Hatrack River Writers Workshop   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Writers Workshop » Forums » Fragments and Feedback for Short Works » cleaner p2

   
Author Topic: cleaner p2
deckof50
Member
Member # 2476

 - posted      Profile for deckof50   Email deckof50         Edit/Delete Post 
This is the first 13 of the second part of a 4 part story, I've only written about 500 words so far, but let me know what you think of the fist 13. Thanks as always :)

The door was only slightly cracked open, yet the pungent smell of gun smoke flooded Franks nostrils. His heart sank a bit. Lots of gun smoke meant lots of guns. Lots of guns meant lots of mess. He looked at his watch. 10:30pm. He thought about calling Jan, but then thought better. Explaining himself to his girlfriend outside of a make-shift mortuary didn't seem like his most appealing option. He let out a sigh. He'd just have to hear about it in the morning.
He glanced down the hallway. The florescent lights cast a dreary yellow glow that somehow managed to make the ugly green walls even uglier.


Posts: 28 | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
deRost
Member
Member # 3089

 - posted      Profile for deRost   Email deRost         Edit/Delete Post 
Very nice. This definitely sets a mood, and describes the situation without feeling forced. I honestly don't have much of a critique as I can't find anything wrong here. Nicely written! I want to read more. MORE!!!!

I guess my only issue -- and it's one of preference -- is that you wrote the time with digits, rather than words. "Ten-thirty" sounds more like someone's thought than "10:30 PM". Your mental descriptions of the smell coming from the room, and your characters thoughts about it draw you in nicely, but then these digits appear and kind of give you a little slap.

I like it. I would love to read more.

[This message has been edited by deRost (edited December 22, 2005).]


Posts: 16 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
pantros
Member
Member # 3237

 - posted      Profile for pantros   Email pantros         Edit/Delete Post 
An incredible improvement over the original. It now seems that you know your characters and his job much better.
Posts: 370 | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
deckof50
Member
Member # 2476

 - posted      Profile for deckof50   Email deckof50         Edit/Delete Post 
thanks to you both :)
Posts: 28 | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
MG
Member
Member # 2938

 - posted      Profile for MG   Email MG         Edit/Delete Post 
Wow, this is so, so much better, decko.


Posts: 36 | Registered: Oct 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
wbriggs
Member
Member # 2267

 - posted      Profile for wbriggs   Email wbriggs         Edit/Delete Post 
I'll want to know soon why he's there, but for now, I'm happy and would keep reading. Oh, heck. I'm reasonably happy; but I'd be happier if I knew what was up with him, before the implications of gunsmoke and hte girlfriend.
Posts: 2830 | Registered: Dec 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
The Fae-Ray
Member
Member # 3084

 - posted      Profile for The Fae-Ray           Edit/Delete Post 
I haven't read the first version, but I'll point out what really bugged me in this one.

He hardly seems concerned at all with the fighting and (possibly) death outside. He just seems bored and annoyed. Maybe this character isn't the hero type, but it still seems like something is missing. There needs to be some sort of emotion in there, fear, worry, anger. Otherwise it seems (to me) that what happened outside isn't important at all. And even if the connection with the story isn't huge, something has still happened that will make readers wonder.


Posts: 67 | Registered: Dec 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2