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 » Rule Breakers

   
Author Topic: Rule Breakers
Fidget_Sinclair
Member
Member # 2762

 - posted      Profile for Fidget_Sinclair   Email Fidget_Sinclair         Edit/Delete Post 
Okay, this is a story. It's thirteen lines, and I only want feedback on these thirteen lines. I wouldn't mind knowing if you want to read the rest, but I don't HAVE the rest; my computers are not being nice right now, so I can't get at any of my manuscripts, I have therefore begun one. It's a story I have a lot of planned out, but very little actually typed or written down...in a straight line.

So, if you want more say so and I'll write more. I have no expectations just now.

Rule Breakers
---------
Any other person would start this story with the words I don’t like to brag. But I don’t particularly mind the image that comes with bigheaded descriptions of self; with my life, if I minded, I’d go crazy.

There, I have gotten that out of the way.

My name was once William Lowell. I have since changed it to simply Willow, but right now I’m going to write someone else’s story, leaving mine till later for continuity issues.

The story I’m going to start with is the story of a boy named Cole McGee—who had a disease. Similar to cancer, the disease was called Richelieu Syndrome, and also had similarities to UV allergies. The disease is fatal, and its treatment is peculiar: in understated terms, a lot of light—all at once.

In recorded medical history, Cole McGee was the first person to be treated for Richelieu Syndrome, and the treatment super accelerated the disease, changing but not

[This message has been edited by Fidget_Sinclair (edited August 10, 2005).]


Posts: 9 | Registered: Aug 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
wbriggs
Member
Member # 2267

 - posted      Profile for wbriggs   Email wbriggs         Edit/Delete Post 
Here's my humble opinion: as your narrator says, he's going to start a story. I suggest that you cut everything until that story begins. I mean, what you have is well-written, I think, but I recommend that you start later.
Posts: 2830 | Registered: Dec 2004  | Report this post to a Moderator
Miriel
Member
Member # 2719

 - posted      Profile for Miriel   Email Miriel         Edit/Delete Post 
I have to agree with wbriggs. The sentances are easy to read, but it seems to drag because it doesn't start right away.
Posts: 189 | Registered: Jul 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
pixydust
Member
Member # 2311

 - posted      Profile for pixydust   Email pixydust         Edit/Delete Post 
I sugest just starting with Cole's story and forgoing the name stuff at the begging. The writing's good, but like Will says I think you started your story in the wrong place.

I like your voice though. It reads really nice.


Posts: 811 | Registered: Jan 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
Fidget_Sinclair
Member
Member # 2762

 - posted      Profile for Fidget_Sinclair   Email Fidget_Sinclair         Edit/Delete Post 
Ooh, question?: Is it common practice when hearing things like that to rewrite then repost what I've got up so far? How do people most seem to like this done? Because sometimes I've come across people who would prefer more of a "I've got the criticisms so I'll keep the changes to myself" type execution. Please advise.
Posts: 9 | Registered: Aug 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
Survivor
Member
Member # 213

 - posted      Profile for Survivor   Email Survivor         Edit/Delete Post 
I don't know whether you want to throw away the opening.

If William comes into the story in a big way later on, then keep it. I liked it, after all. If he doesn't, then feel free to toss it.

If you don't toss it, then make sure that you keep William around, let him tell the story the way he would tell it.


Posts: 8322 | Registered: Aug 1999  | Report this post to a Moderator
Jeraliey
Member
Member # 2147

 - posted      Profile for Jeraliey   Email Jeraliey         Edit/Delete Post 
Collect a bunch of opinions, evaluate them, and rewrite as you deem fit. You're more than welcome to post revisions, but it's not necessarily a great idea to revise after each suggestion that is made

By the way, I love the voice. Write more!


Posts: 1041 | Registered: Aug 2004  | Report this post to a Moderator
Kathleen Dalton Woodbury
Administrator
Member # 59

 - posted      Profile for Kathleen Dalton Woodbury   Email Kathleen Dalton Woodbury         Edit/Delete Post 
Please don't rewrite and post the rewrite after every comment, even if you like the comment and see how you want to do the rewrite.

Go ahead and rewrite, if you must, but try to wait and see what else people say and let it all work together in your subconscious for a little while before doing anything major.

Just because one person suggests something doesn't mean that's the only answer. Someone else may have an even better suggestion if you are patient.


Posts: 8826 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!  | Report this post to a Moderator
Fidget_Sinclair
Member
Member # 2762

 - posted      Profile for Fidget_Sinclair   Email Fidget_Sinclair         Edit/Delete Post 
Tah.(England Anglo-european creole/pidgin for "thanks") All endearing comments.

Thus far however--and I'm just going to do some analyzing, so look away if you're uninterested--I have seven opinions, one is my own, so half a dozen, and they say when boiled down simply "start quicker, I like the voice, and don't waste your time with constant revision," with a little bit of between-the-lines license put in.

There's more there, between the lines, I've just thought: You're saying without saying so that I didn't put in some story-line hook. Unfortunately, the story-line hook ended up in line fourteen. Friggin Murphy's law!


Posts: 9 | Registered: Aug 2005  | Report this post to a Moderator
Survivor
Member
Member # 213

 - posted      Profile for Survivor   Email Survivor         Edit/Delete Post 
No, it's not Murphy's Law or anything like that. If William Lowell isn't a big part of your hook, then...cut him, but understand that I'm saying that because I believe that he's about 80% of your hook.
Posts: 8322 | Registered: Aug 1999  | 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