Quote:
Originally Posted by
H Dean
First of all, I wish to say that your helpful comments were all considered for my first edit of this story. No comments were ignored and all were appreciated. Now, since you were all so helpful, willing and kind, I am posting my first edit of this tale.
I don't know when I will get to my next edit. I do prefer to let my stories sit a bit before the third edit - don't want it to be too fresh or I miss all sorts of crap. Now, here is the first edit of chapter 1...
Very nice changes. I, too, usually let my stories sit for awhile before editing. Rhabbi made some excellent suggestions. I'll just tackle a few that might be handled a bit differently. Then when you go back you can take what you like and ditch the rest.
Quote:
Chapter 1
Francis’ guests arrived at precisely six o’clock in the evening. Failure to do so would have been a breach of etiquette severely frowned upon by the members of this special fraternity. Each guest had dressed in proper evening attire, as if attending a ball. Francis greeted them in the main foyer. At his side stood a tall man, studious in appearance and dressed in the same fashion as the newly arrived guests. Few took particular note of the stranger, except to shake hands upon introduction.
“Friends,” Francis began, “It is my pleasure to welcome you into my home. I do hope you find this night as enjoyable as I believe you will. Please, follow me into my study. I’ve some artwork I think you may find quite stunning.”
The repetitive use of the word "will" is distracting.
Shortening the dialogue and using a bit more proper English could help the tone you want to set for Francis and his entourage.
Quote:
“How is this possible?” she asked. “Can she move?”
”I like to think she is frozen in place, Beatrice,” Francis explained. “Her role is to be forever a statue in service of monsters.”
or
"Her role is a statue in service of monsters, forever."
By moving the word "forever" to the end of the sentence, it adds more emphsasis that this lovely creature isn't going to escape.
Quote:
"Ah, this one...my most recent piece," Francis said, striding over to the man. "I had to have this adjusted somewhat. The spider webbing originally fed into her fingers, but that proved to be a bit problematic. It feeds into the back of her hands now. I'm rather partial to the change, it allows her fingers to move."
...
"Marvelous!" Beatrice [COLOR="yellow"]issued - this one made me laugh. I think exclaimed works better.[/COLOR]. "Such hideous beauty. Such sadistic pleasures you must find in this beauty."
...
Francis turned his gaze to the small desk at the far end of the room. Made of dark oak, it appeared well crafted and sturdy. From the center top of the desk, just beneath the desk’s top piece, could be seen the lower portions of a woman. Her bottom jutted out slightly and her feet spread wide disappearing into the desk's thick legs. Had one not known better, one would swear that she was carved from the same wood as the desk.
...
"Her mind is not what it once was. In fact, she has little recollection of the girl she was," Francis informed Beatrice. "Her only want in life is to be a pleasure toy. She has actually stated that she envies the other pieces I have here - wishes she were one of them."
"Interesting," the woman said.
“Ah, this is quite lovely as well,” said another guest.
Sometimes it's less distracting to use the word "said".
Quote:
Their immediate attention filled the room with sudden silence. Anticipatory, each guest awaited the words that were to follow.
...
Francis paused for a moment, enjoying the sudden tension. He cast his eyes from one guest to another, enjoying their wide-eyed attention. Finally, Beatrice rose from her seat, her eyes burning into Francis.
Perhaps one of the enjoying can be changed to savoring or another word.
---
Mr. Dean, I must agree with Tessa who wrote:
Quote:
This, Mr. Dean, is brilliant. The sadistic fervor, the abject fear, the incredible perversity of it all leap from the story and attack a mind. Well, it attacks my mind.
Yes, it does attack the mind. And it's wickedly delightful!
Thank you for sharing this masterpiece in progress.
Ruby
:rose: