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 » Dawn

   
Author Topic: Dawn
J
Member
Member # 2197

 - posted      Profile for J   Email J         Edit/Delete Post 
The light was gone. The plan had worked. The ocean of light surrounding the City was extinguished. Jenny had committed the last year of her life to creating the darkness around her. Now that she had succeeded, she was awed by its beauty.

Jenny surveyed the City, her soul glowing with the ecstasy of the glorious black. She glanced up. Clouds blanketed the night sky, covering the stars about which she had learned in school. She had seen them once, long ago, on a trip so far from the City that its light had faded to a green glow beyond the horizon. Perhaps now she would see them again, but not tonight. It was fitting that the stars remain hidden. Now was a time for darkness.

Jenny rose to one knee. Screams laced the muted air, floating from every direction. She hardened herself against pity. It was unavoidable that those who had never known night would panic at its sudden appearance.

Night. Jenny savored the rare word. Formerly rare, she thought. She giggled.

“Would you knock that off?” Kendrick said. “You’re freaking me out.”

Jenny snapped her teeth shut. The darkness seemed offended by her companion’s braying. Fool, she thought. How much longer must I endure his presence?

[This message has been edited by J (edited January 01, 2005).]


Posts: 683 | Registered: Oct 2004  | Report this post to a Moderator
Netstorm2k
Member
Member # 2279

 - posted      Profile for Netstorm2k   Email Netstorm2k         Edit/Delete Post 
Now that is an interesting opening. Set the hook in the first line; well done. I love that: "The light was gone. The plan had worked. The ocean of light surrounding the City was extinguished." Whammo, first line, right in your teeth.
First thing I wonder is, WHY? I assume Jenny is an Anti-protagonist, and she has some how cut the lights off.
Leaves me asking questions, wondering. Which is what it's supposed to do.
I'd like to read more.

Posts: 331 | Registered: Jan 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
AStJohn
Member
Member # 2280

 - posted      Profile for AStJohn   Email AStJohn         Edit/Delete Post 
Yeah... I would pretty much have to exactly agree with Netstorm. I'm not going to re-word and re-type everything Netstorm just said, so.... Nice job.

Oh yeah, there is one thing... It painted a awesome mental picture as you discribed the glow of the city from far away. Maybe that was just me... Oh well. Nice job.

[This message has been edited by AStJohn (edited January 02, 2005).]


Posts: 18 | Registered: Jan 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
Survivor
Member
Member # 213

 - posted      Profile for Survivor   Email Survivor         Edit/Delete Post 
Sounds like a fun beginning. What are you looking for here?
Posts: 8322 | Registered: Aug 1999  | Report this post to a Moderator
Beth
Member
Member # 2192

 - posted      Profile for Beth   Email Beth         Edit/Delete Post 
I like it, too, and I'm really interested to see what comes next.
Posts: 1750 | Registered: Oct 2004  | Report this post to a Moderator
J
Member
Member # 2197

 - posted      Profile for J   Email J         Edit/Delete Post 
To answer your question, Survivor, I'm looking for general impressions, particularly as to whether anyone finds the speed with which the reader is thrust into the unfamiliar mileu disengaging.

I'm also, as always, more than appreciative of any comments or criticisms on style and language use.


Posts: 683 | Registered: Oct 2004  | Report this post to a Moderator
Survivor
Member
Member # 213

 - posted      Profile for Survivor   Email Survivor         Edit/Delete Post 
Hmmm...the speed at which we're thrust into the milieu wasn't a problem, partly because we aren't thrust into a milieu just yet. The main impression I got was that this is going to be a sort of dark comedy...about darkness
Posts: 8322 | Registered: Aug 1999  | Report this post to a Moderator
AStJohn
Member
Member # 2280

 - posted      Profile for AStJohn   Email AStJohn         Edit/Delete Post 
Ha-huh! What a knee slapper!
Posts: 18 | Registered: Jan 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
katrinaro
New Member
Member # 2278

 - posted      Profile for katrinaro   Email katrinaro         Edit/Delete Post 
Oh, yeah - I'd read more of this in a heart beat.
Posts: 7 | Registered: Dec 2004  | Report this post to a Moderator
W. Rought
Member
Member # 2186

 - posted      Profile for W. Rought   Email W. Rought         Edit/Delete Post 
Nice opening, very good hook. I feel the wording is perfect, don't change a thing. I want to read MORE! email more to be please?
Posts: 35 | Registered: Sep 2004  | Report this post to a Moderator
J
Member
Member # 2197

 - posted      Profile for J   Email J         Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks for the feedback.

Sorry I've been so non-responsive--I've been getting killed at work lately.

I appreciate those that asked for more via email. Sad truth is there isn't more than a couple of pages--yet. I plan to have a couple of chapters done in a week or two. I'd be happy and grateful to send it to whoever is still interested when it's ready.


Posts: 683 | Registered: Oct 2004  | 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