posted by penitentman at 7/31/2006 09:59:00 PM
Dom just sat there staring at the airbike and shaking his head. Using both hands he scrubbed his head briskly, shaking dust and sand and twigs out of his hair.
Not smart Dom. Not smart at all.
He glanced around briefly before staring once again at the twisted lump of metal that used to be his ride.
Idiot! What was I thinking?
Dom inspected himself for any major cuts. Nothing too bad, but the skin was worn down pretty good on one of his elbows. The hair on the back of his neck stood up a bit when he saw the sand and gravel caked in blood.
Way to run, Dom. Way to leave them in the dust, eh?
He glanced around at his surroundings once more. He found himself in a shallow ravine, sitting in the shadow of a bridge that spanned its breadth overhead. Looking around, he could tell it wasn't going to be an easy climb out of there.
Way to leave yourself in the dust is more like it.
Dom went to stand and let out a tortured moan as he put weight on his left leg.
"This is just great!" he growled to himself as he collapsed back to the ground. It didn't seem broken, but it certainly wouldn't be carrying his sorry butt anywhere for awhile.
So much for my head start.
He laid back in the dirt, clenching his teeth.
Why? Why does this happen to me? Even my good luck is bad these days. Come on Dom, snap out of it! You've got to get moving. Quit wasting what time you've got.
He looked at his watch, blinking his eyes slowly at its broken face. With a snarl, he ripped if off his wrist and began pounding it on a nearby rock.
Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! DAMN!!! This is turning out to be an excellent day, Dom. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You've managed to turn your 24 hour lead on an airbike into a who knows how long of a lead... on foot... with only one good leg.
Dom picked up the broken pieces of his watch and threw them at the heaped airbike. The effort of it sent a sharp pain down his leg that knocked the wind out of him.
"Pull it together" he growled at himself when he could breathe again. "You can bitch yourself out tomorrow if you live to see it."
He took a number of deep breaths to calm himself and ease the pain and then set himself to the task of figuring out how he was going to get himself out of there.
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penitentman,
Ruth,
WDavid,
Peter,
PeggySueO,
Monday, July 31, 2006
4 Comments:
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Today, I entered this story in the "Short-Short Fiction" contest from New Millenium Writings.
http://www.newmillenniumwritings.com/awards.php
This is a contest Ruth told me about and urged me to enter. I just squeaked in under the deadline. I'm such a procrastinator.
I didn't write anything new this week so maybe I'll take this one to the class tonight and let them read it out loud. After last week's fourteen page story, this little 250 word piece will probably be a welcomed surprise. :-)By WDavid, at 7/31/2006 05:36:00 AM
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Indeed it was a surprise -- a short story like that... and a good one -- very thought provoking.
By Peter, at 7/31/2006 06:11:00 PM
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I love this piece. I says so much in so few words. I hope the contest judges see how wonderful it is too.
By Ruth, at 7/31/2006 06:33:00 PM
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The first time through, I enjoyed the descriptions and the tone felt very poetic to me.
However, I couldn't really identify with the narrator until the very last sentence... at which point I had to read it again and loved it.
Because it is very short, it works pretty damn well. That clincher at the end that makes you want to re-read it with the new insight.
If it was a longer piece, the waiting to identify would not have worked.
Well done!By penitentman, at 8/01/2006 08:08:00 AM
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
5 Comments:
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I took the liberty of reposting Pedestrianism because with the new beginning, I could embellish the ending a little more. So the story is changed considerably.
I have embedded some links to photo galleries. Do they work as links, or should I include them as footnotes at the end of the story? Internet writing seems to allow both styles of linking.
I'd like the same kind of feedback as before -- a thing or things you liked, and as much emphasis on something you didn't like.
/pBy Peter, at 7/25/2006 11:01:00 PM
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Well I can say that you managed to keep my attention with this one. I think because it all seemed to go together better than the other one which included something about a tree in the sky I think.
Anyway, I never seem to have much constructive to say for or against a piece as I'm just not that kind of person who evaluates what I read so deeply. Usually it is either I liked it or I didn't. I liked this one. The lady and others following right behind her reminded me of lemmings.By PeggySueO, at 7/26/2006 08:51:00 AM
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Peter, I think this one works much better! And yes, I liked the links within the story as opposed to having them at the end. Good job on the revision.
By Ruth, at 7/26/2006 05:25:00 PM
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I think this version is much better than the original. I would like to see you write something else using that tree in the sky picture.
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Fred...
tx... re: tree in the sky -- It takes me about a week to put one of those together... next stop Chinatown -- you'll just have to wait to see, whether I reuse the beginning that I rewrote for pedestrianism.By Peter, at 7/31/2006 05:54:00 PM
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All in all I'd say it was pretty good. The first time through I stumbled on some of the cadence, but I tried to slow down when I read it again.
By PeggySueO, at 7/26/2006 08:27:00 AM
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I like it alot. I was amused that you used the word pooped, which to me made drooped seem forced.
I think I might rewrite those two lines like this...
With all of that work, he must have been tired
As into his godly recliner he retired.
Maybe those two words are too close to each other in spelling, I don't know.
I also think it ended too abruptly. I think there is a bunch more you could add to it. Starting from where you left off, talk about man choosing sin then work your way through the gospel story.
Sorry to give you so much homework, but I do like it. -
I stumbled on some of the cadence too -- is that what it's called !?!? But I like the "pooped/drooped" part -- God is given so many human traits -- why not "pooped out" too???? I don't quite get the "red shoes" -- and glasses -- why red? It sort of reminds me of santa claus.
I think I have to part ways with Fred's comments on your ending too -- I liked it... suddenly all this light hearted creationism turns into the philosphical dilemma so many face -- why did he give us the ability to choose? Or, more simply, why do bad things happen?
I think you can make a connection with this choice we have, with all the blood we spill -- which is what makes God's shoes red. Just a thot.By Peter, at 7/31/2006 06:48:00 PM
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Hehe, what a fun poem!
I for one, LOVE the pooped/drooped lines. To me, it really fits the character of the poem.
I stumbled a bit on lines 3 and 4, since every other pair rhymes so perfectly, those two should as well.
And forth line from the bottom: "thrown" should be "throne".By penitentman, at 8/01/2006 09:15:00 AM
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Okay Penitentman, here's the scoop. Sometimes a slant rhyme is all you can come up with! Some people say that a poet using slant rhyme is just not working hard enough, so I'm going to take those two lines and see just how I might change them to make it better or more rhymable. And thanks for the spell check on throne. I hadn't noticed that. Actually, you'll be lucky if you find any of my work that doesn't have at least one type in it and the occasionaly misspelling. Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
By Ruth, at 8/01/2006 02:19:00 PM
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Hehe, believe me, I'm all about the slant rhyme. I think it just stood out to be because it was the only one.
You could almost leave those 2 lines out, since right after you go on to describe in detail the very actions those lines are talking about.
This is all opinion, mind you. I'm no pro, only stating my honest assessment if it's even worth calling that.
:)By penitentman, at 8/01/2006 05:06:00 PM
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Okay, how does it read with the following changes to the second and third lines?
What did God do before he made man?
Just sit around outlining his glorious plan?
No, I think not, there was too much to do
And perhaps at that point, his helpers too few.
I can just see him now in boots and overalls
Sawing and nailing and hammering walls.
Designing a structure to house a gazillion
Complete with BBQ, deck and pavilion.By Ruth, at 8/02/2006 05:10:00 PM
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That reads much better I think. Very nice!
By penitentman, at 8/03/2006 07:55:00 AM
Sunday, July 23, 2006
10 Comments:
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Hi Everyone…Sorry I’ve been away from PPTP for nearly a whole week, but I’ve been struggling with a story and today I finally finished my first draft. Well, second draft, really. I’ve been getting a lot of private input from Ruth1. Here’s the genesis of the piece: The assignment from my in-class lesson was to write a four to six page (double spaced) story based on a dream. Well, I hardly ever remember my dreams so I commented to Ruth1 that there should be a dream repository to help people who didn’t remember their dreams. That triggered a thought about a world where people had lost the power to dream and needed to have other peoples dreams implanted. The story above is my take on that world. The piece is 14 double spaced pages…WAY over the limit so I won’t be able to have it read in class but I’ll hand out copies to the students and get their comments the following week.
I welcome any and all comments and critiques: typos, plot holes, logic flaws, anything you can come up with. If you happen to get them in quickly then I can consider any suggested changes before I submit the lesson, if not, then I’ll consider them later. I like this piece and feel it might be publishable. With your help I hope I can refine it. I do not bruise easily so be as harsh as you like. It’s what I need to improve my craft.By WDavid, at 7/23/2006 02:27:00 PM
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Very interesting story. Was trying to figure out what was really going on while reading it. Since it was obvious the guy was a fake exorcist at the beginning I thought maybe the demon possession would end up being real. But I was confused as to what all the computers and gadgets were for. And wondered why he made them go thru the exorcism if they were instructed that they wouldn't remember any of it. You know, just hypnotise them, wake them up then tell them it worked. Of course, that was revealed later. After the beating I just figured he had changed cons. Didn't catch on right away that the cons were connected. Nicely done.
There are a bunch of typos though. Here are the ones I saw, in order of appearance.
"Sitting at the computer terminal tucked in at front end of the caravan," (should have the word "the" before front.)
"Elijah supposed they were the girl's parents, though they seemed scarcely old enough for job." (should have the word "the" before job.)
“Does the demon temp you every night?” (tempt)
"Sara eyes showed her confusion and fear so Elijah’s changed his tone to a joyous piety that lightened Sara’s mood." (Sara's) (Elijah)
"A bundle of colorful cables protruded from the apex like a pony of hair" (Did you mean to say ponytail of hair? Or is this the correct wording?)
"Occasionally people waked in or out of the general store" (walked)
Also when you use words like He or His or Him, referring to God, you inconsistently capitalize them.
I like the story, very interesting idea. -
Fred...Thanks for the comments. I fixed all of the typos you found in my WORD copy and I'll go back here and fix them as well.
I checked the only place I remembered where I use dhte God pronouns and they're all correct. Can you tell me where you found the inconsistencies?
Elijah went through the "exorcisms" or hypnotic therapy, if you will, to relieve these people of their dreams/possessions and give himself credibility. Hynotic suggestons are rarely permanent so when they dreammed again they'd chalk it up to some sin, real or imagined, and welcome another exorcism when he passed through town again. i hope that come through in the story and that you didn't have to struggle too hard as a reader to get the scope of what was going on.By WDavid, at 7/23/2006 06:20:00 PM
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Great story idea -- I took it as a parable of modern day evangelists with their hi-tech communications systems, hi-tech "medicine" with it's deadly side effects, and closed minded individuals who can only see things their own way.
I also like the leapfrogging through time idea... I was imagining a "snake oil" salesman going from town to town 150 years ago -- but then the salesman worked in what sounds like a big church -- and then in some ultra modern wacked out new age therapy clinic.
However put together, I think the time shifting makes the story too complicated/compressed. Particularly that first transition... I think if you develop the issues that the townsfolk of Pinnacle have with the computers, we can be better prepared for the hysterical mob that chases him out of town. Also, I think the presentation of the computer gear was too sudden. A suggestion:
Tucked in the back of the Caravan was a media drawer where Elijah kept recordings of all his treatments. If the people of Pinnacle saw these, there'd be trouble. That's because the people of Pinnacle thought recordings where the work of the devil. So a week in Pinnacle was six and a half days to many...
Sorry -- I can't mimic your voice -- but something like that.
I liked the writing -- it was a page turner -- and the ending seemed like it could be the beginning of another story.By Peter, at 7/23/2006 11:13:00 PM
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I tell you what, that Fred has an eagle eye. I'm glad he and Peter gave you some other feedback that was different from what I gave you privately before you posted it here. I guess we all definitely need more than one set of eyes and ideas to truly see how a piece might look to the general public.
By Ruth, at 7/24/2006 01:38:00 PM
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Fred...I found one place where I was talking about "The Saint and MArtyr and used the word "his" with a lower case "h". That's probably what you were referring to with the comment about inconsistant capitalization of the God pronouns. I changed it to "God's love" instead of "his love" just to clarrify things.
Peter...Thanks for your comments. The events of the story happen over about one month. Elijah starts off disguised as a no-tech exorcist, then we see a little of the tech he's hiding, then we see him use the tech, then he's discovered and beaten for using the tech even though he really was exorcising their perceived demons, then he goes back to his hi-tech society to sell the remnants of his scammed goods. So, it's not a time-hopping tale but one of a con game spanning both no-tech and hi-tech cultures. To help make that a little clearer, I changed "yokel" in the first paragraph to "anti-tech fundamentalists". LEt me know if that works to make things a little clearer.
Ruth...Your personalized help in the writing stage of this piece was invaluable. I can't wait to get started on the "Crafy Ladies". :-)By WDavid, at 7/24/2006 02:57:00 PM
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I didn't mention it earlier but I also thought the beating seemed strange to me. I couldn't figure out just what I thought was wrong but Peter said it well, I think. There just wasn't enough reason to think something like that might happen.
I was thinking there were more than one instance of the capitalization issue, but probably not. I'll check again later.
Ruth, It's pretty ironic that someone with such bad vision has an eagle eye. -
David, I know you appreciated my help in being a sounding board for this story while it was being written, but I can see there were things (such as Peter's confusion, and the apparent lack of enough information for the average person to figure it out)which I was not able to help you with simply because I knew from the very beginning what your intentions were with the story, and, knowing that, I understood it completely and didn't notice the places where more information might have been needed for someone who wasn't privy to the plot before it was written.
Good grief, does that make any sense to anyone? I don't know whether I said what I meant to say or not!
We've just learned a good lesson here. So don't stop asking for my help, but maybe you need to post bits of the story as you go and get a feel for what others think too before you actually finish it.
I'm stopping now. My brain if fried!By Ruth, at 7/24/2006 05:09:00 PM
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Well, A young woman read my story aloud in class tonight. I feel silly that I don't know her name but hopefully she'll join up here and tell me. :-) She did a great job.
To my ears the story read very smoothly and natually and in the round-robin commenting afterward the smoothness was remarked upon. Overall everyone seemed to like it. There were plenty of comments on technical aspects that needed tweaking as well as plot aspects that need examining, such as...
There's no need to say Sara blinked HER EYES because she's unlikely to blink anything else...no need to say she nodded HER HEAD for the same reason.
A couple of people commented on Elijah's arc....scammer to concerned and introspective...and back to scammer.
Some thought it seemed wrong for him to be concerned about Sara and then go off and sell the dream anyway. In my mind he might have had second thoughts about his whole scamming business but the beating he got from the fundamentalists basically put him in "screw 'em" mode.
Others pointed out that the "God uses all his tools" theme near the end gave Elijah a "way out" that allowed him to use the dreams with a clear conscious.
Another asked why Elijah was so morally troubled about wiping out Saras's dream when the hypnotic suggestions were just going to wear off in time anyway.
One commenter said that he wanted the story to go a little further and have Zeke actually BE a demon and get transferred into Wilhelmina.
I really enjoyed getting the comments and made lots of note...thought I may have difficulty deciphering my chicken scratch. They also made notes on the copies that everyone read along from so soon I'll go through all their written comments and see what else I can glean. There's bound to be something that I missed.
I must say I was very nervous when the teacher said my story was going to be read but in the end I found it quite exiting and energizing too.By WDavid, at 7/24/2006 10:33:00 PM
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I thought you said stories couldn't be read if they were over assignment length. I wonder what made your teacher change her routine for this story?.... Must have been because it was so good, eh? ;-)) Anyway, congratulations on some good reviews.
By Ruth, at 7/25/2006 09:47:00 AM
Saturday, July 22, 2006
4 Comments:
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I jotted down some "inspirations" while scanning poetry web sites yesterday.. words or phrases which might be used to inspire a poem or something one day. This piece came today from the phrase "a loose button".
By Ruth, at 7/22/2006 06:31:00 PM
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I had to read the end several times to finally "get" that the last line was referring to the fact that there had been no imprint on his retinas. Maybe I'm just slow.
By PeggySueO, at 7/24/2006 09:58:00 PM
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Ruth...A cute character piece. Light humor and a slice of real life. I like it. Any thoughts of looking for a publication to run it?
You might want to adjust this phrase: "...a child of ten or so engrossed in some electronic game or other..." I think the "or other" could be omitted. We're already ambiguous on his age so I think it's pushing it to be ambiguous on his toy as well.
This sentence seems awkward and might be best split into two by putting a period after "examination": "Fingering the button I’d retrieved from my cuff, I stared into the doctor’s eyes during his examination, I wondered what he saw in mine." A semicolon in the same place might also work.By WDavid, at 7/25/2006 01:58:00 PM
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Peggysueo -- you're obviously not a man!!!! (Or at least, not a straight one...) but then I thought Ruth obviously wasn't either... and that definitely sounded like a man's voice... good job!
Anyway -- no problem here with understanding the "retinal burn syndrome"! I try not to stare, but sometimes it's impossible.
Though I agree with Peggysue a little about the last sentence... I thought the story ended too quickly.By Peter, at 7/25/2006 08:38:00 PM
Friday, July 21, 2006
6 Comments:
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By Ruth, at 7/22/2006 04:34:00 AM
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Sorry I had to delete the first comment I made. Seems like no matter how well I think I've proofed these posts, as soon as I publish and read it again, those typos just jump out at me then. Hope there aren't any more. Here it is again:
A cute villanelle Fred. I do have a couple of comments.
In the second stanza, perhaps "have that chicken breast" needs a more descriptive verb like, sear, or roast, fry, or broil.
Also, I've found that it's okay to vary the wording slightly on the repeating lines to release a bit of the stiff regimentation they impose.
The last line of the second stanza might read "Oh man, I can't eat any meat!" or "Darn, I can't eat any meat!"
Or the fourth stanza last line might read "Man, I don't want any meat!"
Anyway, I didn't know if you realized you could use just a bit of variation in those lines. As my writing class instructor always said "hope it gives you something to think about"By Ruth, at 7/22/2006 04:38:00 AM
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I don't think I really have anything constructive to say here, but I did find it entertaining.
By PeggySueO, at 7/24/2006 10:09:00 PM
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Fred...I'm sure you did a fine job with this poem, but I don't think I like the villanelle format. With all of those repeated lines and all the varrying positions, I couldn't seem to get a rhythm going when I was reading it.
Maybe Ruth's suggestions of varying the lines a little would help me.
BTW, Lemon zest is the very outer yellow part of the lemon peel. So you could not have a "peel of lemon zest". Maybe you could change that line to read "seasoned with grated lemon zest" to spice up the field of wheat.By WDavid, at 7/25/2006 03:57:00 PM
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David, the lemon zest is spoken in sarcasm as is fields of wheat. The writer is still complaining at this point that he has to change his diet, and therefore is exaggerating. He couldn't possibly eat a field of wheat and wouldn't possibly eat a lemon zest.
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Having gone from meat eater to vegan and back, I can only say "BRAVO!" -- that is a great poem -- that's exactly what it's like getting off meat, and when (if) you go off vegan, you just have to replace a few words, and you can use this one again then!
WDavid -- think of the repeated lines as "whining" -- allow us to suffer through this!By Peter, at 7/25/2006 08:44:00 PM
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Fred...I'm surprised no one has commented on this yet. I've read this poem of yours before someplace...maybe it's in our family book. It's very touching and, if you'll pardon me borrowing one of your key words, reflective. You and Dad always seemed to be at each other's throats as we were growing up and it could not have been easy for you...or him. I'm happy that as we all aged, we mellowed and perhaps grew a bit wiser. I believe we've come to appreciate and love each other so much more.
By WDavid, at 7/25/2006 04:04:00 PM
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I didn't comment earlier because I felt too close to the events and because I wanted to see what others outside the family might say.
By Ruth, at 7/25/2006 05:12:00 PM
Thursday, July 20, 2006
4 Comments:
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ok not the happiest poem around just real these all come from that real place inside in the moment.
AaronBy Aaron, at 7/20/2006 11:30:00 PM
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Aaron, it certainly touches me - all feelings I've had before myself, and written about.
I find it a bit confusing though, as though you are at first writing about someone who is not there, yet you go on to reveal that you are living with them in the last sentence. (Although I have to admit that we CAN life with someone and feel like they're not there!)
Which brings me to the last sentence... "ran" should probably be "run" grammatically speaking. Actually, I don't like the sentence and feel it might read better if you had said "That one day I will come home and find you gone."
Just something to think about.By Ruth, at 7/21/2006 07:58:00 AM
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I recognize this too -- and love the twist at the end. I've done that -- "living together alone" -- or is it that "alone together?"
I particularly like the line "I think of you and here it comes, a tear"
however I have a complaint about the double negative a few lines before that. I tried to read it without the nots, but that didn't make sense either.
About the "ran out" in the end -- yes, I think either "you have run out", or "you ran out" -- I prefer the later because it is in the present, like the tear.By Peter, at 7/23/2006 07:07:00 PM
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Aaron...As Ruth and Peter has noted, I too am familiar with the feeling of living alone together with someone. I also found ressonance with fifth line where you're trying to convince yourself that you're not in love with him so that a split will be easier...but love is still there and it cannot be denied.
Like Peter, I have a feeling that line eight has too many "nots". The double negative makes it readlike "I try to act like I'm waiting for you" and I don't think that's what you intended. You may have meant "I try to look like I'm not waiting for you" because that would echo the ideas in lives five and seven.
And yes, I think changing "ran" to "run" would be more grammatically correct.
I do not know what your thoughts are on rhyme in poetry. In this particular piece you have an inconsistent rhyming pattern. 1 & 2 do not rhyme, 3 & 4 do not rhyme, but 5 & 6 do rhyme. 7 & 8 do not rhyme, then 9 & 10 do rhyme as do 11 & 12. So, half of the line-pairs rhyme and half do not. It might help the poem make it all one way or all the other.By WDavid, at 7/27/2006 11:09:00 AM
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
5 Comments:
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Peggy,you never cease to amaze me. I knew that you had written poetry, but this is a complete surprise. Heck, I was surprised just to see your name on something here since you continue to deny your talent to all who know you.
This is wonderful! You had me hooked right from the beginning trying to figure out who/what was talking, and, I have to admit I hadn't even come close until you revealed the "stroke me across the page" bit. I'm not sure I even know now exactly which type of writing instrument you were describing; although, I'd like to think of it as a beautiful feather quill pen.
I did have a little trouble with the sentence "I suspect that there will always be those who keep me hidden around to dance again another day". I'm not sure what you are indicting here. Do you just mean "tucked away", or are you implying something which needs to be hidden because of it's value (such as a rare, historically important writing instrument)? ... i.e., does the "hidden" mean they are embarrassed because they still own one, or does it imply the "value" described above?
Thanks for sharing this piece with us.By Ruth, at 7/19/2006 03:43:00 AM
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Sorry, that "indicating" in the last paragraph, not indicting.
By Ruth, at 7/19/2006 03:53:00 AM
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Wow peg, I like that. I was trying to figure it out too. After the first paragraph I thought you were talking about the flag, and at one point I thought you were talking about the Bible. It took me two readings and reading mom's comment before I understood. So the idea is that pens are becoming obsolete to modern technologies. Who would have thought a piece about a pen could be so vivid and enticing. Excellent!
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Thanks...I have to admit that I like it myself and was very surprised to even write it. I was just sitting around bored at work as usual staring at some pens on my desk when the thoughts just started coming into my head.
As for the word hidden, I think that I was probably thinking more that someone would have it hidden away as if embarassed to still have one in an advanced technilogical age of the future.By PeggySueO, at 7/19/2006 10:16:00 PM
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Well -- I'm dense -- I thought I was reading the lament of a woman whose husband just ran of with someone 25 years younger -- and it wasn't making any sense!!! There's really not that much difference...
great little lament.By Peter, at 7/19/2006 10:24:00 PM
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very funny! God caught in the act of creation...
Was it a dream, or did you really see it!?!?!?!?By Peter, at 7/18/2006 09:37:00 PM
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Yes very funny, I like it. But I just wonder, why not leave it in San Fransico?
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I never thought about where I put it. New England just seemed to flow as I wrote. Maybe God likes New England better than San Francisco... who knows?
By Ruth, at 7/19/2006 05:08:00 PM
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Ruth...Very cute and poigniant too. :-)
I have a couple of small word changes to suggest...
You use the word "swishing" twice in the first half of the poem and I think replacing the second use with something different would be a good idea...maybe swinging or swaying.
You them then say "side to side it swung". That seems to be repetetive to the "swishing back and forth". I'd dropping the "side to side it swung" line. Interestingly, dropping oneline from the first stanza will give it 16 lines, the same numberof lines in the second stanza. I don't know if that's important, but it might be something to consider.
In the second stanza, I'd drop the "and" from "and burn 'em up". Then I'd add the word "in" before "another" in the following line so that it would read...
We cut ‘em down,
grind ‘em up,
chop ‘em up,
burn ‘em up
and God just drops in another
one,
As always, take the comments of this non-poet with a grain of salt. I try to force rythm, rhyme, and grammar on a free flowing emotional creature and the fit is not always a happy one. :-)By WDavid, at 7/27/2006 11:21:00 AM
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Hello there... this is my first post... I'm posting here on pptp because I want feedback, and hopefully, I can give some useful feedback back too. Specifically what I'm looking for is "positive" and "negative" feedback, preferably in equal amounts -- on the whole story, or individual parts. I know the piece meanders around -- maybe too much? -- and the transitions can probably be improved.
I use the Creative Commons "share-alike" license, so you have my permission to take any bit of this, twisted anyway you like, and used in your own writing. If someone wants to take the first photo, and first sentence -- and write a whole new story -- go for it. I'd love to read another twist on that hanging tree!By Peter, at 7/18/2006 10:32:00 AM
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Okay Peter, first of all, I enjoyed the rambling on of your piece here in that it reminded me of just conversing with someone, or one of my husband's cousins rambling six page letters in which she describes, quite effectively,every detail of everything she's done all week.. or month.
As for what I didn't like, well... maybe not "didn't like", but which could possibly lead to a different approach... I seem to feel that you have two different pieces here and that "Pedestrianism" doesn't actually start until the line
"I've been making that hear here typo a lot lately"
The first part has nothing to do with the theme. You need a separate piece on trees for that... trees in he sky, tree bark for medicine, maybe trees as friends, or trees as exiles banded together in a forest commune... whatever, but I don't think it belongs here in "Pedestrianism".
I'm still thinking of your tree in the sky... maybe I'll try writing a poem about it.By Ruth, at 7/18/2006 03:48:00 PM
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Ruth -- tx for the advice -- I have to admit -- this isn't my first writing group -- and this isn't the first time I've been dinged for writing about two different things in the same story... it might have something to do with my impatience -- I don't have time to finish one story -- because the next one is already bursting off my fingers...
It's a good outcome too -- I've been wondering how I'm going to start my next story, about Chinatown -- and it looks like I can just copy and paste :))) -- tho my next assignment is to finish pedestrianism with a new beginning....
stay tuned...
/pBy Peter, at 7/18/2006 09:18:00 PM
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I like it, though I would have to agree the beginning doesn't seem to go with the main theme of the story.
I like the conversational feel.
Is this autobiographical or fiction? -
Fred...
autobiographical -- the world according to... ME!!!!! Stay tuned, I was thinking about it today -- I thought I should write a new beginning -- but maybe I'll just rip out the first 2 paragraphs... that will definitely be easier!By Peter, at 7/19/2006 10:08:00 PM
Monday, July 17, 2006
7 Comments:
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Fred, very nice haiku. My favorite is
Ice covered forest
Caught by bright morning sunrise
Crying tears of joy
Hoarfrost - I've seen it several times and never cease to wonder at the beauty of it... and it's destructive powers.
I haven't figured out though why a forest covered in cold, heavy ice would be crying tears of joy.... except maybe for the blessing of the sun to melt it all away! Okay, now I get it. I'm just a little slow sometimes.By Ruth, at 7/17/2006 07:56:00 PM
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Fred... wow... that road to nowhere drew me right in... I liked the ice covered forest too -- and a couple more... under bridge tonight -- such a tragic sight -- I see it a lot here in San Francisco -- though fortunately, our weather doesn't kill people.
I'd like to revise the order... for e.g. that spot under the bridge -- I think it's definitely on the road to nowhere.
On the other hand, I like the mixing of the cultural and the natural.
I also liked the thinking cat -- nice surprise after that opening line... I really wondered where that was going.By Peter, at 7/18/2006 10:09:00 AM
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Thanks Ruth (mom) and Peter. I just went back and re-read the cat one and realized to my dismay it has 6 syllables in the first line. Will need to redo it now.
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Peter, I didn't make any effort to put them in any particular order. I probably should have.
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Mom, I had to lookup hoarfrost after your comment. "Frozen dew that forms a white coating on a surface"
I will explain to you what I was thinking when i did this one. There was an ice storm the night before, coating all the trees in ice (not dew, sorry) but by the next morning the weather was clear, and the ice was melting in the sunlight. It looked liked the trees we were crying, but they were happy to be rid of the ice. -
OK I fixed the cat haiku. Just changed "enjoy" to "love".
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Well,sorry, maybe hoarfrost wasn't the correct word, but I knew exactly what you meant. Hoarfrost is what I've always called that morning after an ice storm effect. I don't know where I learned that word, just know it's what I've always used and the beauty of the scene has always left me in awe of this one of God's wonders.
By Ruth, at 7/19/2006 05:13:00 PM
7 Comments:
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Again, this is one of my old ones, but one of my favorites.
By Ruth, at 7/17/2006 04:24:00 AM
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Very nice, Ruth. I'd like to suggest a couple of changes...
In line 4, starting it with the word "And" makes the cadence a little smoother.
Also, try indenting every other line to make it more apparent to the reader that it is a continuation of the line before. I think this will improve its readability and it's display on the page.By WDavid, at 7/17/2006 05:42:00 AM
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Ruth, I love how it flows and of course the message is splendid. Martha needs this sent to her ASAP! (grin)
AaronBy Aaron, at 7/17/2006 08:37:00 AM
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Okay, here we're going to have to differ. I like the way line 4 reads and, not all the lines continue to just the one below it. Sometimes it continues to three or four. I can't indent all of those lines to continue the thought. Then the rest of the poem wouldn't look right. Got any other ideas?
By Ruth, at 7/17/2006 08:39:00 AM
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It seems that I did not read it carefully enough to see that it wasn't always a two line concept. My apologies. No, no other ideas spring to mind.
By WDavid, at 7/17/2006 09:00:00 AM
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This poem could be sent to every politician!
Instead of indents... maybe paragraph breaks after each pair of rhymes?
Something about details and recipe doesn't ring for me... also -- this is your beautiful recipe... not mine... or maybe I find this too challenging -- what -- you mean take responsibility!?!?!
How about just "Make it your own recipe."By Peter, at 7/18/2006 11:01:00 AM
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Peter, I think it is assumed that the reader will make it his/her own recipe, with appropriate changes to fit their own tastes. Like you said, this is my recipe and only a starting point for your own creativity. I love changing recipes to fit my taste of the day. Don't you?
By Ruth, at 7/18/2006 03:30:00 PM
4 Comments:
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Aaron, your poetry is very revealing, showing just how much you have to give, along with showing your strength and faith. We welcome your entries here and hope you will continue to post.
Regarding this line: "When I dance they will dance with me and give the power of self-exspression to my heart." and the last line of: "When I die, they will be my wings formed by the dreams of my life, and I will fly to heaven. ", since each other line of your poem begins with "These arms...", in order to continue the continuity of the poem, I might rewrite them thusly:
These arms will dance with me whenI dance and give the power of self-expression to my heart.
and
These arms will be my wings when I die, formed by the dreams of my life, and I will fly to heaven.
These are only suggestions. What do you think?By Ruth, at 7/17/2006 04:36:00 AM
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Aaron...Welcome to PPTP. So glad to have you here with us.
Your poem was wonderfully expressive and painted vivid images for me.
Ruth suggested altering a couple of lines but I think that just moving one line will do the trick. Try the last four lines in this order...
These arms are my heart...
These arms are my eternity...
When I dance...
When I die...
This uses the "When I" variation to set those lines apart from the rest of the poem and kind of wraps it up very neatly. However, that could just be my limited poetry exposure trying to force a rhythm into the piece, so take my suggestion with a grain of salt. :-)By WDavid, at 7/17/2006 05:36:00 AM
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Aaron -- interesting theme... one of my arms is featured in my post today -- but I haven't put much thought into how expressive arms can be!
Your use of "will" throughout raises a question for me -- what do these arms do now????
For e.g.: These arms are my love, they pull you in, bringing...
I like the These arms/When I pairings in the last two verses -- maybe you could do that throughout???
/pBy Peter, at 7/18/2006 12:56:00 PM
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thanks for all your comments, they are so helpful and wonderful. I am going to make some of those changes right away. Again thanks! Sorry I have been so busy the past couple days..
By Aaron, at 7/20/2006 11:21:00 PM
Sunday, July 16, 2006
9 Comments:
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This piece was written as assignment #8 in the Writeriffic course I’m taking online. The assignment was to pick three objects from your junk drawer, or some other repository of forgotten things, and write an essay about one of them. We were told to “stay focused”, “add thoughtful, colorful, or funny examples”, “make the message universal”, “use emotions and word pictures”, “pick experiences you care about”, “steer clear of anger and negative emotions”, and “reveal yourself”. As examples of the type of essay we were to write, the instructor pointed to the “This I Believe” essay series on NPR. We were then asked to identify a likely publication to which we could, if we so choose, submit the essay for consideration.
I don’t think I captured the true spirit of this assignment. In fact, my piece almost seems to fight against it. While I am sure I captured my true beliefs and “revealed myself” as directed, I am not one for studied introspection and my piece minces no words on that subject. It’s not upbeat enough for “This I Believe” but I do think it could find a home in a literary publication that accepts short essays. I have chosen to submit it to Wild Violet, an Internet-based quarterly. I think it might fit in either their Essays section or their Cuttings section.
Links Mentioned...
http://www.npr.org/thisibelieve/about.html
http://www.wildviolet.net/index.htmlBy WDavid, at 7/16/2006 08:39:00 PM
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Reminds me of some of the things I've read on the Starbuck's cups. Maybe you could submit it to them.
By PeggySueO, at 7/16/2006 10:26:00 PM
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David, this is a wonderful, revealing, uplifting piece. Personally, I don't see where you've missed the boat on any of the requirements.
And, I believe it would fit well into the essays NPR is seeking. On the linked page you mentioned, it states the previous series wanted "anyone able to distill into a few minutes the guiding principles by which they lived" and your piece works for that. It also states for the current program "they hope to encourage people to begin the much more difficult task of developing respect for beliefs different from their own" and I believe your piece fits there too. But, in the end, you are the one who must decide where to submit it.
I went to Wild Violets too and felt it would fit in nicely into their "Cutting" category.
On another note, I think you should read (and might enjoy) the poem "The Dragons of Norris Basin" listed on their site. You could write that type of poetry too if you wanted to (but I totally understand you are all fiction at the moment).By Ruth, at 7/17/2006 03:58:00 AM
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Peggy... I've never read a Starbucks cup. What do they have on them other than their logo and the word Starbucks?
Ruth...Thanks for the kind words. When I was writing the piece yesterday it seemed to be too negative for "This I Believe". Perhaps I'll have to go back and read more of their essays and get a better feel for what they want. I used the 2004 Short Story Writer's Market (I think you gave that to me for Christmas, didn't you?) to find Wild Violet. So, I'm not too familiar with them yet. I'll read what you suggested and more, and maybe some poetry will result. It'll be the highly formatted and syllable-counted variety though. I need those rigid structures for support. :-)By WDavid, at 7/17/2006 05:53:00 AM
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The early returns from the writeriffic class seem to support your comments, Ruth.
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Teresa writes: Hi, David, I do enjoy your writing. This is honest and heartfelt, and it reads very smoothly. You interpreted this your own way and wrote in your own style. I felt myself being drawn in more and more as I kept reading and you shared more about yourself. Again, great job.
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Your Instructor writes: Great idea to send it to Wild Violet, WDavid. And I enjoyed your anti-assignment mentality. I'm sure there are plenty of people who can extract meaning from their memorbilia, but you've done just the opposite. It's fresh and interesting, a good job. Eva
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Hawthorne writes: GI Joe dolls were a violent toy discuised as an affectionate object, but as uncuddly as a Barbie Doll - any normal kid would reject. Good questions to ponder what kids were given to play with, and we wonder if there was something odd about the kid????
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Ned writes: I think with crisp expressive writing you did capture our assignment. This piece communicates a positive outcome to finding who we are. I believe that pushing the positive forward outlook on life is a universal theme. One we can all do with, every day. As to influencing others, I ended up tweaking my ending prior to posting. Thank you for the work.By WDavid, at 7/17/2006 06:36:00 AM
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Great introduction... and you've stirred up some great GI Joe infused memories. I particularly liked this sentence: I’m thoughtful and forward-looking because each tomorrow shines with glorious potential for those who open their minds to welcome its coming.
But -- I think there's an "us" and "them" tension at play there... talking about you, but comparing yourself with everybody (actually, only those that "open their minds")
-- I think it could be said in a more positive way...
I’m thoughtful and forward-looking; tomorrow shines with glorious potential because I open my mind to welcome its coming.
/pBy Peter, at 7/18/2006 02:04:00 PM
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I like it alot David, but I also agree with Peter about rewriting that one sentence.
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Here are the last few comments from the Ed2Go class...
Cindy writes: WDavid, for those of us who have never fit in any stereotpye, who have childhoods of question, or who need to move on, I thank you. I will imprint your last paragraph in my mind and honor you by living it as best I can: "I don't live in yesterday. I don't discount what I am today by second-guessing my past. I live today. I consider today's choices, one by one, and go to bed knowing I've lived the day as best I could. And each night, before I go to sleep, I set my alarm clock to meet tomorrow's sunrise." Bless you, WDavid!
Glenda writes: WDavid Great job! Refreshing look at the assignment!
Denise writes: Very different from your previous writings, very heartfelt and most of all very honest. I agree with Eva, a good job of writing.
mark writes: been away for a few days and was anxious to read your work....you raised as many questions as you answered...nice job...enjoy your writing and class comments.
Hazel writes: As always, I am totally impressed by your writing style and all the quirky little prose you use. This piece I think stands on a whole new level for you. I loved it! Its honest. I definitly think you should submit this and let anyone and everyone read it! I also think everyone should grab hold of that last paragraph and hold on tight because there is no stronger truth.
Marilyn2 writes: I had trouble with this assignment and didnt start reading any of the others till I posted mine which was two days ago. Your writing is so heartfelt and real. I agree with everyone else. We have totally different writing styles but that's whatmakes the world wonderful. I am honored to know you, DavidBy WDavid, at 7/23/2006 02:34:00 PM
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Now that's glowing praise! Congratulations!
By Ruth, at 7/23/2006 04:43:00 PM
Friday, July 14, 2006
5 Comments:
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I just wrote this piece tonight for a class assignment. In class we were instructed to write a letter to a friend about an event that really happened and then one about a fictional event. Our homework was to choose one of the letters and polish it up into a story. I wrote both letters about my recent wisdom tooth extraction. One was the real story about an easy extraction. The second was about an extraction gone horribly wrong. My homework piece is a little bit from both, but in the end it's a lighthearted look at something most people are really scared about. I welcome all critiques and comments.
By WDavid, at 7/14/2006 08:56:00 PM
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Well, I think you said this was mostly the "gone wrong" made up version and I hope that's true as I'd hate to think you really choked on the mouthwash!
As for the "story", I think it would have read alright as a letter as it started out, but as a story it lacks something in the ending. I kind of had the "Is that all there is?" feeling. I guess I'm just used to your mystery/suspence/thriller type of story and this just seemed kind of tepid.By Ruth, at 7/15/2006 03:42:00 AM
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Ruth...(BTW, I'm going to use first names instead of Mom and Bro and Sis in hopes that others will start to join and will not be as aware of who "Mom" might be)...That's a fair assessment of the story. It's not an action thriller, for sure. It's more of a look at one man's fears, how circumstances accentuate those fears, and how he eventually has his fears proven wrong.
In my "it's all gone wrong" letter the anesthetic didn't work and he had to endure all of the tugs and twists and grinding the dentist had to do to get the teeth out. In that one his fears were justified. It might have made for a more gripping story but I thought that was a bad message to send. This piece, being, I hope, upbeat and a little humorous, might find it's way into a health newsletter or humor magazine. I’ll have to look at Writer’s Market and see what I can find. There’s bound to be some little newsletter somewhere in need of filler. :-)By WDavid, at 7/15/2006 06:45:00 AM
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I can easily see this as a letter to a friend. If you had posted the "gone wrong" story, I probably would have never gone to the dentist again!!
By PeggySueO, at 7/15/2006 08:53:00 PM
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Since you say this is a mix of both stories I have to ask, did you really swallow the mouthwash?
7 Comments:
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Hi Mom, I like it alot. A very positive, optimistic poem.
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Well, I'd kind of hoped that the whole family angle that started this writing group would remain hidden, but it's out of the bag now. :-) No problem. Ya, the first four members are all family.
As for the poem...yup, I like it. It's short (I never have been able to wade through lengthy poems) and it reads well. The cadence seems to work except for the last stanza. Maybe it was intentional, but it seems upside down from the other three. In those the third line has the fewest syllables but in the fourth stanza the third line has the most. Help me understand it.
And yes, I treat my stories like your poems. Whenever I read an older one I end up tweaking a few words here or there. My inner critic is never satisfied. :-)By WDavid, at 7/14/2006 09:08:00 PM
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David, unless I'm writing in a specific poetic form, I seldom count syllables so specifically that each line or stanza has to match. If it seems to flow well, I'm happy. Maybe that's a flaw in my writing... I don't aim for perfection!
By Ruth, at 7/15/2006 03:29:00 AM
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Perhaps you only have family here right now because this is so new and we have always been loyal blogger fans of yours, following you from one to the other. Give it time to grow and keep advertising!
By Ruth, at 7/15/2006 03:31:00 AM
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I'll grant that my exposure to poetry in school was limited but it always seemed to be all about the syllables. To me, poetry seemed to be the art of cramming wild and free-flowing emotions into an intricage cage made of syllable counts, rhyming patterns, and line numbers while still keeping the emotional essense intact. My own brief fixation with poetry was all cinquain and Fred is all about haiku. Perhaps you've managed to break more conventions than you think. :-)
By WDavid, at 7/15/2006 07:35:00 AM
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Somehow I doubt that creative writing instructors today spend a whole lot of time on the traditional forms, not when you consider what is winning contests. Your exposure to poetry definitely needs updating. Boy do you need to read more of today's poetry! You wouldn't believe the things people call poetry today which are winning contests all across the world. For years the most popular poetry winning contests was all free verse, and there are many variations of that, some of which are (to me) unintelligible gibberish, and some of which are understandable, but none of which rhyme or adhere to any syllable count as some traditional forms do. I noted recently too that some contests are choosing prose poetry as winners. All of those forms are new to me and that's why I want to keep experimenting with them.
By Ruth, at 7/16/2006 11:21:00 AM
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I love the ending, touching and wonderful the spirit behind those words. Placement and timing is everything.
Thanks for sharing,
AaronBy Aaron, at 7/17/2006 03:51:00 AM
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
1 Comments:
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Here's another photo inspired story. This photo was part of a set of magnets from Pontiac Motors to promote their Aztec SUV. THe word COOL and the icicles hanging from the sign caught my attention and led to this story. I submited this story to the CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition in 2004 and won a 7th Place Honorable Mention in the Short Story classification.
By WDavid, at 7/12/2006 08:04:00 PM
1 Comments:
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Many times a photo will inspire me to write a story. This photo was taken by my sister, Peggy. The brooding black and white image made me think of dark and sinister things and was the inspiration for the story I posted above. I submited this story to the CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition in 2004 but it did not win anything.
By WDavid, at 7/13/2006 12:42:00 PM
5 Comments:
Hi all!
Just joined the blog today. Have always loved to write, but haven't been very serious about it.
Trying to get more serious about it now.
Mostly I've written rhyming poetry that is more fun than artistic, but I'd like to start writing some stories.
It's late for me, but wanted to get something up and look forward to reading what others are sharing.
As I'm really just starting to get into this again, I'd really love any feedback at all. Does this spark any interest in the character? Does reading this much make you care at all what happens? Why? Why not? etc...
Thanks for a great site and great opportunity!
-Mike
By penitentman, at 7/31/2006 10:07:00 PM
Mike, thanks for joining our little group. I hope we continue to see more of your work. Please help us out by commenting of other posts here too.
Now, for your story... I totally enjoyed it. It is a very few moments in someone's life and does leave you wanting to know what happens next... Is he truly badly injured? What is he running from? who is pursueing him? Had I not had the title "Runaways", I might have concluded that he was in some kind of race and had a grand "lead" toward making it to the finish line first.
I also hope to see some of your poetry here since my first love has also been rhyming poetry and when I am truly enjoying it, I am "playing" with it. I'm just now trying to learn to write poetry without rhyming and it's a real challenge!
By Ruth, at 8/01/2006 04:34:00 AM
Mike...Welcome to our world. :-)
I've been eagerly awaiting another short storist...I'm surrounded by poets and out of my depth. :-)
Like Ruth, I initially thought it was a race of some sort. The "airbike" got my attention and I immediately wanted to know what that was all about. I guess the recent tour de france had my mind on cycling. When I saw that he had a "24 hour lead" I began to suspect something other than a race in the competitive sence.
Yes, I thought Dom (Dominic?) was engaging with he self recrimination for blowing his lead. I would like to know how he managed to crash the airbike and what he's racing away from.
You've created a sense of urgency and a sense of impending peril for Dom if he can't get himself moving again.
There was one place that I stumbled. "He glanced around at his surroundings once more. He found himself in a shallow ravine, sitting in the shadow of a bridge that spanned its breadth overhead. Looking around, he could tell it wasn't going to be an easy climb out of there." There's a lot of looking around going on here and I think it's safe to assume that a bridge would naturally span the breadth of a ravine so stating it her seems clumsy. Maybe rephrasing it like "The desert rose steeply on either side and the railroad bridge at the top of the ravine cast it's gridwork shadow on Dom. Climbing up to level ground would be tricky thanks to the gully's loose rock and dirt walls."
Just a suggestion. Take it for what it'sworth. :-)
By WDavid, at 8/01/2006 07:06:00 AM
Good story -- I definitely wanted to know why Dom got into his predicament, and where he was going next.
I also liked the quotes of the mind chatter.
But I didn't like the reference to "sorry butt" after Dom realized how injured he was -- the voice went from gentleman biker to something different, and back. Maybe you could move the colloquial language into the mind chatter, but leave the narrative with a consistent voice?
By Peter, at 8/02/2006 12:35:00 PM
I did like the story and definitely wanted to know everything all the others have already mentioned. I'm not sure that I liked the narrative talking though with all the other mind talking. It just seemed out of place to me, but what do I know?
By PeggySueO, at 8/02/2006 10:02:00 PM
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