Sprocket [E] A steampunk tinker helps her employer win the big race--300 words |
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines. THE STORY Sprocket is a helpful apprentice and there's one more race to tackle. WHAT I LIKED I loved the undercurrent of respect Sprocket had for Mr. Alexander. Very well done considering the word count. POV NARRATION/TENSE This is told in the third person limited from Sprocket's perspective. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately. DIALOGUE There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. I would suggest an edit for dialogue tags. Use only "he said" or "she replied" in tags to identify the speaker only, if you have to. Put action in a seperate sentence. Put the action first, then the dialogue. FOR EXAMPLE, AS WRITTEN: "Check your pilot’s seat, Mr. Alexander,” she answered calmly, then scratched her cheek, surveying the beauty of what she hoped would carry her…her whatever he was, over the finish line first." MY SUGGESTION: "Check your pilot's seat, Mr. Alexander." She scratched her check, surveying the beauty of what she hoped would carry her...her whatever he was, over the finish line first. DESCRIPTIONS There's enough to set the scenes. I liked: "Fearful tears filled his eyes." -- The author uses a good economy of words to convey a vivid picture in the reader's mind as well as communicate emotion. Mr. Alexander is afraid to race again. SETTING TIME: This is a steampunk fantasy which is an alternate past. PLACE: airship race This is something that is clarified for the reader. CHARACTERS Sprocket Sprocket is dedicated to her craft, but she also knows a little about Mr. Alexander and how to motivate him. Great characterization for a small story. MECHANICS I did not spot any puncutation/spelling mistakes. PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS This was an entry for the Daily Flash Fiction which had a strict word count, and set words to be used for the prompt. The author did a great job meeting the challenge. The title is representative of the story, and the opening places the reader right in the scene ready to go. Well done! HAPPY WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM "Anniversary Reviews" An Angel Army Review
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