Impression:
Paradise Cove is a monthy writing contest that accepts both romance and erotica stories. The rules are clearly defined and the contest has generous prizes for the winners, including merit badges, awardicons and gift points. The contest allows for up to a 5,000 word count limit, which gives the writers a lot of room to work their craft. Multiple judges help to keep the prompts fresh. The page is laid out creatively, and everything is clearly defined.
Impression
A group that accepts any case color and is heavily active in the WdC community. The group supports many contests and activities, including blogging. The Talent Pond seems like a great group for both newbies and those of us who have been on site for years. Membership is strong. The group home page is appealing and everything is well spelled out. With support for writers and informative newsletters, it's no wonder this group has over 200 members. The Talent Pond offers honest and constructive reviews as well, which is important to all of us seeking to strengthen our craft.
Plot:
The loss of a child makes it difficult for her mother to function as she isolates herself in her daughter's room.
Characters:
It was easy to feel the anguish of your main character as her world was turned upside down. Those scars will be long-term and you conveyed that well.
Use of Prompt: Included Word Count:
Grammar/Spelling/Repeats:
Each time she heard them the pain become-became more unbearable.
Overall Impression:
Great descriptions of the room as the mother sees it now, having studied every inch in great detail. You did a good job making me feel for this woman as her life is now forever changed. Solid story.
Plot:
Sachith is devastated by the loss of his love, Riya. He spends a day planning out the perfect birthday for her, and before the day ends, chaos erupts and robs him of the one person he wants most in life.
Characters:
Sachith replays Riya's last day with him as he sits by the water, getting soaked from the waves, but unable to care about the cold. His thoughts are constant with Riya and how they spend that last day together. The scar on his arm is a reminder.
Use of Prompt: Included Word Count:
Grammar/Spelling/Repeats:
where it was not a surprise not knowing who lived in the room next to yours.
~There are a few issues. Add punctuation to your dialog. Either a comma before the end quote when someone is speaking, or a period or question mark. Punctuation at the end of sentences should be immediately after the last word, no spaces necessary.
Overall Impression:
What a bittersweet story. I liked how you weaved in and out from then and now, almost as if Sachith continually relived that fateful day. It was easy to feel his heartbreak at the loss of Riya, as well as the happiness he felt that day when he surprised her. You did a good job setting the scene with vivid descriptions.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
There were stanza's that had natural flow and the rhyming worked really well. This unfolded like a story.
Emotions/Imagery:
I love merit badges, and as grown-up Girl Scout, it does take me back to those elementary school days. You did a good job describing the badges and taking me on that journey of excitement over merit badges and being a Quill nominee.
Impressions:
Nice touch adding the Scout badge with the poem. Please remember for future entries to include your line count so you are not disqualified. Since you were the only entry for Round 15, please accept these GPs as a thank you for consistently entering my contest!
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
Nicely done with Diamante and bringing this flower to life.
Emotions/Imagery:
Great word choices to describe this flower and how it is an indication of Spring. I could picture the leaves opening.
Impressions:
Using the purple font, and the picture really brought this poem altogether. Reaches ~ stretches - these two words were powerful and showed the leaves reaching their full potential to bring the flower to life. Nice job.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
What a powerful Diamonte. Each word was chosen so carefully that really showcased what is happening in the United States.
Emotions/Imagery:
I cannot disagree with, unfortunately. You captured the way a lot of us are feeling now, compared to how we used to feel when we thought about this great nation of ours.
Impressions:
Not only did you write a kick a$$ poem, but the way you showcased America in the top of the poem and then again at the bottom really stood out and complimented all you had to say. I love it!
PLOT -
Helping family in need sometimes comes with its own disasters setbacks
THOUGHTS -
This was hilarious! You do such a great job painting the picture with humor and insights into how you are really feeling about the situation. There was so much going on in my mind as I read this short story, and certain words and phrases just screamed off the page making me smile or laugh. It was so easy to picture your son straddling the washing machine as he came to the rescue to turn off the water. Hell's gate, blue light, braggadocious hotel, etc, all invoked such great images of what was really going on. I loved this story, and it brings to mind how sometimes our good intentions come back to bite us as a gentle reminder and reality check. Thanks for sharing this story.
PLOT -
Some gifts come about in the most unexpected of ways. Not only did Hannah bring Marie into his life, but also, brought their daughter back to him.
THOUGHTS -
This piece gives you a lot to think about, and also touches on the mysteries of the universe. As painful as losing someone you love is, organ donation sometimes makes the situation worse for those left behind. You touched upon all of that, and make the reader ponder this situation, which is always a good thing. I liked that it had a happy ending, and that he discovered that Hannah's parting gift was the gift of life for him and his daughter. Contest entries don't always give you a huge window to get in as much information as we would like, but you managed to get the importance of this short story in there. Nicely done!
I love that you have such vivid memories of your childhood and these gatherings with family and friends. What a Wonderful World is a beautiful song, and I can see the appeal of it for you and your family. You have a loving tribute to your mom here, and the memories that will keep her close to your heart. There is nothing quite like those songs that stop us in our tracks and takes us back to certain events in our lives. Smile through the tears, because the one thing that never ends, is the love that was created. It lives on through you, and so does your mom.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
Good flow with your take on current events.
Emotions/Imagery:
I could easily picture Trump high upon his wall, looking down at a sea of bodies in protest, yet not caring about it at all. Good job putting that imagery in my mind. I laughed out loud at the last two sentences because they were so true!
Impressions:
I enjoyed your entry. With the way things are in the world right now, we could all use a little more laughter. Thank you for incorporating that in your poem.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
This had great rhythm and flow, so much so that I was completely absorbed in it! Good job with the rhymes as well.
Emotions/Imagery:
Here's where the poem shined. You took current events and made it a Q&A. You nailed so many points poetically, and hit upon so many issues a lot of us are feeling.
Impressions:
Nicely done! I loved your take on current events and it really spoke to me. Great, thoughtful writing. I must admit I loved the last stanza the most. Who can disagree with alternative facts?
Contest Page:The page layout worked well, as a picture of Prince was showcased at the top of the page. The contest page gave clear information about how many could participate in the contest [8], and what was expected in regards to the writing challenges. I liked that you left it up to the participants to choose the songs, from Prince's vast song list, and create either a poem, or a short story highlighting lyrics.
Overall: The rules were clear and, and the prizes upon completion of the writing were well worth the effort. Not all contests offer an exclusive merit badge. The Prince merit badge is enticing entrants. Congrats on the nomination, and on running a terrific contest that let's writers stretch their creativity while incorporating great music.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
Great rhyme and rhythm throughout this sonnet. It flowed so well.
Emotions/Imagery:
Nicely done as this conversation between a mother and soon to be wed son. I could relate to this one well.
Impressions:
You really did capture this event well and made me smile as well. Unfortunately your entry was late by a day. The contest rounds run from the 1st-15th, and the 16th to the last day of the month.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
Really good job with the rhyme scheme and it flowed well throughout.
Emotions/Imagery:
Good emotions of how he felt about her. It was sweet and moving. I especially liked the couplet.
Impressions:
I enjoyed this poem you created, unfortunately, it was late for the contest, which runs from the 1st of the month through the 15th, and the 16th, to the last day of the month.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
The rhythm and rhyme worked really well in this poem.
Emotions/Imagery:
It was easy to feel the loneliness of thinking of that special someone is but a memory now. That longing really came through. I could picture her roaming the halls in a daze, her mind caught up in distant memories.
Impressions:
I enjoyed the poem. It didn't really follow the prompt this round.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
You did a great job with rhythm, flow and rhyme. Your poem worked really well.
Emotions/Imagery:
A sweet poem of love. I really liked the first two lines that showed how far one would go for the other. Being someone's heel is serious business. Really solid imagery that invokes emotions of strong love and devotion.
Impressions:
Unfortunately, I was looking for a little more naughty than nice this round.
Summary: A poem about what we as writers do. This was a solid poem, telling the tale of how we go about writing, and how we must get the words written. I could really identify with this.
Critique: I loved this part:
If you cannot get it out
of your soul to paper
or screen you will explode.
It is so true. Just trying to get the words down can drive you crazy as you look for any way to have them in some form of writing. Great job!
Rhythm/Rhyme: Good rhythm and flow in this poem. The rhyme scheme worked as well.
Summary: A bittersweet poem of love and loss, however brief. You did well with adding good images of the rain, dew, leaf and how the two drops became one, only to be sent crashing to the ground.
Critique: I enjoy reading poems of love, and even though this had separation, the sweetness of how the lonely one became two, and then they both separated again worked really well. Write on.
PLOT -
Taygen is busy with writing, a writing group, taking care of her husband and the house and a job. She is not appreciated by Carson and they wind up having the same argument yet again.
SETTING -
I could picture the house with clutter as Taygen described how cleaning was difficult because of all the work tools. Remembher to add reactions during an argument. Have them moving as the conversation/argument progresses. Inner dialogue would work well here too as Taygen doesn't really want her thoughts out there for Carson to hear.
CHARACTERS -
I wondered what Carson looked like. I did get a slight picture in my mind from his facial expression, and the from the way he spoke to his wife.
GRAMMAR/SPELLING/DIALOGUE -
rung right out. ~~wrung
She let her mind consider possibilities as Carson continued to barrage her with his complains-complaints
THOUGHTS -
You overused the ellipses'. Most of them aren't necessary and because of the frequency it pulled me out of the story. I was also a bit confused about the beginning just before she came home. Watch repeating words. Energized was used a lot. Look for other words that give the same meaning. Taygen doesn't seem happy with her married life and I wondered why she chose this man in the first place. I wish you lots of luck with Nano. Just keep writing and push through. Don't worry about editing things.
Rhythm/Rhyme/Flow: You had a good rhyme scheme that flowed well from one stanza to the next, telling the tale of the impending hurricane.
Summary: You did a good job showing how prayer really can help in these trying times we live in. It is what we depend on to see us through the good and bad things in our life. Mother Nature can be devastating, and you summed that up well.
Critique: You took a recent event, Hurricane Matthew and turned into a solid poem that had an uplifting ending. If you had to evacuate, I hope that you and your family are all safe and well now.
PLOT -
Janet is sweeping up, hoping to gain Frank's attention.
SETTING -
Nice job showing that she was being neat even in her attempt to get the fire going.
CHARACTERS -
Janet is a neat arsonist. Nice twist there!
GRAMMAR/SPELLING/DIALOGUE -
No dialogue. No errors.
THOUGHTS -
I didn't read the intro for the story so I was nice and shocked by the twist at the end. Might want to change that so your reader doesn't get a heads up. You did good with the music prompt and showing a story in less than one hundred words. Good luck in the contest!
Rhythm/Rhyme: Nice rhyme with this poem about love conquering all. Even through loss the message and love remains.
Summary: Isn't love an extraordinary thing? You really captured the message of the power of love, even through loss. The physical loss is felt so deeply, yet love lives on lifting our spirits as reminders are all around us.
Critique: Good imagery in this poem, showing the darkness that tries to invade, yet the bright light of love pierces through it. This is a very heartfelt piece that leaves the reader with hope. Nice job conveying that.
Rhyme/Rhythm/Flow:
Good rhythm throughout. There were a couple places where the flow was interrupted because of a word that I think is misspelled and two words that needed a space.
on not seeing youagain
is too much to bare.~~I think you mean bear, as in too much to take/endure?
Emotions/Imagery:
Really good emotions of loss. You were able to capture the pain and bring that to the forefront.
Impressions:
Writing about pain and loss isn't an easy task, but you did it well with your poem about losing a family member. It tugged at my heart and I could feel the sadness and emotional turmoil. Nice job!
PLOT -
Jenna is bound and enjoying every second of her anniversary gift.
SETTING -
You pulled me right into the scene between these two characters. It was very hot, and ended way too soon. The scene was described well from beginning to end. Sultry and sexy.
CHARACTERS -
Jenna was a perfect character, completely consumed with what he did to her, craving more, needing her lover.
GRAMMAR/SPELLING/DIALOGUE -
No issues. Dialogue worked really well, both internal and external.
THOUGHTS -
What a great ride this was. Great descriptions that painted the scene, lots of heat. Great job with using the prompt for this round. Good luck in the contest.
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