Finding the Fossil - A Writer's First Attempt

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jennabunnykins

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Aug 7, 2017
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Hi All (hopefully Stephen King included),

I am writing this in response to the assignment Mr. King provides us in "On Writing." Given its been nearly two decades since this request was first published, the likelihood of it crossing Mr. King's path is highly improbable, however, I would be happy if any one perusing these messages boards had any feedback.

Keep in mind this is my first real foray into writing (I am choosing to exclude the youthful and misguided fanfiction I wrote in high school many years ago) so be gentle on my delicate ego :p

Here is the link to the short story (based on the forum rules, I do not believe we are able to directly post the composition) :

http://bit.ly/2hDu6eE

Thanks!
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
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Just north of Duma Key
Hi All (hopefully Stephen King included),

I am writing this in response to the assignment Mr. King provides us in "On Writing." Given its been nearly two decades since this request was first published, the likelihood of it crossing Mr. King's path is highly improbable, however, I would be happy if any one perusing these messages boards had any feedback.

Keep in mind this is my first real foray into writing (I am choosing to exclude the youthful and misguided fanfiction I wrote in high school many years ago) so be gentle on my delicate ego :p

Here is the link to the short story (based on the forum rules, I do not believe we are able to directly post the composition) :

http://bit.ly/2hDu6eE

Thanks!
Hi and welcome.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
1229973.jpg
 

Neesy

#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
May 24, 2012
61,289
239,271
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Hi All (hopefully Stephen King included),

I am writing this in response to the assignment Mr. King provides us in "On Writing." Given its been nearly two decades since this request was first published, the likelihood of it crossing Mr. King's path is highly improbable, however, I would be happy if any one perusing these messages boards had any feedback.

Keep in mind this is my first real foray into writing (I am choosing to exclude the youthful and misguided fanfiction I wrote in high school many years ago) so be gentle on my delicate ego :p

Here is the link to the short story (based on the forum rules, I do not believe we are able to directly post the composition) :

http://bit.ly/2hDu6eE

Thanks!
Welcome - you lost me a bit when you used the word "tendu"

I had to go look it up.

I don't want to be critical, but perhaps use less adverbs? e.g. the phone sat "unassumingly", especially when you had already used "unassuming" in the previous paragraph?

otherwise, what SHEEMIEE said above - Welcome!
 
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jennabunnykins

New Member
Aug 7, 2017
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Welcome - you lost me a bit when you used the word "tendu"

I had to go look it up.

I don't want to be critical, but perhaps use less adverbs? e.g. the phone sat "unassumingly", especially when you had already used "unassuming" in the previous paragraph?

otherwise, what SHEEMIEE said above - Welcome!

The road to hell is paved in adverbs, as Mr King so wisely put it! Appreciate the feedback :)

I was discussing with a dancer friend some typical ballet postures.. Potentially if this were a story I fleshed out more, I would have used this device as a subtle nod to this characters ballet history-- but I can certainly appreciate it not being common vernacular. I'm not a huge fan of needing a dictionary to get through a novel, so I'll certainly take the audience and this note into future consideration :)

Thanks so much!! I really appreciate it!
 
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Son of Dustoff

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Sep 9, 2017
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I like interesting names and "Richa" certainly evokes several meanings, but I have never personally heard anyone called by that name. Sure, she could think she is "Richa than you" or it could be pronounced "Rick ah" what I would call an ambidextrous name, (what I mean to say is gender neutral) being that she is a woman and has perhaps the aggressive nature of of a man. (Not to imply that women cannot be fierce, because they can be). What I mean to say is that the name distracted me a bit.
 
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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
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I like interesting names and "Richa" certainly evokes several meanings, but I have never personally heard anyone called by that name. Sure, she could think she is "Richa than you" or it could be pronounced "Rick ah" what I would call an ambidextrous name, (what I mean to say is gender neutral) being that she is a woman and has perhaps the aggressive nature of of a man. (Not to imply that women cannot be fierce, because they can be). What I mean to say is that the name distracted me a bit.
Welcome!
 
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GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
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Cambridge, Ohio
I like interesting names and "Richa" certainly evokes several meanings, but I have never personally heard anyone called by that name. Sure, she could think she is "Richa than you" or it could be pronounced "Rick ah" what I would call an ambidextrous name, (what I mean to say is gender neutral) being that she is a woman and has perhaps the aggressive nature of of a man. (Not to imply that women cannot be fierce, because they can be). What I mean to say is that the name distracted me a bit.
....welcome!....and not to sound like a jackazz-but what the sam hill are ya talkn' about?.....I'm not following the connection....
 

jennabunnykins

New Member
Aug 7, 2017
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I like interesting names and "Richa" certainly evokes several meanings, but I have never personally heard anyone called by that name. Sure, she could think she is "Richa than you" or it could be pronounced "Rick ah" what I would call an ambidextrous name, (what I mean to say is gender neutral) being that she is a woman and has perhaps the aggressive nature of of a man. (Not to imply that women cannot be fierce, because they can be). What I mean to say is that the name distracted me a bit.

I've never heard the name myself, I believe the pronunciation is closer to "Ree-shaw." When I did my preliminary searching, I wanted something that maintained a semblance of King's suggestion (Dick, shorthand for Richard) and based on what I found, Richa is a feminine name, typically of Hindi origin and it just kinda stuck. Jay for Jane was a little more straightforward.

I can appreciate it being unusual, I also recall a time when no one knew how to pronounce Hermione (those dark, pre-Potter days ;))

Thanks for reading and taking the time to read and post your comments!
 
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Dana Jean

Dirty Pirate Hooker, The Return
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
53,634
236,697
The High Seas
I've never heard the name myself, I believe the pronunciation is closer to "Ree-shaw." When I did my preliminary searching, I wanted something that maintained a semblance of King's suggestion (Dick, shorthand for Richard) and based on what I found, Richa is a feminine name, typically of Hindi origin and it just kinda stuck. Jay for Jane was a little more straightforward.

I can appreciate it being unusual, I also recall a time when no one knew how to pronounce Hermione (those dark, pre-Potter days ;))

Thanks for reading and taking the time to read and post your comments!
I love your avatar pic. Tell me about it, please.
 
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jennabunnykins

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Aug 7, 2017
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I love your avatar pic. Tell me about it, please.

Haha I'd love to!!

It's one of the many brilliant shots by photographer Miles Aldridge! He is of British origin and mostly does fashion photography--I'd highly recommend a Google search if you have the time! Some of the images are so striking, it's hard not to get pulled in and find at least half a dozen shots to fall in love with :love: