Ultimate Dream League Discussion and Speculation

[Dreamchild]

You enjoying Ultimate Dream League? Got something to say? Or do you have an idea of what's going to happen in the ongoing plot and you'd like to get it off your chest? This is the thread for you!

That's right, this thread allows speculation, because, technically, guessing [x] is going to happen to [y] isn't a spoiler. It's conjecture!

But before anyone cares to post their ideas or comments, or even speculations, I just want to once again thank everyone who supported me and said very kind words. You guys really helped. No joke.

I'm also interested in criticisms, but please be constructive. I'm much more interested in why you feel something, opposed to being told "Your fic is bad and you should feel bad." For realz.

Well, then!

[The Wastelander]

I read some of Issue #1 and I like what I see. Can Wastelander appear in the next issue.

[Dreamchild]

We'll see. At this point, every single character in standard canon isn't guaranteed to show up, and those who are planned to show up... well... let's just say I'm purposefully making the anticipation difficult. lol

[Doctor Delbert Doppler]

Well, I enjoyed it -- the characters, the cameos, the writing style.

- I think you've done a better job with Duckworth then I have RPing him.

- It's interesting how sharp-tongued DC is compared to how she was portrayed in the RP, but your explanation to why you did this makes total sense, and furthermore it works.

- It's really nice to see someone actually depict Hercules (whose actually one of my favorite characters ever, IMHO) as he was in the film, as more often then not he gets written off as being a complete idiot. I like how had MM and DA as knowing each other's identities too.

- Herc's dream sequence was hilarious and the way I like seeing dream sequences written and write them myself: they seem normal at first glance, but then there's one or two way-out-there elements that make it feel surreal.

- Sunshine and Herc's meeting was adorably awkward.

Uh, what else? Oh yeah: RITE MOOR.

[Dreamchild]

Thanks for reading it and enjoying it, Nicole! I'm humbled.

Haha! It's funny how you said that about Duckworth, because, no joke, I was a little worried I'd screw him up badly when I started this thing! I wouldn't say I'm better than you, though. Give yourself credit; I loved his interactions with Dreamchild. :3 For UDL, I knew from day one he needed to have a prominent role. While characters will come as they're introduced, at the heart of the group, I view Duckworth as the wisest man in the Overlook, aside from MM. Plus, he's just so damn cool. lol I always loved him.

Yeah, Dreamchild's crumpets are tougher, and her tea is more bitter than usual. lol But don't worry, she won't change in Dream League if activity returns. It's just for UDL.

Thank you about your kind words about Hercules. I know I said I was a tiny bit nervous about Duckworth and moreso with MM, but Hercules was by far the scariest. I think I did kinda stumble in one or two scenes--I regret the chicken eating bit, because I feel that overstepped it--but I really did try my best to present him like how he really is. In the words of Andreas Deja (his supervising animator), "he's just a naive kid trapped in a big body." Innocent and gentle, but never stupid.

In fact, if I may meander a bit, that was one of the things Emma and I used to fuel Hercules and Alice's friendship in RP. Hercules is often mistaken by viewers as a moron, and Alice is often mistake as cold and heartless. So. Screw those naysayers sideways, they have a bond, despite their many differences. So, yeah, UDL is, in that way, an old dog learning new tricks, except they're not the only focus. Moving on!

Yeah, about DA and MM knowing each other's identities in UDL, the answer is I knew that them learning each other's in canon was something we planned, and I didn't wanna steal your thunder.

Sorry for going off on another tangent, but like you said, dreams are much more powerful when they're normal, but there's one or two things different that make it shocking. I'll give you a quick example. I once dreamed that I was at home, and it was completely normal. Everything in the living room and out the windows were the same. I was wandering around, perfectly fine. But when I entered the bathroom, the sink was a crockpot that had a lid on it, a ladle placed beside it. It wasn't until I woke up and thought about it when I realized just how bizarre that was. lol

Thank you! Sunshine and Herc's meeting was tricky, but I'm glad people like it. I forgot to mention this in the commentary, but Sunshine's reaction in the kitchen (when she walks in to get her dinner) was the last bit completed in the final draft.

That was a lot longer than I expected, sorry. Guess I just felt like sharing the process, instead of being aloof and impersonal. *shrug*

Anyway! The good news is you really shouldn't wait that long for Issue #2. I'm predicting a Friday release. Ciao!

[The Wastelander]

Just in case you do put my star character in...

Here's his backstory:
fantasmick.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dlorigins&action=display&thread=1618

And here is his other info:

fantasmick.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dlprofiles&action=display&thread=1613

[Dreamchild]

Thanks for the links! We'll see how it turns out! But I have to remind you that characters will only be included if they fit the story. I won't know for sure until I write.

In other news, I locked the info thread. I realized that three separate topics about UDL is a little excessive, so guess we'll stick to this thread for active news.

[Dreamchild]

Hey, guys. Very sorry about the delay, but the release date has (very obviously) moved from Thursday to Friday. I'm so freakin' tired that I need sleep, but I DID apply the latest chapter to the FanFiction.Net account. So, you can read it there. I'll post it here in FD later today (it's 4 AM here). Later!

[Cold Shadow]

I just finished reading the first issue. My boy, you make me proud, deep down in the cockles of my thickest muscle. It was every bit worth the time and effort you put into it, and I can't wait to read the next issue.

The exchanges between Masked Mallard and Duck Avenger genuinely amused me, and every line spoken by Duckworth was golden. Some of my favorite quotes are to be found between those three characters. Dreamchild's new impish alter-ego personality is going to fun to play around with when you write her dialogue.

There were some great cameos present, and I'm glad to see that you're taking it slow in revealing characters throughout the story. It makes it more interesting that way, and gives you more material to work with down the road.

All in all a very strong start and very engrossing. Keep on trucking!

SPOILER: Click to show

The late night visitor to Herc is Bongo. I'm calling it!

[Dreamchild]

Thank you, Collin!

Looks like Duckworth is top-tier.



"Will Sir Duckworth be forced to asphyxiate a mistress?"

[Sunshine]

Status Update!

Issue #3's rough draft is progressing smoothly. Well, probably not as much and as fast as I would like, but smoothly all the same! I am kinda under the clock this time, though. I leave for a multi-day trip next Wednesday (22nd), and I come home the following Monday (27th). I'm not going to turn Issue #3 into a nerve-wracking trial--I must get some enjoyment out of all the stress and challenge!--but I would ideally like to be done with it before I leave. No guarantees, guys. The next issue will either be done by next Wednesday, or it'll be put on hold for a little less than a week.

Stay on drugs, don't do school!

Edit: The rough draft is about two scenes away from completion. Then the REAL work begins.

[Dreamchild]

Yo!

Issue #3's rough draft is finished. Now I need to do one read-through finalization, then another read-through for a second finalization, and then proofread. You all know the drill! I'm gonna have to pick up the pace, though, if I want to get this out before I leave for a near week-long trip on Wednesday.

[Sunshine]

Issue #3 may be released, but I doubt I'll write the commentary until after my trip. Also, I won't start Issue #4's rough draft until after the trip. I need a short break. lol

[Dreamchild]

Things have been pretty quiet in the Ultimate Dream League world, hasn't it? Yeah, my trip was extended--twice. Some very unfortunate personal matters have come up, and they've challenged me like... uh... like a bitch. Sorry to swear, but it's been REALLY tough. =/

But despite my present conflicts, I'm happy to say that Issue #4's rough draft has started, so it will definitely be completed sometime in the future. Dunno when, but sometime; I won't sacrifice quality for speed, like I did last issue. Issue #4 will focus on Hercules and his cousin.

[Doctor Delbert Doppler]

No big. I just hope real life calms down for you and that you're feeling better soon. Regarding the release of issue #four, I totally agree. Quality writing is preferable to seeing something that was obviously rushed out to appease people or whatever.

[Cold Shadow]

No excuses. Your life is henceforth devoted solely to writing UDL.

[Dreamchild]

Thank you, Nicole! And thank you, Collin! I wouldn't say I'm doing "better," but I'm definitely calmer and a lot more in control, which... is better. Okay. lol

My life shall be devoted solely to writing UDL? If I was paid that'd be pretty sweet, actually. lol But then I would have to pay royalties to you all for your original creations/alter egos, so I guess you all would actually wish I was paid for writing UDL!

In fact, maybe I should just answer a potential question: "Why are there credits after every issue? Shouldn't it be at the beginning or the end of the volume?" Well, the reason is I want to make sure that you all get as much attention as possible, because you guys gave UDL life. I'm not planting my lips on your right butt cheek and kissing it, I'm dead serious. If it wasn't for you guys UDL wouldn't exist, despite me writing the bulk of UDL's original storyline. All the characters, the mythos, everything remotely Epcot City, you all had a hand. And also, if FanFiction.Net's confusing traffic counter is any indication, not every reader reads every issue, so what if they were to miss out on reading you guys' deserved credit?

Plus, it's just cool! It's like the end of a Disney Afternoon superhero cartoon, with a catchy, late 80's/early 90's saxophone playing for a bit, and then the chorus! "THEY'RE THE DREAM LEAGUE!"

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TAD STONES

Distributed by Buena Vista Television [/Orange Disney castle logo with tingling sound]

... Hey, guys? From the issue(s) you've read, would you rather this be a (high quality) 2D animated show, or a (high quality) comic book? Is that a vain question? I think it's fun, but if it's pretentious then damnation, I'll just cruise with Sunshine.

[Cold Shadow]

Jun 4, 2013 1:51:36 GMT -8 Dreamchild said:

My life shall be devoted solely to writing UDL? If I was paid that'd be pretty sweet, actually. lol But then I would have to pay royalties to you all for your original creations/alter egos, so I guess you all would actually wish I was paid for writing UDL!

Disney would sue us all. *Looks nervously over shoulder*

As for an animated series vs. comic book, I say comic book. When it comes to the Dream League, my answer is always going to be comic book in these multiple choice scenarios, haha.

"Comic book or graphic novel?!"

[Dreamchild]

Yeah, we couldn't actually get paid for anything fan related to Disney. lol

If I had a billion bucks, I'd spend some to have a graphic novel adaptation of at least one Dream League thread. Yes.

[Dreamchild]

Status Update:

Issue #4's rough draft is up to 2,000 words. Definitely much slower paced than before. I've had bothersome issues of varying degrees, but I think I'm finally getting stabler. Yeah. The intro was rewritten about five times before I was satisfied. No, this puppy ain't dead. But it sure is mighty slow.

[Dreamchild]

For the past thirty days, I've encountered problems that have challenged me both mentally and spiritually. I've been through Hell and back. This has stinted Issue #4 horribly, but the good news is the wait is finally almost over.

Issue #4, the rough draft of which is nearly complete, will be released within seven days. I can't say which day, but definitely within a week. Stay tuned.

[Donald Duck]

Guys, I made a small goof. In Issue #3, "Zero to Hero Part III," it was stated a few times that the event took place on Saturday night.

In the opening of Issue #4, the setting was described as "a day after the event," and that Dreamchild "was currently in class in St. Blair." But then that would mean it was Sunday, not Monday (when she would be in class for real). So, if nobody objects too much, I'm going to make this small change, from Sunday to Monday.

I'm trying my best to not pull a George Lucas, but I consider this particular accident a flaw.

[Donald Duck]

SPOILER: Click to show

“I couldn’t agree more. Let’s blow his fuse!”


This line was said by Dreamchild regarding Megavolt. I did NOT intend any sexual innuendo at all, I swear. Yowch. lol

[Dreamchild]

Issue #5 was on schedule, but the surgery I was waiting on turned out to be scheduled less than a week ago, and I've been recovering ever since. Some of you know this story already, but I had two growths on my left foot. I had a biopsy done, and while said growths aren't cancerous, they are unsightly little buggers that swell like balloons if left alone. So, yeah, I agreed to have them extracted.

And now here I am, bedridden four nights in counting. My left foot stings like crazy and I'm not strong enough to sit at the laptop.

I'm afraid the series is on hold until I can recover. Thanks for understanding!