional trauma post-abortion is in fact not significantly higher than the rate of women seeking psychological help after giving birth. 15/1000 women, or 1.5% of those having abortions suffer from emotional trauma afterwards. It's hardly the widespread, devastating issue that a number of commenters are making it out to be.