W.E. Linde

A review of Rumors of Exigence

by W.E. Linde on 02/14/2011

I see that this story has been out a while, so I imagine that you’ve heard about everything you need to for this intriguing short story. First of all, your character development, and the internal struggles of both our main character and his wife are expertly developed and presented to the reader. I found the suffering of Grand pa here, along with all the baggage we get... read

An exceptional work of imagination and story telling

A review of Dr. Tower's Babel

by W.E. Linde on 02/09/2011

I have to admit, I’ve just felt the first pangs of professional envy. Dr. Towers’ Babel is a wondrously told tale that blends science fiction, mystery, and religion in a way that is not only entertaining, it’s mesmerizing. The story is original, and the structure is well done in that the reader is drawn into a convincing and utterly believable world where science is pushed... read

Strong story, intriguing plot

A review of THE RAMBLINGS OF AN ODD MAN

by W.E. Linde on 02/08/2011

I didn’t know what to expect with this story. In all honesty, after the introduction of a hard nosed detective at the outset, I was concerned that I was in for 15 pages of clichés. That concern evaporated quickly once “Quincy” was introduced. There were two really notable strengths to your story that stood out to me. First was the way the story effortlessly evolved from... read

Good, solid science fiction

A review of The Sown (rev)

by W.E. Linde on 02/07/2011

For science fiction to work, an author has to create a world that the reader is willing to accept. It doesn’t have to be plausible or even remotely “realistic”, but it has to feel legitimate within the context of the story. It really is the first test of a good science fiction story, and you’ve done this very well. The description of the stasis chamber, the reanimation, and... For science fiction to work, an author has to create a world that the reader is willing to accept. It doesn’t have to be plausible or even remotely “realistic”, but it has to feel legitimate within the context of the story. It really is the first test of a good science fiction story, and you’ve done this very well. The description of the stasis chamber, the reanimation, and the detailed description of the ship gave the story the perfect setting to launch the reader into this science fiction nightmare.

A major strength of The Sown was the sense of isolation and accompanying dread that would come from the realization that there may also be danger. You created tension right out the gate with Gentry’s violent dream, and then proceed to guide the reader through the ship and into an increasing tension. The gradual revelations that lead us to the macabre ending are well timed, and done with originality. COP’s statement of “No, sir, you are not alone” was chilling. So well done on both the sci-fi and horror fronts.

And by the way, I really liked the expression on page 4 “submerged inside his own manufactured death.” Very deep and sci-fi.

There are a few minor areas that I think the story can be improved upon. There are a couple of instances where references were perhaps a little too abstract. On page 3, for instance, the sentence reads “Soon, at least physically, he had returned to life like an automaton gaining animation.” I’m not sure that this has a clear meaning. Also there are a number of sentences that read a little choppy (e.g. pg 14 “He groaned. Had to find out.”). This is may have been intentional, to demonstrate a mind not thinking as coherently as it should, but it seemed to stand out to me.

The last thought is on a specific line. On pg 17 the statement is made: “Gentry’s mind was beginning to lose its judgment.” I think considering the tension you’ve been building throughout the story, this would be better left unsaid. You’re demonstrating it quite effectively without the narration telling us, and I think it served to water down that tension a bit.

As this is the first sci-fi story I’ve read in a long time, I really appreciate being reintroduced with as an enjoyable story as this. Nice work. read

Guilt and redemption, and ghosts

A review of Rivers

by W.E. Linde on 02/03/2011

At first, I thought that I was being clever because there are a few turns in the story that appeared predictable. I figured out early that the girl was probably deceased. But the reason for it, and the tremendous guilt associated with the protagonist, I had all wrong. I believe the author probably planned the story this way. By picking up on clues in the beginning, I expected... At first, I thought that I was being clever because there are a few turns in the story that appeared predictable. I figured out early that the girl was probably deceased. But the reason for it, and the tremendous guilt associated with the protagonist, I had all wrong. I believe the author probably planned the story this way. By picking up on clues in the beginning, I expected one thing, and then was surprised with the ultimate resolution.

Strengths: Structure. The story gives some pretty big hints that the world that the protagonist is driving in isn’t exactly real. But the actually setting isn’t really revealed until the very end, and I found the revelation was done in a very satisfying way.

The story has some truly heart rending scenes. The author very effectively, and at the right time, reveals to the readers what is driving the main character to seek his daughter’s forgiveness. The description of the accident scene was very well done, and very moving.

Areas for improvement. Although I found the story structure quite strong, there were a number of areas where the narration perspective shifts back and forth. For example, at the end of page 7 we see the father’s perspective, which is by far the most prevalent in the story, but next on page 8 we see a sudden shift to the daughter’s perspective (“She was trying hard to be strong, for him, but a certain firmness was needed now”). The power behind most of this story is how we’re given greater insights into the father’s trials, and I think it would be better if the story stuck with that perspective.

Other than that, there were a small number of small technical points:

P3 “he ignored a section of the roadside scattered with pa grove of elm
trees,” I think “palm” is meant here.

p5 “despite his hands tightly intertwined to prevent it,” this was a little awkward reading

p7 “His daughter’s friends were now shouting for her to come along without
haste, a rising urgency in their collective appeal.” I think this was to be “with haste”

I enjoyed this a lot. A really good read. read

What a wild ride

A review of The King of Rowdy Creek

by W.E. Linde on 02/01/2011

I felt like I was in the middle of a Tarantino flick (a good one). The author starts out in the middle of a chaotic situation, and never stops. Strengths: the author effectively places the story in the middle of a larger story that we never get to see, but we know it is there. That’s always a real challenge for the short story, and the author does this quite effectively... read

Exceptional story telling

A review of The Car and Candice

by W.E. Linde on 02/01/2011

The Car and Candice introduces us to some of the best character-driven story telling that I’ve read in quite a while. With only an aging limo driving amidst the backdrop of California wildfires, the story advances smoothly on the power of Max and Candice and their brief encounter. The structure is flawless, and the dialogue believable and interesting. There are only two... read

Thoughtful and action packed

A review of Harmony

by W.E. Linde on 01/31/2011

Harmony is an ambitious and action packed story that confronts some deeply emotional and religious issues. On many levels, this story delivers: the author expertly paints a realistic setting that, if you’ve ever been to Afghanistan (I have), effectively summons the memories of that place. The characters are realistic and relatable. Strengths: Our protagonist. The author... Harmony is an ambitious and action packed story that confronts some deeply emotional and religious issues. On many levels, this story delivers: the author expertly paints a realistic setting that, if you’ve ever been to Afghanistan (I have), effectively summons the memories of that place. The characters are realistic and relatable.

Strengths:
Our protagonist. The author creates a tormented character who is interesting and clearly being set up for some traumatic conflict. His struggle is understandable, at least for me, and I think his struggles are entirely realistic. This is a character that the reader wants to follow to the end of the story.

Plot: Although a dramatization to be sure, and to a degree predictable, I couldn’t help but dread every turn that brought David closer to his soon to be captors. With the haunting memory of the video burned into his mind, it was with a sickening feeling that the reader becomes resigned to the struggle that unfolds.

Weakness: There are two key pieces of this that I felt were not thoroughly convincing. The first is the rational conversion of the primary antagonist. Perhaps it was the abbreviated nature of the short story, but it’s difficult to believe that a religious zealot would so thoroughly change perspectives in such radical fashion. There may be the need to demonstrate David’s victory differently in order to keep the gritty realism that the majority of the story boasts.

Second is the conflict between religions. Now, don’t get me wrong. I think this element of the story is both promising and tantalizing. But the first time we hear of David being a Christian is on p33. He draws most of his strength from the words of his boss, not his God. If the story was to be a last minute conversion, I think more needs to go into demonstrating this. If David had some anchor in his faith, then that wasn’t explained at all.

Finally, a couple of very minor technical points:
P8 “She squealed out putting her coffee mug down.” Reads awkwardly.

33 “Not holly.” An extra “L”…

This is a well crafted story that speaks especially to those who have considered the nature of extremism. Entertaining and engrossing. Good job, nick74. read

Mobsters in the rough

A review of Henry's Ds #5 Lets Get Bombed

by W.E. Linde on 01/30/2011

I felt that this story was a rough draft, that it was more of a concept on paper than a completed short story. Strengths: the story is refined enough to indicate that the author has a complete tale to tell, and there is a certain energy behind the flow. The specific references to various technical details (aircraft, explosives) indicate the author has familiarity with,... read

Excellent story, brilliant storytelling

A review of The Sound of the Night

by W.E. Linde on 01/26/2011

This is one of the strongest short stories I’ve read so far. The story was heartfelt, the characters relatable, and the storytelling captivating. In all honesty this type of writing isn’t of much interest to me, but I really enjoyed this. Strengths: the atmosphere. The author does an amazing job of presenting a night in the life of a budding sax player. I was pulled in... read

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Submissions by W.E. Linde

Reviews by W.E. Linde 18

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Submissions by W.E. Linde

Reviews by W.E. Linde 18

Comments About W.E. Linde 8

nick74 on 02/10/2011

nick74 on 02/07/2011

nick74 on 02/07/2011

YeahHi on 02/02/2011

nick74 on 02/01/2011

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