hawkedup

I was working on a novel for two years (I submitted a bit here a while back) but then just hit a brick wall on it. I shelved it in October or so thinking I'd never come back to it. I started a new, simpler, novel in December with one goal: FINISH. At that point I had never completed anything beyond first draft nanowrimos. The new book has been through 3 full drafts and I am VERY close to completely the final draft. I don't think it's publishable by any means but I learned so much. Anyway, my plan was to move forward and leave that previous book behind but I went back to it just to see what I could see. I cut it at the point where it started having problems and then completely re-worked an outline for everything that came after that point. It was SOOO much better than what I had planned before. So now I will be finishing that one.

Interesting perspective! So, is it safe to say that every scene must have--if not a beginning, middle and ending--at least an arc? Can you tell when writing if you're in a scene or not?

Schlock Mercenary type space opera. Cultural building. The cat. Not much else to add to the comments above. The best part was handling so many different species in a natural way that was both descriptive enough for the moment but vague enough that I never felt like the narrative was being interrupted. If I had to pick a con it would be the narrative voice, which feels at odd with the narrative itself, but it's hard to tell how invasive it actually is based on 9 pages.

When the sense of progress halts. I'd say a page is pushing it but really a paragraph is too much. If there is no sense of progress the information being delivered has no meaning in the moment and is therefore skim-able. How do you guys build a scene? What are some prerequisite every scene must have? How many scenes are in your most recently finished project (and how many words total)?

My $0.02: My biggest concern is that in 13 pages we only really get one actual scene. It's from when H opens the door until he is safe again. That part reads and flows really well, honestly. As of right now, the story I'm reading is about keeping W safe. I actually think this is a great story. Keeping an animals safe has mass appeal and isn't something you see very often in modern SF--especially not right off the bat. However, everything before this is vague to the point where if this was a book I bought off the shelf I wouldn't bother remembering any of the details. Giving you the benefit of the doubt (something I wouldn't do as solely a reader) I'm going to assume much of it will make more sense upon a re-read, and if this is the case, I admire the ambition. However, even if this is the case, that means the the information we receive isn't actually pertinent to me in the here and now and it is therefore skim-able. Which is a bummer because it seems like you spent time on the world but all the interesting stuff happened off screen.

Spectrals are the magic users of the world. Everyone in the Mage Corps is a spectral. Every spectral is supposed to be in the Mage Corps. There are unregistered spectrals in the world, people who don't want to give up their families and the like, but being caught is... very bad. The train stopped. Everyone got on. The others were questioned before Z woke up. R and M then got off the train with their bluecoat guards and started heading north (the same way they were traveling to begin with). Thanks for flagging the confusion here. I'll make sure this is all much clearer in the next edit. No. Bluecoats are elite soldiers but not magic users. That's on me. I had them on the road originally but then thought it would be better if they continued to use the tunnel. Ah, I see the confusion. I'll be more clear in the future, but no the pueblo is one of a few along a main road that goes North and South connecting the capital city in the north (where the God King is) and the Front in the far south. So the kids left the pueblo heading north. Encountered the train heading south. Now Z is going south and R and M are still heading in the same direction, north, as before. Thanks for the help @Mandamon! Very helpful as usual!

That's what I was going for, implying that it actually broke the skin in some places. I'll be clearer in the next draft. This is also the pain she is feeling you mention later. Good catch! This was a remnant. Original it was a falcon but thought carrion eater was better image. Fixed! I was going for "hoping" she was crazy but I must've missed the mark. A remnant from before I read all the train statistics you provided! Thanks for the flag. A few times but always in passing. This was the most obvious--so far. She knows her mom is because they tell her she is but she doesn't know whether her friends are on the train or not. The train is going to the Front, which is in the south. The city is to the north. Was going for Rico thinking she was ogling more than she was actually ogling. Will make sure its clear this is, at least mostly, in his head. Yep! No, it really isn't, and it would probably hurt Z's feelings. Noted. Once the train stops, Z is *at* the Front. R and M are the ones moving away from the Front, toward the city. Thanks for everything, @Robinski! As always, the chapter is leaps and bounds better after your comments!

Hey, everybody! So, life has been getting in the way of writing again... But this time it's something GOOD. I got a promotion at work! Woo! I'm going to be mostly MIA for the next month or so while I'm learning the ins and outs of my new position. I'm still going to be an active participant in the group, reading everything and commenting when I can, but I'm sorry if I'm not able to do proper critiques like you all deserve. I will of course be pulling myself out of the submission rotation until such time as I can provide proper feedback. Anyway, just thought I'd drop a line. Happy writing!

Previously - Z, R and M have found a "demon egg" which revealed to them a secret: People are dying of old age decades before they are supposed to. They are on their way to Rossendar City to bring this information to the God King when they encounter Z's estranged mother who saves them from a demon and shows them a secret train tunnel that will help them get to the city faster. However, a train carrying important officials passes and stops when Z's soul lantern flares and finally takes its first form: a boring candle. Z wakes up in an interrogation room on the train. General Y reveals that Z is one of the anointed--someone who can serve as a host for the God King. Notes: - We are now into Act 2 and I'm really starting to get hit with that whole Impostor Syndrome thing. Doubting myself and the story. I'm particularly afraid that splitting the plot into two (temporarily) is going to make people disinterested. As always, thanks for reading, and don't be gentle!

I finally have the next chapter written if I could submit Mon 30th please

Looking forward to seeing you around again!

That surprises me. I love the Dark Tower so much, especially book 3. (If you had said book 4 I would've understood because that is a flashback book and I skip it in my re-reads because it's so much weaker than the rest.) It's one of the only series I'd put on the same level as Brandon's work. Young Reader books are literally full of kids doing dangerous things that they should never ever do in real life. Running away from home. Stealing cars. Riding makeshift rafts down the Mississippi. If the narrative makes the dangers clear and illustrates what happens if someone is careless, you actually might prevent a kid doing something stupid with poison ivy in real life. But that's just my two cents. It's your book and you of course should do what you feel comfortable with.

So, I was also kinda confused by the sudden appearance of the cabin and the way it tied to everyone seemed too convenient. This isn't to say I didn't like it, but we definitely need to know about it much earlier. I don't know why but I feel like your physical descriptions took a big step up in this submission. Up until now I've had a hard time figuring out the logistics of the action but I thought the scene(s) were set really well. It also helped my mind's eye during some of the less detailed moments (like the flashback roof stuff). I'm glad A seems to be an active character finally. Really like the poison ivy call back. I remember that sticking out to me when I read it and when E figures it out I literally went "Oooohhhhhh..." and I almost never express myself verbally while reading. I also like that the thing they will need to help fight M is something as dangerous as poison ivy. I kept meaning to ask in previous critiques and only remembered this time because you name drop Stephen King (ph not v), but have you read the book IT? Not only do I get a Derry vibe from your story but there are some really fantastic bike riding scenes in that book. Oops! Got busy at work. To be continued...

Do you get to choose your own reading material?

As Rick Sanchez would say, don't even trip, dawg! We got you. What classes do you teach?