A bit of the ol' ultra-violence
Wow, this is a tough piece to comment on. To be frank, I didn't like it, but your point may have been to write something that was very unlikeable. I felt sympathy for the dog, of course, as anyone would. It was a horrible death. But beyond the description of Sammy's tortuous last moments on earth, which were written fairly well, I'm having trouble finding much more here. I don't think there's any illumination. Reading it felt a bit like I imagine watching a cockfight would feel.
And I'm not sure that an 8 year old boy would have the understanding to euthanize the dog (to put it kindly). I'm assuming he did this as a humane gesture, to put it out of its misery? But why had he been laughing after discovering the impaled animal?
I'm just not sure what you were going for here. It was competently written, just a little cold-blooded.
Other Reviews by dgburton
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This is a beautifully written, tender story about how so much can unfold in just a few moments. Your prose is the strength of the piece, very sensual and descriptive, and it's easy to imagine and dream on such a sanctuary as you've created and shared here. The thoughts of the lovers, though possibly fleeting, are bound up with such universal and timeless emotion that it would...
This is a beautifully written, tender story about how so much can unfold in just a few moments. Your prose is the strength of the piece, very sensual and descriptive, and it's easy to imagine and dream on such a sanctuary as you've created and shared here. The thoughts of the lovers, though possibly fleeting, are bound up with such universal and timeless emotion that it would be impossible not to strike a chord in the reader.
The only think I might suggest working on is the dialogue. While such complex and precisely-worded thoughts bloom as prose, as dialogue they come across as stilted and a little unbelievable. I've never heard anyone talk like that, and if they did it would sound melodramatic, as if they walked out of a Harlequin romance, rather than truly trying to express themselves (a lot of the power of conversation can often be read in subtext, which is somewhat overpowered here.)
In any case, you're a very skilled writer and this is a nice, dreamy piece of work. Thanks for sharing it.
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This was quite a funny piece. You set the tone early with the light-bulb gag, and it really was a fun ride. I would think this would make a good sample piece if you were interested in writing a humor column for your local newspaper ala Dave Barry. (Do newspapers even exist anymore?)
Anyway, I quite enjoyed it and you have some terrific lines. I would have liked to see the...
This was quite a funny piece. You set the tone early with the light-bulb gag, and it really was a fun ride. I would think this would make a good sample piece if you were interested in writing a humor column for your local newspaper ala Dave Barry. (Do newspapers even exist anymore?)
Anyway, I quite enjoyed it and you have some terrific lines. I would have liked to see the decision to get the tattoo drawn out a little more (with each drink pushing you closer to the moment), and I don't think you ever mention what exactly the tattoo is, so we have to use our imagination. I just keep imagining that it's of She-Ra's face tattooed over your face, and how off-putting that must have been for your family.
Anyways, thanks for the laughs, and have a think about the column...
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I thought this was an interesting premise for a story. The narrator a little like Travis Bickle from "Taxi Driver" but even more demented and driven. I think an opportunity was missed with the victim though. I would have liked to actually here a story, as requested, rather than the begging and pleading that followed. What kind of story would the victim have told? It could have...
I thought this was an interesting premise for a story. The narrator a little like Travis Bickle from "Taxi Driver" but even more demented and driven. I think an opportunity was missed with the victim though. I would have liked to actually here a story, as requested, rather than the begging and pleading that followed. What kind of story would the victim have told? It could have spoke volumes about his character, and by proxy the character of the narrator, who has chosen his victims purposefully.
A very nice twist at the end too. It's a frightening thought that someone we trust and enable to protect us from darkness may in fact be psychotic. If I had any recommendations, it would be to draw the story out longer, and develop it more. I feel like you're just touching the surface of a very intriguing idea. Nice job.
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