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Printed from https://writing.com/main/profile/reviews/thekindred
Review Requests: ON
1,490 Public Reviews Given
1,952 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
I have a form I use for reviews. I look for a Goal, Motivation, Conflict and Resolution. It also allows me to tell what I liked and what I thinks needs improving. In my reviews I may make suggestions by adding my take on what the author is trying to say. Purely a suggestion to take or leave as needed.
I'm good at...
Giving in depth and fair reviews. I usually review stories that interest me. I don't always like them but they have promise and potential. I am fair but I AM reviewing. I do not review grammar or spelling. I do point out past and present tenses as well as the over use of WAS, WENT, THE and THAT in one story so watch those.
Favorite Genres
inspirational, mystery,action/Adventure, paranormal and anything that falls into those broad genre, some fantasy and comedy
Least Favorite Genres
Vampires,YA or adult. This genre is overrated and unless you write much better than Steph Meyer, I probably won't read it. Most Non-fiction unless the premise interest me. Always worth an ask.
Favorite Item Types
Everything in the STATIC file except the ones listed below: Look down
Least Favorite Item Types
Appendix, bulletin, campfire, in n out, editorial,letter/memo, lyrics, outline, preface, script/play, Poetry.
I will not review...
Poetry. I don't understand this style and don't feel confident to review it. Novel or novella, I reserve the right to refuse to review. Not to hurt feelings, but time wise it may be something I can't give good attention to, but always ask.
Public Reviews
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1
1
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.5)
Hi, Author Joseph J. Madden Author Icon per your request.


Overall Impression

A good incident. I had forgotten part 1 and this helped a little to update me. You wrote a good scene with conflict and motivation. I felt I had a good handle on the characters.

Setting:

I liked the setting of the castle, but it could use a little more detail. In a novel, the main character needs to move through the room with more detail. Sliding into the throne room could use a bit more explanation.

Plot:

You did a good job setting up the scene and telling the motivation as well as the call to action. We see the main character get caught and rescued. The scene ended well and progressed to the next chapter.

Characters:

The characters in this scene are good and you have actions that show the reader some of their strong points and weaknesses. It's a good description. There is a little backstory and foretelling to keep the reader involved.

Suggestions:

The start of this chapter is slow. You use WAS WERE GONE where they need to be reworked. These words act as speed bumps in a story. Working on not using them makes you a better writer. It forces you to choose different wording. Work on this moving forward. What can you say differently so the reader is grabbed and wants to read to the end?
The entrance of the Queen could be a little better. What is Kieran's weapon of choice? Does she have a power? why didn't she use either one against the queen? The use of the Muskett to hit her was a little weak. If you rework the fight scene so it has a build up and climax. A little more detail on the aftermath would be helpful.

In conclusion:
I found the dragon a hoot. Getting sick was wonderful and took the intense of the fight to a softer level. If this isn't what you want then make the build up and climax stronger and only at the end does the dragon heave the queen out the window.


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2
2
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi, Lee Author Icon Per your request


Overall Impression

I read this with anticipation. I am not a runner, not do I watch this sport. However I watched a movie about a young girl who ran in a marathon. I drew from what I remember. I loved the idea you used a song to inspire you. I also liked you did this to honor your relative. It was an inspiring story.

Setting:

While you didn't say it at the beginning, I had hints that it was set in England. The mention of the different places you passed added that personal touch and anyone who lives there will recognize the spots. We have Aldis here in the USA and I've seen the story about its origin, so there was a connection for me.

Plot:

You began the story by introducing your grandfather and your connection to him. Adding a couple of little anecdotes helped give the story that personal touch. However, the progress is slow and somewhat hard to read. Once the race started the story became an anticipation to the end. What I didn't realize until almost the end he stayed ahead of the pack. There was just a little conflict when he headed to the incline. Anyone reading the end will feel elated.

Characters:

You told the reader what you felt. You also told the motivation. The process of training to run the 10K is a process where you grow. How hard was it to train? Even if you only give a few more sentences, the reader needs to see a change. The before and after.


Suggestions:

The chapter set up needs to be looked at. You have short ones and long ones. They end with no real transition between them. You need to guide the reader so they want to continue to reach the end. You want them to wonder if you are the winner. A little of you wondering how far the others are behind. If you are so far ahead, there isn't a reason to run at your peak endurance. Most people slack off saving the burst if you hear others gaining. This didn't seem to be the situation so I wondered how he kept his pace other than the songs.
I think a little line editing and rework is needed.

In conclusion:

This is a good story with a good motivating factor, to raise money for cancer.

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3
3
Review of My Favorite Dog  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi, Jacky Author Icon I was drawn to your story because the title and brief description.


Overall Impression

This is a feel-good story that reminded me of 101 Dalmations

Setting:

You described the setting with good words, giving the sense that it was spring in a snowy part of the country. Most of us know the muddy spring ground.

Plot:

We got the sense that the person didn't want to walk the dog, (neither so I so I could sympathize) The size of the dog is part of the conflict which shows the walker didn't have control of a large dog. What I loved was the end where the dog's conflict brought the savior and walker together. Happy ending.


Suggestions:

I have no suggestions for this story. It is well written.

In conclusion:

I love the story and the happy ending. I look forward to reading these kind of stories.

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4
4
Review of Bitter Brews  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (3.0)
Hi, QueenNormaJean maybesnow?! Author Icon I was drawn to your story because the title and brief description.


Overall Impression

I love a good cuppa. I was interested in a story about two ladies drinking tea.

Setting:

I didn't get too much of the setting. I'm sure there was a WC limit, so setting is assumed by the reader if you've ever been in a tea shop.

Plot:

I didn't get a goal here. Two women drinking tea that seemed to a ritual for them. No motivation for doing so, except that a new tea was offered and it tasted bitter. Neither gave much of a personal view of the tea.

Characters:

I didn't get a sense of age, except that the two seemed to have been meeting for a while. They seemed a bit like talking heads, but I wasn't put off by it. I wanted to find out the purpose of the story.

Suggestions:

I didn't get the ending. The lead up didn't fit the end. The two women were drinking a bitter teas and no one saw them at closing. The owner thought he'd cleaned up the previous night. You need to have some sense of action and reaction. If they disappear, you need to have something that leads the reader to realize that's what happened. It's like Chekovs gun; if someone is going to get shot, there needs to be a gun in the beginning of the story. If you have two people disappear, you need to have a reason this happens. Maybe they notice no one says goodbye or something.

In conclusion:

I love a good tea shop story. I think once you can expand the story you can do so filling in extra description.


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5
5
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi, L.A.Saxe Author Icon I was drawn to your story because the title and brief description.


Overall Impression

I loved the story. I felt engaged right away. When I got to the end and realized it was a SHORT story, I was disappointed. You have a good story.

Setting:

The setting immediately put me into the story and I knew where I was as well as the era. With just a few words You set the stage.

Plot:

You gave the goal in the first line. We saw the problem and the question what was going to happen next. You also show the motivation as well as what was at stake with failure.
You added more conflict then reasoned it. You checked all the boxes

Characters:
Since this was a flash fiction you didn’t give too many character faults. I did wonder how he came to get it right at the end when he failed the first two times. Third time a charm?

In conclusion:

I felt you gave the reader an excellent story with failure on failure but he didn’t give up. I can see this turned into a longer story. I hope you win. .


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6
6
Review of Old Magic  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Hi, JulianBenabides Author Icon I was drawn to your story because of the title and brief description.


Overall Impression I was curious about what your fantasy story might tell me. It left me with more questions than answers.


Plot:
Your story opened with a drop into action. The dialogue gave me an insight into a possible war the two characters were waiting to start. Following that the story morphed into a story about a fire. I wondered what the point of the ant war had to do with the beginning. What was the point of the war and what was at stake?

Characters:

The two characters at the beginning need a bit more description so I might be able to "see" them. This is a fantasy and I don't get a good feel for them. I did get they have excellent hearing and are able to tell one animal from another. I loved the ant descriptions.
The rest of the characters didn't enter with any description or tell me what their place in this world was.

Goal, Motivation and Conflict

I needed more information about the goal of this story and what the characters place in the goal. What was their motivation in the war? What was the war about and what would they gain if they went to war?
There wasn't a conflict in this section. I needed to hear what might hold the character back, you mentioned fear and that was good, but I needed more. It seemed all too easy going.


In conclusion:

I feel you have a promise of a start to a good story. You have a sense of where you want the story to go. I feel you have a leg up on many writers by having a handle on dialogue. This can be difficult to do and you did it well.
I hope you keep writing this plot



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7
7
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: ASR | (3.5)
Hi, spacefiction


Overall Impression

I wondered what you would write about spaghetti. You held my interest almost all the way through.

Setting:

I didn't get the reason Andrew interviewed Nora. There was a prologue about not being science fiction but I didn't get any hint of anything sciencey.

Plot:

I love spaghetti, I see why Mom is concerned. You show her concern. I didn't get what her goal was for being in the interview or talking about Mark.

Characters:

You did a great job with Mom. Her concern for Mark and her willingness to talk about him. I think you tried to associate his eating with the death of his father but it didn't quite make it for me. There needed to be one more thing that connected the two.
Andrew was a filler and had no position. You needed to give him a purpose for the interview.

Suggestions:
I think the only issue that would have cleared this story was to give mom a goal and what motivated her and what was stopping the situation?


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8
8
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: ASR | N/A (Review only item.)
Hello (insert user)

I am reviewing in the "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group"

Overall Review: I liked the story. I think you did a good job of giving the characters a voice and showing the era difference. You have good dialogue that was easy to follow. You followed the Goal, Motivation, and conflict format easily. Good job.




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9
9
Review of THE FRONT  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (3.5)
Hello Bob Author IconMail Icon

I am reviewing in the "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group."

Overall Review:
I liked your idea and the general plot idea. I didn't get this as a story, but more like something you'd like to develop. I think it's worth working on.

What is the goal or purpose? I realized her goal was to work in the fashion business. I don't know what is involved, but I don't think it's that easy. This could develop into the conflict you need to make this into a longer piece.


Is there a motivation? You are subtle about this. Her living on the other side of the tracks, living a false life at school. Good work.

What are the conflicts? Not much here. You need to develop this a bit more. This piece had no story, it was more and idea.

What I Liked: I like the plot. I'm a sucker for the less fortunate making it to their goal by working hard and developing their talent. (sorry I overused that word)

What Needs Work: As I said this needs to be made into a longer story with more angst in it.


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10
10
Review of Life and Death  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.5)
Dear BlakeFran3 Author IconMail Icon

*Quill* What I liked about the story:
I loved the title. I loved the first two paragraphs about baseball. I have enjoyed baseball and understand the game. You have the ability to string together words that sound good when read. However, most of the sentences that fill the large paragraphs do not explain the basic concept.

*Quill* What is the goal of this piece?
I accepted the request because I wanted to understand your perspective on life and death. What I read didn't answer the basic question. What do you believe?

*Quill* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? I didn't get the motivation of this piece. You understand that through giving, charity, and generosity, you will receive. This is a sample of the incomplete sentence and concept example.
The value is not in hoarding up for yourself, but rather hoarding and then giving to those in need. The word hoarding is to stockpile or amass something. Usually used as a negative verb. This is a good sentence. What does it have to do with life or death?

*Quill* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal?
 You list many conflicts in this piece. Many are opposite examples and some are the same. Most of the examples don't have a resolution or give hope or define no hope for the reader.

*Quill* Resolution: The ultimate purpose of traveling is to die and then be reborn again while we are still in the yellow wood, while we are still traveling. This totally confused me.
but it's the single most important and rewarding adventure we can have while here, in the material world. What was this? what is the most rewarding adventure? to die or do you mean live?
It's a harrowing defeat of all that we thought we were, all that held us back, What was defeated?

*Quill* What do I think needs work:
While you have great ability to put words together, the average reader will be lost to the point you want to make. I wish I could have understood your explanation. I'm sure you see what you want to see, but it was lost on me.
I suggest you might make a bullet point piece. What is your belief in death? What is your belief on the hereafter? What is your definition of free-will and its place in each person's life?



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11
11
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (2.5)
Hello Elby Wordsmith Author Icon My name is Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon and I'm responding to your request for a review of "My Life Philosophy/(the Greatest Prank)" Open in new Window.

*DropR*Title I wasn't impressed with this title after reading what you write. I think I'd like it to be; My Greatest Prank Against the Government

*Dropr* BeginningI wasn't sure where you were going at the beginning? It provoked a small smile from me as I'm not that far behind you in years.

*Dropr* Setting I get that you are in Canada. Things must be different there. I didn't understand why living a looong life would mean you have to default your pensions.

*Dropr* Characters This would be about the author which you've told us you are 74 year old. Your life has been a long one and a good one. I do get you have a sense of humor and are willing to laugh at your own expense.

*Dropr* Goal To live to 153 is quite a feat. Since no one since the Old Testament has reached that age, it will take a bit of health care and some perpetuity.

*Dropr* Motivation Here is where I didn't understand your desire to live a long life except to thwart the government. I'd like a little deeper motivation. You mention the connection to people and the least of all a sex life. These both seem out of place for someone wanting to live this many years past the expectation of life.

*Dropr* Conflict None expect that that long of life comes with it's own conflicts.

*Dropr* What I liked This was a great idea and I'd love to see it expanded.

*Dropr* My SuggestionsYour formant needs some work.
1) You started two paragraphs with the same word. Change that and rework where you have used the word, WAS. Don't start a sentence with the word BUT.
2) You add emotion to the piece by telling people what to do, If you have written something funny people will laugh or grin. If not, it wasn't funny.
3) I suggest you elaborate on what the effect is by putting a fake date on your tombstone. What are the drawbacks? Some people cant' add? They don't get it? Who would look it up to see what your read death is? This isn't like the tombstones with funny epitaphs on them

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12
12
Review of A New Dawn Ch.1  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (3.0)
Hello riajin-ryu0 My name is Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon and I'm responding to your request for a review of "A New Dawn Ch.1" Open in new Window.

*DropR*Title A New Dawn- A good start.

*Dropr* Beginning You give a good introduction of the characters.

*Dropr* Setting I'm not exactly sure of the setting for this story. I'd like more information as to the setting. I think this is a fantasy with Witches and Warlocks.

*Dropr* Characters You introduce us to a set of twins. They both have magical abilities, but they aren't detailed.

*Dropr* Goal There weren't any ultimate goal. You need to let the reader know what the main character ultimately wants. This will drive the story.

*Dropr* MotivationThis is in conjunction with Goal. Why do they want the goal? All through the story there is an underlying reason for the main character to keep going. Think of Wizard of Oz. What is Dorothy's goal? To get home WHY? She doesn't want to disappoint her Aunt and Uncle who love her.

*Dropr* Conflict You have a good conflict in a duel. However, it doesn't go anywhere. Somewhere in this first chapter, you need to have that moment where your main character is called to action. He knows he must use his gift to win a challenge
You need to have him deny or question the call. Then he decides to do it at any cost. This is all conflict.

*Dropr* The Plot I don't know the plot from this chapter

*Dropr* What I likedI like paranormal stories. I liked there are two magic's in the story.

*Dropr* My Suggestions Most "witches" are women. The male version of a witch is a Warlock. When your readers see witch they think female and then get confused when you tell them it's a man.
You don't have a true Point of View. Are you telling the story? Is your character telling the story? Decide and keep to that POV.
You might start by stating the goal. what does your main character want? To be a great Witch/Warlock? Why? He needs to say to protect his family from a rival family. When you tell the reader the goal and the why they begin to care for the character. As they endure conflict after conflict, the reader toots for them to win in the end.




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13
13
Review of Time Traveler  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hello QueenNormaJean maybesnow?! Author Icon

I am reviewing in the "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group, Ghostly Hallows Raid."

Overall Review: Hooked my interest and held it all the way to the end. I was disappointed at the end, it was too short

What is the goal or purpose? What a hook. Someone appeared in her car and said they were from the future. You kept the dialogue tight as you were writing for a contest with a word count limit. I would love for you to revisit this and expand the story.

Is there a motivation?Wouldn't any of us want to know what's in our future? It's an obvious question. If you choose to expand this, I suggest you word this with a little more intensity. "What's going to happen to me? What's going to happen to my family(husband, kids, mom,dad)? Whatever you include will give the reader a bit of background. What is she were on the way to visit her sick (fill in any of the above) and want to know their future? This is motivation.

What are the conflicts? Now you excelled here. You give us the setting which is a conflict. You tell us the car slid to a stop off the road. What if you have her sliding on the slick road and landing in a ditch or stuck in the mud of the shoulder? You have heavy rain and her stopped. What if she demands to know the future and needs help to get her out of the situation?

What I Liked: I just like the story. As you can tell I went off the deep end thinking how this would make a great scary Halloween story or even a tear jerker story....

What Needs Work: Nothing other than what I mentioned above. I hope you have another go at this story.


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14
14
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Hello Ned Author Icon

I am reviewing in the "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group, Ghostly Hallows Raid."

Overall Review: I was hooked at the beginning and it carried me through to the end. I like a good ghost story especially when I'm not quite sure how it's going to end.

What is the goal or purpose? Our hero must spend a full night in his aunt's house to recieve the in heiritance. Simple it seems but as a good writer knows, nothing can be that simple.

Is there a motivation? The money that will be his. He won't have to work for the rest of his life.

What are the conflicts? There seems to be just one. He says he doesn't believe in ghosts and the one there is determined to change that.

What I Liked: The pace of the story. It was a short story that could be extended. This story gave showed the reader hte character of the main character. His arrogance and assured attitude that a ghost won't scare him.

What Needs Work: I felt the ending fell flat. You lead the reader to expect him to not believe in ghosts. Yet when faced with a ghost he doesn't have much of a reaction. He taunts the ghost but she forces him to kiss her and he has no reaction. He feels he is pulled against his will, but he doesn't react. From the time she speaks there needs to be an escalation of conflict to the point he is forced to make a decision to run. Why would a man with this type of character give up money without a fight? I wanted more conflict between him and the Aunt.


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15
15
Review of The Dinner Party  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (3.5)
Hello Write-fully Loti Author Icon

I am reviewing in the "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group, Ghostly Hallows Raid."

Overall Review: This story had interesting characters and incidents that happened to the two woman who visit, uninvited to a dinner party.

What is the goal or purpose? At the beginning we find two friends on their way home. I liked that you gave them unique hair. Neither was grey. While their goal was home, that was sidelined by a fellow bus passenger.

Is there a motivation? I missed the why. Why would these women change their habit to go to a dinner they hadn't been invited to. While that is a question, this is a paranormal story. A reader might expect something supernatural.

What are the conflicts? There wasn't any conflict, but there were observations that cause one of the main characters to question her eyesight. There was an abrupt exit of the second character. What happened? Why did she leave? Good use of a conflict without having an argument.

What I Liked: It was a great story and far to short for me. I wanted more. It gave me a taste of three characters that pequed my interest.

What Needs Work: The use of was, were, went made reading this bumpy for me. I suggest you take the time to look over your writing and delete, rewrite and reword sentences that have those words in them. Only use when you can't use another sentence.


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16
16
Review of I, Data  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Group ~ Reviewing with River  Open in new Window.
Rated: 18+ | (3.5)
Hello {user: } I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.


what was the goal if the main character?
The goal of this story is lost on me. It was an interesting moment in time with no real purpose.

What motivates the main character?
I wonder what the author intends to happen. I have one specific assumption, of course. After all, although I am an android, my father, Dr. Noonian Soong—who should never be confused with Khan Noonien Singh, an entirely different character and one who will be forever remembered as among the gravest threats to the Federation (second only to the Romulans, in my opinion)—had created me to be fully functional and programmed in multiple techniques, a broad variety of pleasuring. I wonder if this is the motivation for this story. I'm not sure but it seemed plausible.

What conflicts occur
When the Dr gave him the directive to run when they get to the bedroom, he didn't run. There may have been a point he wanted the scene to continue.


My over all thoughts
I liked the story in itself. It didn't qualify or fit my format but it was interesting and well written.




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17
17
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Hello Chris24 Author IconMail Icon I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.


what was the goal if the main character?
To stay retired. That was basically it. He seems to be called out of hibernation which he resistists. I liked that he tells Zuria no but she pulls out a trump card

What motivates the main character?
This is pretty basic concept. The world is coming to an end and you are the only one that can save us. He still isn't motivated to help because he's lost what mattered to him.

What conflicts occur
There aren't any conflicts. I would have liked to see before Zuria shows up he is pressured and almost taken hostage to save them. But that isn't your story so he just has a conversation.

My over all thoughts
I liked your story. However some small things bothered me. Check your use of SO. This is something we say when we can't think of the right words.
Also the over use of THE. When you cut these words you have to rewrite the sentences and most times they are better.
Then the goal is repeated. To conserve word count it would have been nice to focus on what they want from him, his resistance and then up the game with the imminent annihilation and lastly the trump card, Maggie.




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18
18
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 18+ | (3.0)
Hello Mara ♣ McBain Author IconMail Icon I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.

I especially like the way you used these descriptions

A ratty plaid shirt and cut-offs had never looked so good. Maybe it was the long, tanned legs hanging out below. His brows lifted in recognition. So did parts south of the belt buckle. Any way you looked at it, she was a sight for sore eyes.

There weren’t too many men that would argue. When she’d left Montana for the runways of Milan, she hadn’t looked back. Her best friend, Evelyn, had been just as shellshocked as John. They’d ended up comforting one another all the way to the altar.

I like this bit of conversation

This could be so good for both of us, John. Marry me and get an infusion of cash so you can continue to protect the Yellowstone. Quit beating your head against a brick wall. Have someone in your corner. Someone to talk to and wrap around at night.”

My over all thoughts

Cyn leaned in, her lips playing over his in the barest caress. “Because I know you, John Dutton. Now, come on.”

Some of the weight lifted as he followed. Sometimes it felt good to be told what to do.


This is a good way to end the story.

Reviewed by Journey Through the Genres Judge
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19
19
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
Hello Steve Joos Author IconMail Icon I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.

what was the goal if the main character?
Charles sharing with his sister an incident that happened over Christmas. It was especially poignant to me since I loved the character of Charles Winchester III


What motivates the main character?
Charles loves his sister who stutters. She is someone who has had difficulties in life and he is especially close to her. He shares with her his deepest thoughts, failures and accomplishments. Reading this I can hear him speaking into his recorder.

What conflicts occur
Charles wants to feel appreciated. He doesn't quite know how to do it so looks around him for something he can part with. What does he have that any of these people would appreciate?
When he finally chooses the chocolates he is parting with something he feels is valuable to him and those around him. Though at Christmas there are chocolates and candy available. It's something that isn't costing him a great deal either in emotion, money or principle.

When he discovers what his gift was misappropriated he felt slighted.

My over all thoughts

I loved this story the best of them all. Not just because I could see this happening in the real series, but you opened a moment that brought back to me not only the over pompous Charles, but his inner insecurities. His brash actions of ripping the candy from Rizzo and confronting the director to spilling the whole day's events to Honoria (If I remember her name right)
Kudos on a great fan fiction


Reviewed by Journey Through the Genres Judge
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20
20
Review of Bond's Last Stand  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
Hello Odessa Molinari Author IconMail Icon I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.

what was the goal if the main character?
I liked this story about an older James Bond. You gave him a purpose to save himself.


What motivates the main character?
James' isn't so old that he can't defend himself. I liked that he still had some gadgets available. I wondered about him moving. Ms Joy had to put him to bed but he seemed to be able to get out of bed. I would have liked to have that addressed. Was his inability a fake just to get a face rub? (wink)


What conflicts occur
You gave the reader a great piece of action that I loved. He went out in a blaze of glory.


My over all thoughts

I enjoyed reading this piece. I read all of Ian Flemming's books as a teenager, and watched a few of the movies. You kept true to the concept and intention of the story.

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This is a Journey through the Genres Contest


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21
21
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Hi, Bryce Raffle Author Icon This is response to your request for a critique.


Overall Impression

I liked the premise of the story. I love a good ghost story. I loved the series Ghost Whisperer and Sixth Sense. The overall story is intriguing once I got to the bottom of the chapter.

Setting:
I didn't get an overall sense of the era or place at the beginning. The names are old and the references are old 1700-1800 England. Because most people are going to go that route, I'd suggest you give the reader a firm setting at the beginning. Show an object in the room or something that sets the time and place. Even if it's something like She struck the flint to light the candle.
It isn't until the end that we get there are horse and carts in Trafalgar Sq, England. Little clues inserted before helps the reader get a sense of the setting, not just bodies moving around on a blank screen.


Plot:
I like that you give the situation in the beginning. Not like Sixth Sense where we have to go through the movie wondering what was going on. You tell the reader up front this is going to be about solving a murder. Who the subject is and how the MC finds out about it.
I didn't get Evelyn's motivation. Why does she talk to dead people? I sighed. I was going to be late for work again.
With a wayward glance back at Pickwick’s break fast, I set off after the ghost. Why? here is a good place to insert a little thought. Instead of saying she couldn't scream at every ghost. How about something about her past experiences? Standing at the top of the stairs we stared at each other and and I sighed. There had been other's like her. I'd seen them since I was a child. they no longer scared me, but their appearance often surprised me. This wasn't the normal ghostly apparition but stood there in a full form. Then describe her appearance.



Characters:

I like Evelyn. She seems a woman with a purpose. Then you gave me a and odd reaction. She sobbed. This isn't the reaction I would attribute to Evelyn. She seemed to have a stronger constitution and this put me off. Having compassion is not the same as crying. After looking up and down the street where no one took notice of the girl I looked at her again. She was indeed a ghost. She didn't move when I approached the curb. Her eyes locked with mine and I felt her need. The one that called me to her. "What do you want? What happened to you?" I knew she couldn't talk, but I thought maybe we could converse in telepathy. I'd never done it before but it could be a first. You wrote Evelyn didn't expect an answer. Then why did she ask the question? Without any hand motion she turned her body and moved away. I looked at the sidewalk that now filled with the morning commuters. I had to get to work. She stood in the middle of the road. Her look of impatience moved me to turn and follow her. Cars and pedestrians passed through her and she didn't register their journey. then add the journey through the market. Here again I wasn't sure of the era. There are markets in places today, at this point of the story.

We have two characters and since this is the beginning chapter we don't need to know everything about them. I would leave all the back story with Mr. Pickwick until later since this is a dream sequence. In dreams the action moves the dream. I do go off on tangents in a dream but not like that. I'm a writer and details can distract me. I rarely get back on the same tract until the next night.
Here's another thing to think about. Who is your audience? Women I'm guessing for the most part. Then they want to know what she's wearing. Below I give a suggestion of where to start. If you do that, then when she's in her room, have her dress in what women would wear.
From my wardrobe I took my black work dress from its hook and gave it a good shake, hoping the wrinkles from its hanging overnight disappeared. Once on I button the front to the small white collar and tie the ribbon around the neck arranging the tails to lay flat, still showing under the collar points. The mirror reflected my brown hair pulled to a knot at the nape of my neck, the body of a (insert age) woman with a trim waist and slim hips hidden beneath the folds of the skirt. Giving a shake of my shoulders, lifting my chin and spinning on the heels of my boots, I headed to the stairs and the break fast I could smell wafting to my room. This is just a suggestion of how to show the reader who Evelyn is. A strong woman, not afraid of her dreams and still a bit unsure of the life ahead. She seems to want to face it head on.

Suggestions:
What I didn't care for was the detail in the dream sequence then having to do the same thing all over.
My suggestion is to start with her waking. Then having a bit of trouble remembering exact details of the dreams. Something about monkeys. She struggles to recreate that part as she dresses, looking into the mirror combing her hair, she might remember the girl's hair, her mouth sewn shut. She bares her teeth at the mirror. I'm glad my lips aren't sewn. When she goes down stairs she greets Mr. Pickwick. You don't need to explain their relationship at this time. other than to mention he is her surrogate father figure. I'd also wait until later to talk about the photo.

Then as she has the conversation with Mr. P she gets a sense of impatience. Thinking about the girl in the dream she steps onto the porch and there she is, just as she was in the dream. Then she follows her to the museum. When she sees the monkey in the palm the rest of the dream floods into her mind. She might reel from the memory and the details flood her mind. Now what? The dream gave no clues as to what happened. My question to you is why did she have a dream that gives no details but she sees a ghost. Suggestion. Leave the monkey out of the dream since there isn't any connection to the murder. If you want to have a clue in the dream give it an obscure place. See a hand putting it there. See her hand grasping it from someone or something that lends to the fact it's important to WHAT?
Here is where you can leave the reader with a hook to turn the page. She might remember there were two other monkeys. Where are they? What do the monkeys have to do with a dead girl? (turn the page to find out)

This way the reader isn't back tracking. The flow pulls the reader to follow the ghost to find what happened to her. The reader is on the same journey as Evelyn.

So remember when you do any rewriting. She gets a call to action (from her dream) She is curious. Then sees the object of her dream on the street the same as the dream. She might ignore it at first (from the top step) Refuse the call. Now is where to tell the reader her motivation. Why does she follow the girl? She Answers the call. She sees the scene and the clue of the monkey.

In conclusion:

I'm anxious to read on. I want to know how Evelyn interacts with the ghost and how you will present the clues of what happened to her. I hope I've given you something to look at as you move forward with this captivating story.

A super power image


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22
22
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.5)
Hello, I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.

what was the goal if the main character?
A wife has decided her husband needs a hair cut. She has cut his hair before and he seems comfortable with her ability.

What motivates the main character?
She doesn’t like his long hair and insists it’s causing him to sweat.

What conflicts occur First he doesn’t think he needs one. There is a difference in opinion and they have a discussion about it.
In the process her ability is in question. The result is a disappearance of an important piece.
When the inquisitive cat become involved it’s a disaster.

My over all thoughts
I liked the story. The fact the husband is totally unaware is too much of a stretch for me. I liked the way the story unfolds and it flows smoothly to the end




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23
23
Review of Seasons  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.5)
Hello cheryl losch Author IconMail Icon I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.




what was the goal if the main character?
The different seasons met to discuss their different times to cover the world.
You point out the obvious and it was easy to understand their particular expertise


What motivates the main character?
Each season voices their desire for more time. What I didn't get was a different voice or character development for each character.

What conflicts occur
YOu have lots of conflicts that occur in each season. Then Mother Nature shows up and voices her opinion and leaves. She seems all knowing.

My over all thoughts
I didn't get where the COMEDY came in. I missed what was funny about their decisions or conflicts. While I enjoyed the story I didn't smile or laugh.



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24
24
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
Hello {user: } I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.


what was the goal if the main character?
A couple meet and fall in love. You give the step by step movement for this young couple. We could follow their growing attraction as it formulates

What motivates the main character?
While at first it's the job that brought them together, you showed how they grew to respect each other and move to the goal of planting trees. It itsself is a motivating factor.

What conflicts occur
Everything is going smooth until the morning after, then it all falls apart. When the male opens his mouth, he put his foot in it and can't get it out no matter what he does to try and explain his choice of words.

My over all thoughts
I thought this was very funny. You followed the COMEDY prompt and my smile grew as he tried to get himself out of trouble. He pulled it off in the end. Great job.



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25
25
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.5)
Hello {user: } I am a judge for Journey Thru the Genres.



what was the goal if the main character?
We see two bumbling thieves trying to steal valuables from a mansion. You do a good job with setting up the goal. WE don't have any trouble figuring out what is probably going to happen.


What motivates the main character?
You also give a great job of telling the reader what Mort wants to do once he gets the money for what he steals. You give the reader a sense that this guy is basically a good hearted guy, but he doesn't have much morality.

What conflicts occur
YOu give one conflict after the other. You do a good job describing the conflicts so they are easy to follow.

My over all thoughts
While I liked the story, I thought the genre was wrong. It was more in the horror, scary, paranormal genre than COMEDY. I didn't get it as funny. I really liked what happened in the respect they got what they deserved.


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