Date: 26 May 2013 18:07 Title: Eight
Not sure where this is going, but I have feeling this is a setup for Scotty and Corry's first meeting. On a different it's cool you have underplayed the character's Scottish accents, it still sounds Scottish but without the exaggeration.
Date: 22 May 2013 00:16 Title: Eight
No that is your genius. The ability to pare things down. To make the reader work for it but you do so so that the reader seems to do it unconciously. It really is clever writing. And add to the smart style of contrasting ages of their lives you parallel the events in themes from pets to water. You make these guys bookends to one another and these contrast ficlets are little insights as how or why it is they may make for perfect bookends to one another. Hinge and bracket. What fits and what does not.
Author's Response: And I think you're still being too nice, but thank you. Honestly, I've got great characters. They do all the work, I just have to make it make sense on paper -- admittedly no easy feat with Scotty -- and if I manage that, I'm a happy camper.
Date: 21 May 2013 03:16 Title: Eight
You sure packed a lot about their respective natures into a wee bit. Scotty, wanting to ride alone - at a different time in his life he's surrounded by shipmates who admire and respect him, but he still manages to keep part of himself from them. There's always that private bit he keeps just to himself.
And Corry - even at this young age he's able to see what others miss. Able to look beyond the facade and see what's really underneath. You have such a beautiful way with these two men.
Author's Response: I've always sort of pondered that; he's alone in the group, and seems pretty good with that. Some of it I chalk up to age; he's got five years on the next closest, McCoy, and more like ten on Kirk. Doesn't seem like much, but sometimes it really can be. And aye. It takes Cor awhile to learn how to use it, but he eventually does to great effect. Thanks for the comment!
Date: 20 May 2013 22:48 Title: Eight
Terrific writing. Always tightly condensed and to the core of thigns even if it seems frivilous in nature - of admiring ponies in the pasture or crabs in the rock pools. It tells something of their respective natures. And somehow I rather imagine "I know, you have to pretend to be a pebble, but I see you," as almost Andy speaking to Scotty.
Author's Response: 'And somehow I rather imagine "I know, you have to pretend to be a pebble, but I see you," as almost Andy speaking to Scotty'. And you now win the prize. Very good! Admittedly, not yet, but it's definitely an echo of what Andy uses and sees down the road. Thanks so much!
Date: 20 May 2013 02:37 Title: Eight
Still lovely on re-read
Author's Response: Thanks. <3
Date: 19 May 2013 18:34 Title: Eight
Nice! Scotty gets a taste of big boy freedom, and Corry shows his insight and compassion and love for the shore from an early age. Much as I liked Scotty's part of this piece, Corry's provided a tremendous amount of character exposition in a very small space.
Author's Response: Thank you! He definitely made me melt while I was writing it.
Date: 19 May 2013 18:18 Title: Eight
"I know, you have to pretend to be a pebble."
Lovely, perfect line.
Author's Response: Thank you! That one really came together.
Date: 19 May 2013 07:58 Title: Eight
Awww. I believe the word is "Adorable." Seriously, I can imagine wee little Scotty just lighting up as he petted that horse.
And Corry with the crab, perhaps more telling than anything. The sweet, caring nature that he would display later in life and even his sciefitic curiosity are all here in their beginning stages.
They were great kids I think.
Well done, Steff.
Author's Response: "And Corry with the crab, perhaps more telling than anything." You are very observant and I love you for it, thank you.