User blog comment:MichaelDiaz101/Alone/@comment-26358727-20151120193656

Hi Michael, I know I've been very sporadic with my feedback lately as college has really been kicking my butt, but I felt like I had to leave a little something for you here. I'm too emotionally drained these days to fill this with the constructive criticism I know I should include, so I apologize in advance. However, I think it's important to take a moment to let you know that your work - including the ones that I haven't had the time to comment on - are hugely inspiring.

Greg is young, but his life experience really sets him apart from the other characters within his age group and you really do a great job at characterizing him this way. He's so far ahead of his peers in terms of growing up that it's like they live in entirely separate worlds and while I once thought it would be nice to see Greg and his clique really bond, I think this stark contrast really highlights a different theme entirely. It would be nice to see his clique catch up with him eventually in the maturity department, but at the same time, it would almost be more realistic to say they never do.

A lot of your newer work really seems to tackle these big, almost abstract adult situations that so many people actually have to struggle with day in and day out. Bully has a rather juvenile atmosphere, of course, but there's plenty of serious and really thought-provoking content just below the surface (Mandy's struggles and Lola's behavior are among those that come to mind).

High school itself is a bout self-discovery and your characters all seem to battle with this "coming of age" notion. Where the actual game fails to include this in the resolution (Jimmy takes over the school, he gets the girl, etc.), your stories delve right into the human side of the characters while continuing to remain in-tune with the original "clique-oriented" stereotypes.

Your work is raw, and it's human, and it's 100% relatable - and I want you to know that I adore your work for this very reason, even if I don't always have the time to comment on it all. Thank you for continuing to share your work with us, and I eagerly await more from you! ( :