Comment by rone welles on 10/16/09
Well the concept is good. not much story but a good beginning .. you show a talent that with time could be very good and a good author has to start somewhere ... thank you for showing us your talents.keep up the good work and soon you will be on top ... peace Rone Welles
Comment by Jill on 11/01/02
Once again a very compelling story.
However, this reads more like an outline than a story. Someone once said to me a story should be like an animal that walks around its food sniffing, checking the air for danger, prodding the food with interest, alertly listening for other animals that might challenge for the food and finally taken a tentative sampling before actually eating.
Your story lacked many of the things needed to sell the concept to the reader, character development, plausible setting, background, theme, connect/disconnected, etc. You're asking the reader to suspend their disbelief. They will make that contract with you if you bow to their demands.
On fictionmania.com they call a story like you have posted a drabble. It is an art onto itself.
You have the soul of a writer, that is clearly evident. It's obvious you want to tell stories and are rushing to do just that.
Readers are lazy and finicky. We like a certain amount of our work done for us through conventional stylization. We want our writers to be great visionaries AND trudging mechanics.
You must decide... do I want to share my ideas with others?... how many others?... Am I willing to adapt my style to what others are willing to read?
I write mainly for myself. I fit the crossdresser stereotype of being self-centered. Yet, my need for acceptance outweighs my narcicisstic tendencies of demanding others adapt to my peccadilloes. (One of which is I love words derived from latin.)
I crave readers who will say... yep, that's the way it is... un huh, your story moved me.
When that happens, I'm overjoyed.
Try paring down your plot. As a suggestion consider this storyline...
Two young men are struggling with their gender identity. Throughout their youth they've repeatedly suffered through self-doubt as they seem to have very unmanly thoughts. They have both been accused by parents, playmates, teachers, etc. of being sissies. Most are well-intended criticisms as we all want boys to grow up to be stout-hearted men (don't we?). Both find they have a moral obligation to fight for their country. Both find their desire to crossdress/become a woman has nothing to do with their degree of bravery. Both distinguish themselves in battle and in life with honorable actions. Both reach a point where they are at peace with their desires. Both are killed and reborn as baby girls. Throughout their lives what they wanted more than anything else was one person that truly understood who they were... a best friend. As the babies lie next to each other in the hospital they look toward the neighboring bassinette and lock onto each other's eyes. They've found their soulmate.
From the pictures you sent... your eyes say you have this story in you.
To tell this story with a degree of satisfaction for the reader could take 20,000 to 30,000 words.
Imagine the fun involved in creating interesting multi-dimensional characters, moving them through traumatic incidents after that reveals things to them (and us), things that are essential for them to reach a defining moment... things that allow the reader to believe they deserved to be reborn as girls... to correct an error by nature.
Makes me want to leap to my computer... as I'm already here, I guess I don't need to leap. And, neither do you. You've already decided to be a storyteller. You've already taken a bigger leap than most by publicly posting your attempts. Your leaping is done... just run with it.
Much love to you
Jill
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