leonard267 Posts
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
I demand that your story become a writing event entry! It is something to do with fairy tales and it elicited feelings of disgust, as intended!
I am left wondering why that old madman embarked on a massacre and who were his accomplices though. Not central to the plot but my curiosity is piqued.
I did not quite understand what the old fart meant by "I live to give." Can you enlighten me?
I am left wondering why that old madman embarked on a massacre and who were his accomplices though. Not central to the plot but my curiosity is piqued.
I did not quite understand what the old fart meant by "I live to give." Can you enlighten me?
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I have so much more to talk about my entry, especially what inspired me to parody xnine's characters in that way. I was wondering if you felt the same for yours. I will post a question on your thread soon.
I will check those out and wait to hear what you have to say about your inspiration.
I will reproduce my remarks to xnine. I will say again that it was inspired from his entry and I thought that this is how I would have his characters behave. It is made in another ending that I have written for this story but I think it still applies:
In this story, it is impossible for Elizabeth to marry David due to the many prejudices inherent in the society and culture of which they belonged to, a point I think you grasped. In fact I was entertaining the idea that David's family wanted to kill off Elizabeth by demanding that she fight an impossible battle before they could consider having her as a member of their clan as I wrote this.
I intended to make this story anticlimactic by deviating from how most people would react in such a situation. I think most writers would have David become angry and bitter with his family for laying those dreadful conditions in front of Elizabeth. Elizabeth might have made some protest or suggested eloping with David.
What happened instead was quite the opposite; they accepted those conditions rather stoically. I envisioned them as people from a bygone age who are more concerned about duty and responsibility rather than their wants and desires. They accepted the demands imposed on them by their traditions and culture. You could say that these are what I expect from proper heroes and heroines.
I thought Elizabeth went down fighting more because of love of others and a sense of duty. I didn't make it obvious but Elizabeth's family must be filthy rich and powerful after the end of that war thanks to her dying (in this case, permanently injured) at the battlefield! I believe she thought that whether she survived the battle or otherwise, the people she loved would stand to benefit.
I made Elizabeth ugly and vulgar, I made her fight for the love of her life when what other writers of romance would do is make Elizabeth dazzlingly beautiful and refined, and have David be the lowly peasant that braved death in order to marry the princess Elizabeth. My attempt at playing the contrarian once more. I wrote Elizabeth thinking that she is a model woman that I would want to be with.
It is also a love letter how I admire the virtues of those at the bottom rungs of a hierarchical society as well as how I admire the virtues of those at the top. As for those in between, I would reserve pillorying them somewhere else, probably in a satirical fashion.
And again, it is my attempt in writing a proper romance story. Not the shallow harlequin romance where it seems that real world considerations do not matter and the couples are isolated from the rest of the universe. (They do not)
It's not that I dislike it. What I don't like is the extent to which you used it in your story. You have what amounts to 10+ pages of third person narration with no breaks from it.
Second_Prototype wrote...
BUT reading this thing feels like squeezing bricks into my eye sockets. It reads more like a lore dump in a game rule book than an actual story.
I believe what you meant by breaks is the complete absence dialogue in this entry, yes? Contrary to one of my posts in the Cesspit, I do enjoy documentaries and listening to someone drone on and on about a subject. I also enjoy reading the Lord of the Rings Appendices and Prologues. All of them lack dialogue and they are mainly exposition, exposition and more exposition. This is where I draw my inspiration in this writing style.
Second_Prototype's remark that it reads like a lore book is therefore very much intentional. This is precisely what I was going for, a third person narration of a story. I refrain from using dialogue because not only are they harder to write, I am not very fond of reading dialogue.
Second_Prototype wrote...
Also I'm not sure how this story fits with the theme of fairy tales. Granted how well a story fits the event's themes is open to interpretation but I'm really not seeing where I can draw the connection.
A commoner marries a noble, the stuff of fairy tales and it is quite laughable a notion really. I am suggesting that this fairy tale ending of the peasant marrying the prince was a result of a tortuous and bloody chain of events. Give it a more realistic spin.
high_time wrote...
a decently written narrative so to speak. though by the next attempt, I reckon you could do much better, especially if you tried to made it much pleasurable to read by adding your own peculiar comedic touch I thoroughly enjoyed.
No, no high. This story is simply not to your taste, it is not supposed to be humorous and it is supposed to be a parody of xnine's entry which we do not really take to! I don't think it is to anyone's taste except for mine! I don't think there will be a next time though.
It does address my pet peeve when reading someone's story. Who are the characters? What are their motivations? Is it clear?
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
Spoiler:
In this story, it is impossible for Elizabeth to marry David due to the many prejudices inherent in the society and culture of which they belonged to, a point I think you grasped. In fact I was entertaining the idea that David's family wanted to kill off Elizabeth by demanding that she fight an impossible battle before they could consider having her as a member of their clan as I wrote this.
I intended to make this story anticlimactic by deviating from how most people would react in such a situation. I think most writers would have David become angry and bitter with his family for laying those dreadful conditions in front of Elizabeth. Elizabeth might have made some protest or suggested eloping with David.
What happened instead was quite the opposite; they accepted those conditions rather stoically. I envisioned them as people from a bygone age who are more concerned about duty and responsibility rather than their wants and desires. They accepted the demands imposed on them by their traditions and culture. You could say that these are what I expect from proper heroes and heroines.
I thought Elizabeth went down fighting more because of love of others and a sense of duty. I didn't make it obvious but Elizabeth's family must be filthy rich and powerful after the end of that war thanks to her dying at the battlefield! I believe she thought that whether she survived the battle or otherwise, the people she loved would stand to benefit.
I made Elizabeth ugly and vulgar, I made her fight for the love of her life when what other writers of romance would do is make Elizabeth dazzlingly beautiful and refined, and have David be the lowly peasant that braved death in order to marry the princess Elizabeth. My attempt at playing the contrarian once more. I wrote Elizabeth thinking that she is a model woman that I would marry.
It is also a love letter how I admire the virtues of those at the bottom rungs of a hierarchical society as well as how I admire the virtues of those at the top. As for those in between, I would reserve pillorying them somewhere else, probably in a satirical fashion.
As for this quote,
While I'm assuming this is a rare treat, I hope to see this side of your writing more often!
Can I apologise in advance?
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
Sorry for the late reply. I will take note of the cartoon you have recommended me.
I would like to ask what inspired you to write this story.
And what on earth did our female lead utter in the end?!
I would like to ask what inspired you to write this story.
And what on earth did our female lead utter in the end?!
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I'm referring to the fact that your story is all monologue. Yes, the plot advances. We're discovering all the stuff about David's past and why he is going to the Ruined City, but I just don't like how it's all monologue.
I see. Your dislike for third person narration mirrors my reservations for reading or using dialogue as a means of exposition. As I have implied many times when commenting about how I feel about what you write, I find it hard to appreciate your attempts in explaining the plot through dialogue. This is not really because I don't like exchanges in dialogue but rather because I find dialogues hard to decipher. In contrast, the parts of your entry that I liked were the first person explanations, an example being why our hero decided to give in to the villain's demands, delivered in a monologue.
I won't call my parody of xnine's work a monologue. Monologues I believe are characterised with the main character talking to himself, i.e. first person. This is more of a standard third person narration that really resembles a report of events, my preference of reading material.
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I don't get what everyone's obsession is with time. To know the order in which a story's events happen can certainly put things in perspective, but I'm of the opinion that they don't have to be told in chronological order to be told well. We have characters that need to be explored and problems that need to be solved. Those two aspects of storytelling are the crux that should be focused on.
Time is not really an obsession for my case but rather a practical concern. I am brought up to think that writing is a form of communication. If an instruction manual begins with Step 8, continues with Step 5, lists the rest of the steps and expects the reader to figure out the correct order, I would think that the instruction manual communicated information poorly. Same with a police report. Events are best explained chronologically to facilitate comprehension. We have a sense of time in which we could put events and characters into context. If one has difficulty deciphering content then it is impossible to sympathise with the characters and the plot. Writing chronologically does help to orientate me.
I hope it is alright if you can confirm my suspicions that you and the Winter Contest judges view reading and / or writing like figuring out a puzzle. As for me, when faced with any written material, I would expect the written material to convey information instead of presenting itself as a piece of art that can be interpreted in so many ways. This is what someone who communicates well least want to happen. Again, taste in reading.
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
That reminds me of a line from one of the Sherlock Holmes stories about how the most ordinary of cases can be the most interesting and hardest to solve.
I am definitely obsessed with reality. I love history as much as current affairs which I see as an extension of history. This is why I don't think I could write fiction properly because there will be a niggling thought in my mind telling me to associate fictional material more with the real world i.e. non fiction!
I really have to ask, what did you mean by 'the feeling is neutral'?
I have so much more to talk about my entry, especially what inspired me to parody xnine's characters in that way. I was wondering if you felt the same for yours. I will post a question on your thread soon.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
Lovely profile picture. Spitting image of the mental image of myself! Worn out and in a trance.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I wasn't necessarily saying that it's like an action scene. I was simply trying to say that it's very possible to have too much of a good thing. You have too much monologue of a guy recounting past events, its going to get boring after a while. If you have too many explosions, guns and too much slaughter, it's going to get boring after a while.
I am not quite sure what you are referring to now. Are you referring to the theme or the setting of the story being the same throughout the entire story or are you suggesting that the plot does not move? (I thought you are talking about the plot. I am quite sure that there were a lot of things that moved the plot of this story)
I would not mind that the whole story is told in a narrative or monologue provided that plot advances. If the entire story is a monologue or if the entire story is set in war, I would not mind it if something happens. I am reminded one contest entry that everyone except for me liked which involved spending 99 percent of the words on one huge action scene only for the reader to find out that they are fighting over a skin of water. This I thought was an example of something not happening.
The feeling is neutral.
Not 'the feeling is mutual'?
I also read a lot fantasy, and I just happen to tend to like things that have more complicated structures. I mentioned Baccano!
I see. Thank you for the recommendation. The anachronological cartoon that I enjoyed is Suzumiya Haruhi. I feel like stoning some twins after watching Yosuga no Sora. Even then, I had to make out how the episodes play out chronologically before I could appreciate them. Not confident that it can be done properly in writing.
The only fantasy stories that I've properly read is the Lord of the Rings and in the Hall of the Dragon King. Loved the Lord of the Rings for its almost non-fictional monologue and appendices. Not so much for the time skips where Book Six begins from where Book Four left off and Book Five begins where Book Three left off.
I feel that reality is much more fascinating than fantasy so I read up on current affairs instead.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
9. Parody of xninebreaker's Entry: Out Xnining Xninebreaker.
Congratulations for submitting a winning entry! It is difficult to come up with a satire of your work so I am settling for a proper parody with a snide title. Strangely enough, I came up with a proper narrative and story while thinking with your entry serving as an inspiration.
You will find that parody of mine a bit odd with zero dialogue, written like a report or a third person recounting some event. I am not sure if one can sympathise with the characters and some parts might leave you scratching your head like why mention that David was the object of envy when it has little bearing on the story. (ED: The style of writing I chose most likely is inspired by the Lord of the Rings Appendices, my most favourite part of the book.)
It was difficult to come up with because I am not used to writing a narrative. Do take it as a very rare treat. It is my way of complimenting you.
I have preached very annoyingly about the need to set out characters and setting during the competition. I hope that at the very least I have practiced what I preached.
It ends on a cliffhanger though because I have two endings in mind. If you wish me to complete it, do reply to the thread:
Here is some accompanying music as well. Reminds me of the music people use to celebrate the outbreak of the First World War and the millions who died in it.
__________________________________________________
The Ruined City, so called by many a person, stretched ever the more across the horizon as David, a scion of a powerful line of politicians, establishment figures and warlords, was brought nearer to that city by an extremely noisy military transport accompanied with his soldier comrades.
David's destination was long ago a gleaming metropolis and a great centre of trade and commerce that was regrettably brought to its knees by being one of the first victims of a long, bloody and devastating civil war. That city fell into the clutches of many a warlord who lost hold as soon as they gained control with another round of plunder, pillage and rape for each change of hands. After many self-styled conquerors foisted their names onto that city in a display of disgusting egocentricity, the city was given that awful moniker, The Ruined City, by the man on the street to avoid confusion among her many names and perhaps to dissociate it from what it once was.
By the time the city fell under the control of David's family, the Ruined City was no more than a collection of ugly monoliths made of bones of steel, bodies of concrete and skins of glass. It must have struck those who took as much as a glance at the city to realise the destruction that terrible war wrought on life, property and much more. Indeed, it made those whose hearts were not hardened by the war feel as if their victory was a Pyrrhic and a hollow one.
Even David, who was no stranger to war felt his spirits slowly sink as he got nearer to the city with each passing second. He would rather be placed on missions that would bring him his family closer to wresting control over the whole country never mind that the civil war is drawing to a close in his family's favour. Under normal circumstances, he would have resisted taking part in what he unfairly thought as an empty charade of boosting morale and placating a handful of civilians in the Ruined City. As it was, David's reasons for heading to the Ruined City were much closer to the heart.
He was looking for an Elizabeth, a woman whom he held at very high esteem. Be it may that she was an unsightly woman with her freckled, dark beige complexion, her thick and closely knitted eyebrows crowning her eyes, her stubby and flat nose and her short, sturdy almost masculine figure, David found her a charismatic, resilient and above all a competent soldier, a person as worthy as the best officers his family sent to the pride, pomp and circumstance of that war.
Their first encounter with each other was barely romantic. Indeed, neither of them would ever admit to having anything resembling a romantic relationship with each other. There were no pleasant sights, no pleasant smells and the atmosphere was far from pleasant when they first met in the gruesome military training grounds ran by David's family. David, that modern aristocratic officer was teamed with the far from modern and not-so-aristocratic Elizabeth. There were very noticeable differences between them, be it of class, personality, outlook in life and so on.
David believed that Elizabeth, like so many of his comrades at arms, was from a family of peasants who lived from hand to mouth, doomed to be farmers, labourers or soldiers. David could only guess that her personality and her astounding ability at rabble rousing and leadership must be honed at the fields. Many a time, he imagined Elizabeth leading a few others, perhaps younger relatives, to till the fields. She looked every inch a person who toiled under the sun and she had a deep knowledge of plants and insects, all characteristic of a farmer. David observed that she knew little beyond agricultural techniques, weapon use and assembly and the art of persuasion but demonstrated remarkable physical and mental resilience. These too must be a result of the hard work she had to go through as a farmer and the social stigma she bore due to her lowly status.
Whether Elizabeth could tell what kind of upbringing he had had as a member of what would be the most powerful family that ruled the country, David did not know for sure. However, Elizabeth displayed surprising sensitivity that was quite uncharacteristic of her at the very occasional mention of his years as a child. The annals of history portray princelings like David either as being pampered and spoilt or thrown in at the deep end of the pool. It was painfully apparent that David was the latter. He was brought up in a spartan lifestyle with his stern mother, one of many of his father's concubines, as his companion and was deprived of the luxuries his family could well afford. Under the guidance of his mother, he was taught to love and fear his father, an unquestioning loyalty towards his family and country was inculcated in him, he was given the best education possible, he had to manage his own affairs with little to no help and he learnt how to conceal his emotions through the coaxing, chiding and the occasional beating. He barely had any contact with his father but it was under his orders that he was inducted into his private army when he became a teenager first as a lowly recruit and who rose to the rank of a junior officer within a few short but trying years.
Their formative experiences in their youth must have shaped their personalities that were as different night and day. Elizabeth was an ebullient extrovert while David was silent and inscrutable. Elizabeth was more concerned and more comfortable with tasks at hand while David cared more and preferred setting out long term objectives. Yet, they were brought together to handle the most challenging of tasks, be it the execution of tactical manoeuvres, the transport of military supplies, the operation of heavy weapons all the while operating in the most demanding of environments. Instead of allowing their differences to become obstacles to working together, they complemented each other's strengths and made up for each other's weaknesses. It was no surprise that the company that they led together did well in many of the military operations they undertook.
As the years passed and the country slipped inexorably into chaos, David gained prominence in his family's armed forces and enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks. With that came a few inconveniences. There was a lot of gossip by many a green-eyed soldier that his rise could only be possible due to his family ties, a point that David himself admitted to be true. He had to handle yet more responsibilities under the backdrop of an impending war that could range from mobilising troops to the bizarre attempts at getting a man of war like himself to engage in diplomatic overtures to possible allies and potential enemies. What bothered him the most is that Elizabeth, together with a few others that worked with him, were not recognised for their contributions to his family's army despite their supposed commitment to reward its soldiers based on merit. David knew the reason to be class prejudice. Yet, being indoctrinated since young to think for his family and enterprise, he saw it as a problem that needed to be addressed.
He recommended a few reforms to his father like the way rewards were issued, punishments were awarded and for more weight to be given to recommendations and testimonies for soldiers on the ground. He recommended a few persons for promotion and a handful of sergeants to be promoted into officers, Elizabeth being one of their number. When the letters and memoranda he sent containing those recommendations went unanswered, he sent them once more with the words changed but the proposals not. By the third and failed attempt in doing so, David decided to take matters into his own hands.
What David decided to undertake was on the verge of mutinous behaviour, quite alike knighting a few officers without approval from the monarch. While he did not openly commission Elizabeth and company as officers, they were given responsibilities that only officers can assume and with a salary commensurate with those responsibilities. Most interestingly and quite unexpected of David, he chose a very peculiar but strange way to pile pressure on those who ran his family's army to give in to his demands for reform.
He hinted to his father in a letter that intended to marry Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth first heard of this proposal, she gave a hearty guffaw. Was it not ludicrous that an aristocrat would want to have a peasant not as a mistress, not as a concubine but as partner and wife? David remembered that he gave a rare and faint smile upon seeing Elizabeth's reaction. That marriage proposal was a thinly veiled threat that took advantage of his family's prejudices shaped by society and culture. Would his family's good name be put to question if that proposed marriage were to take place? His father as expected objected and offered a qui pro quo that David wanted which was a concession on military reforms and the promotion of Elizabeth and a few others as officers.
David's ruse was largely successful but he did feel a tinge of regret that his father objected to his proposal of marriage to Elizabeth. She had all the values his family valued in their wives namely tenacity, discipline, sense of responsibility, competence and above all, loyalty. David almost enjoyed work with Elizabeth covering him and pointing out things that he could have otherwise overlooked. Perhaps most of all, she was a natural host notwithstanding her less than attractive appearance and made good company.
Against the backdrop of military promotions and a failed marriage proposal, the central government finally collapsed in a violent military coup sparking a mad scramble by opportunistic warlords over large swathes of land. The implementation of the military reforms David suggested was timely in preparing troops for battle as the skirmishes became large scale sieges with many cities, the Ruined City included, falling victim.
It took an armed strike against David's family to serve as a pretext for them to take action. Finally, troops were mobilised, supply lines were established, men were armed and battle plans were drawn. Operating from their base in hilly and rather inaccessible terrain located in the far west of the country, David's family managed to sweep through neighbouring regions with relative ease. Although their triumphs in the battlefield doubtlessly serve as a powerful boost to morale, both David and Elizabeth both knew that a long and protracted war lay ahead in the plains east of the country where troop movement is less inhibited by terrain constraints and cities and other targets while easy to seize were even more easier to lose.
Their gains on the battlefield appeared to be thrown into doubt as they vied for control of the once affluent cities of the East. War comrades, some of them close to both David and Elizabeth perished while many others were maimed in ferocious battle. Yet, the fighting spirit of David's family never seemed to waver be it due to the lust of reward or fear of punishment courtesy of David's military reforms or Elizabeth's near miraculous ability to raise the spirits of many a soldier. The mutual admiration between David and Elizabeth grew ever the more stronger in the face of the ever increasing challenges of war. Every now and then, David contemplated marriage with Elizabeth should all go well. Alas, it could have come into fruition if not for the fateful siege of the Ruined City.
The Ruined City was not dissimilar to the cities east of the country being easy to seize and yet easier to lose. Unlike the other cities, it had both strategic and symbolic value that made many an army face their demise by spending too much blood and treasure maintaining their grip on the city as they became targets for bloodthirsty and envious rivals. David's family however was determined that they would keep the city firmly in its grasp. Like the many warlords before them who occupied the city then perished, David's family believed that taking over this city would pave their way for total domination of the country. Unlike their failed and vanquished rivals, David's family knew that in order to secure the Ruined City, they must bar their rivals access to the Ruined City by controlling the many roads and paths that lead to it. That meant the need to spread their forces to surround the city. In order for that strategy to be effective however, a unit had to serve to divert attention from the attempt to surround the city. That would be done by sending a unit to mount a risky and near suicidal attack the city.
The execution of this strategy became the excuse for David and Elizabeth to part ways. They would not be leading units to take down targets together, instead they would be operating separately. Both David and Elizabeth accepted and agreed with the strategy without complaint. However, there was an unexpected commotion about who would lead the troops to stage that attack on the Ruined City. It served as one of moments in David's life he would wish to forget but never would.
It started when two officers volunteered to lead the unit to stage that daring attack. Few of those who were present when the two expressed their wish to brave death attempting to take the Ruined City were unmoved for they were awed for their accomplishments in the battlefield and their unmatched courage. Yet, the two officers who volunteered themselves were both shock and dismayed that the other should want to undertake such a dangerous task. Indeed, the two officers in question were David and Elizabeth.
In a very rare outburst, David raised his voice with his cool and gravitas almost giving way. He asked why it was deemed fit for a woman and a person of such lowly status to undertake so important a task. The retort came unexpectedly from Elizabeth who then insinuated that it was brash and irresponsible to send an officer of such importance and lineage to die in a diversionary attack. With uncharacteristic sarcasm and dryness in her voice almost reminiscent of David's demeanour, she questioned David's ability to rouse his men to lay down their lives for him and his family.
Elizabeth's words removed whatever inhibition David had that kept his emotions in check. As soon as she uttered those words, David lunged at her with an animalistic yell, with no other thought in his mind except for a powerful urge to manhandle her. Before he could lay his hands on Elizabeth however, he was brutally restrained and removed from her presence. That was to be the last time David saw Elizabeth for he was punished by incarceration for behaving in such an unruly manner while the generals of David's family acceded to Elizabeth's request to stage an attack on the Ruined City.
The strategy to take down the city was successful and it gave David's family the momentum and boost in morale so needed to establish themselves as the dominant power in the land. Nonetheless, it was not without cost. David knew enough of warfare to know that Elizabeth would have little chance of coming out of this attack in one piece. As soon as he was released from his imprisonment, he was offered the mission to return to the Ruined City which he accepted. So ends the account of the events leading to David's visit to the Ruined City to find Elizabeth and begins the account of what happened thereafter.
David spent his time en route in the military transport thinking about himself, Elizabeth and the war despite the blaring noise of the engines before replaying the final unhappy moments with Elizabeth in his head again, again and again. He recalled his shock, grief and anger at Elizabeth's resolve to seek death at the Ruined City. Shocked he was as he did not expect Elizabeth to do so. Grieved he was as he did not want Elizabeth whom he so loved to do so. Angered he was as he believed Elizabeth ought not to do so.
What were the reasons behind that decision? Despite putting in much thought, he could not find the answer to that question though it did occur to him that Elizabeth must have felt the same grief and shock when he too volunteered to be cannon fodder at the Ruined City. Would Elizabeth ever know that David made that decision out of loyalty and commitment to family and enterprise? Would she know that she angered David for usurping his role as a willing martyr for his family? Would she know that by doing so she would be taking away the life of the person David loved so much? David would love to know the answers to these questions.
Silent David was as the military transport rolled into the Ruined City. If not for his companions in the transport reminding him that they have reached their destination, he could have sat there for much longer in deep thought. Their destination within the city was a clearing within the concrete forest of ruined towers with a boulevard of shrivelled and leafless trees that lead to a sanctuary that was of traditional architecture.
In that sanctuary took place sacred rituals filled with religious and cultural significance. There the inhabitants of the Ruined City once offered prayers at important festivals marking the solstices, celebrated the birthdays of very young children and coming of age ceremonies, held grand but solemn weddings and equally grand and solemn funerals. The place was filled with a great sense of foreboding as it stank of death and visible were the scars of many years of war. David's face betrayed little to no emotion though many memories, thoughts and feelings must be swirling in his mind like powerful and invisible undercurrents. For it was within that sanctuary where David would find the person he was looking for, the beloved Elizabeth.
Note by leonard267: I will stop here as I see two endings present themselves before me. If you somehow managed to read through these ghastly paragraphs (poor high_time couldn't), rest assured that I will pen these two endings. Till then swear and curse at this author for that pointless cliffhanger.
The 1000 word long, preachy and does-not-appear-to-resemble-an-ending ending:
Congratulations for submitting a winning entry! It is difficult to come up with a satire of your work so I am settling for a proper parody with a snide title. Strangely enough, I came up with a proper narrative and story while thinking with your entry serving as an inspiration.
You will find that parody of mine a bit odd with zero dialogue, written like a report or a third person recounting some event. I am not sure if one can sympathise with the characters and some parts might leave you scratching your head like why mention that David was the object of envy when it has little bearing on the story. (ED: The style of writing I chose most likely is inspired by the Lord of the Rings Appendices, my most favourite part of the book.)
It was difficult to come up with because I am not used to writing a narrative. Do take it as a very rare treat. It is my way of complimenting you.
I have preached very annoyingly about the need to set out characters and setting during the competition. I hope that at the very least I have practiced what I preached.
It ends on a cliffhanger though because I have two endings in mind. If you wish me to complete it, do reply to the thread:
Here is some accompanying music as well. Reminds me of the music people use to celebrate the outbreak of the First World War and the millions who died in it.
__________________________________________________
The Ruined City, so called by many a person, stretched ever the more across the horizon as David, a scion of a powerful line of politicians, establishment figures and warlords, was brought nearer to that city by an extremely noisy military transport accompanied with his soldier comrades.
David's destination was long ago a gleaming metropolis and a great centre of trade and commerce that was regrettably brought to its knees by being one of the first victims of a long, bloody and devastating civil war. That city fell into the clutches of many a warlord who lost hold as soon as they gained control with another round of plunder, pillage and rape for each change of hands. After many self-styled conquerors foisted their names onto that city in a display of disgusting egocentricity, the city was given that awful moniker, The Ruined City, by the man on the street to avoid confusion among her many names and perhaps to dissociate it from what it once was.
By the time the city fell under the control of David's family, the Ruined City was no more than a collection of ugly monoliths made of bones of steel, bodies of concrete and skins of glass. It must have struck those who took as much as a glance at the city to realise the destruction that terrible war wrought on life, property and much more. Indeed, it made those whose hearts were not hardened by the war feel as if their victory was a Pyrrhic and a hollow one.
Even David, who was no stranger to war felt his spirits slowly sink as he got nearer to the city with each passing second. He would rather be placed on missions that would bring him his family closer to wresting control over the whole country never mind that the civil war is drawing to a close in his family's favour. Under normal circumstances, he would have resisted taking part in what he unfairly thought as an empty charade of boosting morale and placating a handful of civilians in the Ruined City. As it was, David's reasons for heading to the Ruined City were much closer to the heart.
He was looking for an Elizabeth, a woman whom he held at very high esteem. Be it may that she was an unsightly woman with her freckled, dark beige complexion, her thick and closely knitted eyebrows crowning her eyes, her stubby and flat nose and her short, sturdy almost masculine figure, David found her a charismatic, resilient and above all a competent soldier, a person as worthy as the best officers his family sent to the pride, pomp and circumstance of that war.
Their first encounter with each other was barely romantic. Indeed, neither of them would ever admit to having anything resembling a romantic relationship with each other. There were no pleasant sights, no pleasant smells and the atmosphere was far from pleasant when they first met in the gruesome military training grounds ran by David's family. David, that modern aristocratic officer was teamed with the far from modern and not-so-aristocratic Elizabeth. There were very noticeable differences between them, be it of class, personality, outlook in life and so on.
David believed that Elizabeth, like so many of his comrades at arms, was from a family of peasants who lived from hand to mouth, doomed to be farmers, labourers or soldiers. David could only guess that her personality and her astounding ability at rabble rousing and leadership must be honed at the fields. Many a time, he imagined Elizabeth leading a few others, perhaps younger relatives, to till the fields. She looked every inch a person who toiled under the sun and she had a deep knowledge of plants and insects, all characteristic of a farmer. David observed that she knew little beyond agricultural techniques, weapon use and assembly and the art of persuasion but demonstrated remarkable physical and mental resilience. These too must be a result of the hard work she had to go through as a farmer and the social stigma she bore due to her lowly status.
Whether Elizabeth could tell what kind of upbringing he had had as a member of what would be the most powerful family that ruled the country, David did not know for sure. However, Elizabeth displayed surprising sensitivity that was quite uncharacteristic of her at the very occasional mention of his years as a child. The annals of history portray princelings like David either as being pampered and spoilt or thrown in at the deep end of the pool. It was painfully apparent that David was the latter. He was brought up in a spartan lifestyle with his stern mother, one of many of his father's concubines, as his companion and was deprived of the luxuries his family could well afford. Under the guidance of his mother, he was taught to love and fear his father, an unquestioning loyalty towards his family and country was inculcated in him, he was given the best education possible, he had to manage his own affairs with little to no help and he learnt how to conceal his emotions through the coaxing, chiding and the occasional beating. He barely had any contact with his father but it was under his orders that he was inducted into his private army when he became a teenager first as a lowly recruit and who rose to the rank of a junior officer within a few short but trying years.
Their formative experiences in their youth must have shaped their personalities that were as different night and day. Elizabeth was an ebullient extrovert while David was silent and inscrutable. Elizabeth was more concerned and more comfortable with tasks at hand while David cared more and preferred setting out long term objectives. Yet, they were brought together to handle the most challenging of tasks, be it the execution of tactical manoeuvres, the transport of military supplies, the operation of heavy weapons all the while operating in the most demanding of environments. Instead of allowing their differences to become obstacles to working together, they complemented each other's strengths and made up for each other's weaknesses. It was no surprise that the company that they led together did well in many of the military operations they undertook.
As the years passed and the country slipped inexorably into chaos, David gained prominence in his family's armed forces and enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks. With that came a few inconveniences. There was a lot of gossip by many a green-eyed soldier that his rise could only be possible due to his family ties, a point that David himself admitted to be true. He had to handle yet more responsibilities under the backdrop of an impending war that could range from mobilising troops to the bizarre attempts at getting a man of war like himself to engage in diplomatic overtures to possible allies and potential enemies. What bothered him the most is that Elizabeth, together with a few others that worked with him, were not recognised for their contributions to his family's army despite their supposed commitment to reward its soldiers based on merit. David knew the reason to be class prejudice. Yet, being indoctrinated since young to think for his family and enterprise, he saw it as a problem that needed to be addressed.
He recommended a few reforms to his father like the way rewards were issued, punishments were awarded and for more weight to be given to recommendations and testimonies for soldiers on the ground. He recommended a few persons for promotion and a handful of sergeants to be promoted into officers, Elizabeth being one of their number. When the letters and memoranda he sent containing those recommendations went unanswered, he sent them once more with the words changed but the proposals not. By the third and failed attempt in doing so, David decided to take matters into his own hands.
What David decided to undertake was on the verge of mutinous behaviour, quite alike knighting a few officers without approval from the monarch. While he did not openly commission Elizabeth and company as officers, they were given responsibilities that only officers can assume and with a salary commensurate with those responsibilities. Most interestingly and quite unexpected of David, he chose a very peculiar but strange way to pile pressure on those who ran his family's army to give in to his demands for reform.
He hinted to his father in a letter that intended to marry Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth first heard of this proposal, she gave a hearty guffaw. Was it not ludicrous that an aristocrat would want to have a peasant not as a mistress, not as a concubine but as partner and wife? David remembered that he gave a rare and faint smile upon seeing Elizabeth's reaction. That marriage proposal was a thinly veiled threat that took advantage of his family's prejudices shaped by society and culture. Would his family's good name be put to question if that proposed marriage were to take place? His father as expected objected and offered a qui pro quo that David wanted which was a concession on military reforms and the promotion of Elizabeth and a few others as officers.
David's ruse was largely successful but he did feel a tinge of regret that his father objected to his proposal of marriage to Elizabeth. She had all the values his family valued in their wives namely tenacity, discipline, sense of responsibility, competence and above all, loyalty. David almost enjoyed work with Elizabeth covering him and pointing out things that he could have otherwise overlooked. Perhaps most of all, she was a natural host notwithstanding her less than attractive appearance and made good company.
Against the backdrop of military promotions and a failed marriage proposal, the central government finally collapsed in a violent military coup sparking a mad scramble by opportunistic warlords over large swathes of land. The implementation of the military reforms David suggested was timely in preparing troops for battle as the skirmishes became large scale sieges with many cities, the Ruined City included, falling victim.
It took an armed strike against David's family to serve as a pretext for them to take action. Finally, troops were mobilised, supply lines were established, men were armed and battle plans were drawn. Operating from their base in hilly and rather inaccessible terrain located in the far west of the country, David's family managed to sweep through neighbouring regions with relative ease. Although their triumphs in the battlefield doubtlessly serve as a powerful boost to morale, both David and Elizabeth both knew that a long and protracted war lay ahead in the plains east of the country where troop movement is less inhibited by terrain constraints and cities and other targets while easy to seize were even more easier to lose.
Their gains on the battlefield appeared to be thrown into doubt as they vied for control of the once affluent cities of the East. War comrades, some of them close to both David and Elizabeth perished while many others were maimed in ferocious battle. Yet, the fighting spirit of David's family never seemed to waver be it due to the lust of reward or fear of punishment courtesy of David's military reforms or Elizabeth's near miraculous ability to raise the spirits of many a soldier. The mutual admiration between David and Elizabeth grew ever the more stronger in the face of the ever increasing challenges of war. Every now and then, David contemplated marriage with Elizabeth should all go well. Alas, it could have come into fruition if not for the fateful siege of the Ruined City.
The Ruined City was not dissimilar to the cities east of the country being easy to seize and yet easier to lose. Unlike the other cities, it had both strategic and symbolic value that made many an army face their demise by spending too much blood and treasure maintaining their grip on the city as they became targets for bloodthirsty and envious rivals. David's family however was determined that they would keep the city firmly in its grasp. Like the many warlords before them who occupied the city then perished, David's family believed that taking over this city would pave their way for total domination of the country. Unlike their failed and vanquished rivals, David's family knew that in order to secure the Ruined City, they must bar their rivals access to the Ruined City by controlling the many roads and paths that lead to it. That meant the need to spread their forces to surround the city. In order for that strategy to be effective however, a unit had to serve to divert attention from the attempt to surround the city. That would be done by sending a unit to mount a risky and near suicidal attack the city.
The execution of this strategy became the excuse for David and Elizabeth to part ways. They would not be leading units to take down targets together, instead they would be operating separately. Both David and Elizabeth accepted and agreed with the strategy without complaint. However, there was an unexpected commotion about who would lead the troops to stage that attack on the Ruined City. It served as one of moments in David's life he would wish to forget but never would.
It started when two officers volunteered to lead the unit to stage that daring attack. Few of those who were present when the two expressed their wish to brave death attempting to take the Ruined City were unmoved for they were awed for their accomplishments in the battlefield and their unmatched courage. Yet, the two officers who volunteered themselves were both shock and dismayed that the other should want to undertake such a dangerous task. Indeed, the two officers in question were David and Elizabeth.
In a very rare outburst, David raised his voice with his cool and gravitas almost giving way. He asked why it was deemed fit for a woman and a person of such lowly status to undertake so important a task. The retort came unexpectedly from Elizabeth who then insinuated that it was brash and irresponsible to send an officer of such importance and lineage to die in a diversionary attack. With uncharacteristic sarcasm and dryness in her voice almost reminiscent of David's demeanour, she questioned David's ability to rouse his men to lay down their lives for him and his family.
Elizabeth's words removed whatever inhibition David had that kept his emotions in check. As soon as she uttered those words, David lunged at her with an animalistic yell, with no other thought in his mind except for a powerful urge to manhandle her. Before he could lay his hands on Elizabeth however, he was brutally restrained and removed from her presence. That was to be the last time David saw Elizabeth for he was punished by incarceration for behaving in such an unruly manner while the generals of David's family acceded to Elizabeth's request to stage an attack on the Ruined City.
The strategy to take down the city was successful and it gave David's family the momentum and boost in morale so needed to establish themselves as the dominant power in the land. Nonetheless, it was not without cost. David knew enough of warfare to know that Elizabeth would have little chance of coming out of this attack in one piece. As soon as he was released from his imprisonment, he was offered the mission to return to the Ruined City which he accepted. So ends the account of the events leading to David's visit to the Ruined City to find Elizabeth and begins the account of what happened thereafter.
David spent his time en route in the military transport thinking about himself, Elizabeth and the war despite the blaring noise of the engines before replaying the final unhappy moments with Elizabeth in his head again, again and again. He recalled his shock, grief and anger at Elizabeth's resolve to seek death at the Ruined City. Shocked he was as he did not expect Elizabeth to do so. Grieved he was as he did not want Elizabeth whom he so loved to do so. Angered he was as he believed Elizabeth ought not to do so.
What were the reasons behind that decision? Despite putting in much thought, he could not find the answer to that question though it did occur to him that Elizabeth must have felt the same grief and shock when he too volunteered to be cannon fodder at the Ruined City. Would Elizabeth ever know that David made that decision out of loyalty and commitment to family and enterprise? Would she know that she angered David for usurping his role as a willing martyr for his family? Would she know that by doing so she would be taking away the life of the person David loved so much? David would love to know the answers to these questions.
Silent David was as the military transport rolled into the Ruined City. If not for his companions in the transport reminding him that they have reached their destination, he could have sat there for much longer in deep thought. Their destination within the city was a clearing within the concrete forest of ruined towers with a boulevard of shrivelled and leafless trees that lead to a sanctuary that was of traditional architecture.
In that sanctuary took place sacred rituals filled with religious and cultural significance. There the inhabitants of the Ruined City once offered prayers at important festivals marking the solstices, celebrated the birthdays of very young children and coming of age ceremonies, held grand but solemn weddings and equally grand and solemn funerals. The place was filled with a great sense of foreboding as it stank of death and visible were the scars of many years of war. David's face betrayed little to no emotion though many memories, thoughts and feelings must be swirling in his mind like powerful and invisible undercurrents. For it was within that sanctuary where David would find the person he was looking for, the beloved Elizabeth.
Note by leonard267: I will stop here as I see two endings present themselves before me. If you somehow managed to read through these ghastly paragraphs (poor high_time couldn't), rest assured that I will pen these two endings. Till then swear and curse at this author for that pointless cliffhanger.
The 1000 word long, preachy and does-not-appear-to-resemble-an-ending ending:
Spoiler:
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
leonard267 wrote...
What's the joke? Nice reptile though. I am so glad to see that many people are participating in this non-event of mine. I feel smug.
Someone asked what another person's New Year's resolution would be, and they gave them the resolution of their computer screen.
No, no. Not high_time's entry, your entry with the reptile in it; I did not get your entry.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
The user above is quite beyond comprehension,
For he names himself after a rather inefficient contraption.
He whirls and twirls as the winds blow
But producing not enough heat energy, leaving so many cold
Gahald, so named this mill
The very thought of it makes one ill.
One wonders why he is so christened.
That said, if he is demolished, my eyes won't be moistened.
ED: Still applies.
For he names himself after a rather inefficient contraption.
He whirls and twirls as the winds blow
But producing not enough heat energy, leaving so many cold
Gahald, so named this mill
The very thought of it makes one ill.
One wonders why he is so christened.
That said, if he is demolished, my eyes won't be moistened.
ED: Still applies.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
My entrySpoiler:
just got that from someplace. the OP asked about their New Year Resolution and the guys just gave their monitor screen resolution lol
I did not get that joke until I saw the word "monitor."
What's the joke? Nice reptile though. I am so glad to see that many people are participating in this non-event of mine. I feel smug.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
[quote="d(^_^)(^_^)d"]
Your story essentially has two parts to it. One is the report on what has happened, and the other is what's going on in the present. I would have jumped back and forth between the two parts to give breaks in the backstory because, as I've already said, It's just too much for me all at once.
I'd compare your story to a 2 hour movie where the first 3/4's of it is one, big action sequence. I don't care how amazing it is, you're going to get tired of it after a while.
And yeah, I imagine that you very well could turn this thing into a full novel should you wish to. I hadn't seen your reply by the way. Thanks for the message.
I disagree that it is one action scene like the battle of Helm's Deep (sic) portrayed by Peter Jackson's movie that dragged on and on forever. If I had to compare it with a movie, it would be a confusing movie like the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lone Ranger or anything else that John Depp is in. Many plots and subplots which are not properly explained or moves too fast. (I happen to like those movies though)
I feel that I am your antithesis in so many ways. While you prefer things that are complex, I prefer the simple. (I'd argue that this story is very simple) While you prefer dialogues, I prefer monologues or third person narration. While you prefer exotic styles of writing like time jumps, I prefer things to be explained chronologically (of course excepting the very first part of the story).
I can say that my tastes in writing come from reading non-fiction where points are cogently set out. I really wonder what is yours. Your writing feels as if I am watching a film rather than reading a newspaper article.
Your story essentially has two parts to it. One is the report on what has happened, and the other is what's going on in the present. I would have jumped back and forth between the two parts to give breaks in the backstory because, as I've already said, It's just too much for me all at once.
I'd compare your story to a 2 hour movie where the first 3/4's of it is one, big action sequence. I don't care how amazing it is, you're going to get tired of it after a while.
And yeah, I imagine that you very well could turn this thing into a full novel should you wish to. I hadn't seen your reply by the way. Thanks for the message.
I disagree that it is one action scene like the battle of Helm's Deep (sic) portrayed by Peter Jackson's movie that dragged on and on forever. If I had to compare it with a movie, it would be a confusing movie like the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lone Ranger or anything else that John Depp is in. Many plots and subplots which are not properly explained or moves too fast. (I happen to like those movies though)
I feel that I am your antithesis in so many ways. While you prefer things that are complex, I prefer the simple. (I'd argue that this story is very simple) While you prefer dialogues, I prefer monologues or third person narration. While you prefer exotic styles of writing like time jumps, I prefer things to be explained chronologically (of course excepting the very first part of the story).
I can say that my tastes in writing come from reading non-fiction where points are cogently set out. I really wonder what is yours. Your writing feels as if I am watching a film rather than reading a newspaper article.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
Kuro vi Lolitannia wrote...
And stupid me change the whole storyline.Was going to make a "princess love prince while they're in the middle of war" kind of story like Romeo and Juliet. But the lack of loli, incest, and netorare disgusts me.
I have parodied your story even before you wrote it!
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
His username is suggestive of a rather disturbing combustion process that takes place with an organism supposedly known as 'Devs' serving as the fuel source. Personally, I thought it is extremely prudent for me to think that event is non-existent.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
How many times I have said that it is a long time since I have spoke to him? That said, it is a long time since I have spoke to him.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
Reasons Why This Piece Is No Good, Compiled by high_time and leonard267
high_time:
it's not about the length you see. I've read through all of those and enjoyed it, but I can't say I've thoroughly read it. I just read the parts that were understandable. still, there's many parts where I'm completely lost to what's going on.
particularly this usage of language isn't something of my preference. it just kinda sounds too formal and rigid to me, and I don't have that much of an expertise in reading to make up an understanding of this. at some points I can't even distinguish the parts you want to deem as important or the parts you want to stress out. most of time it's just me.
and don't get me started on the actual story and content stuff, I'm very cruel and unfair when it comes to this. really, the most thing I hate about writing is that I have to criticize people sometimes even though I can't really write any shit.
I think, if I were to write these kind of things, maybe it'll go along the
destruction of Rome by the barbarians and such. somewhat along the lines of a historical fiction. go get some few historical references from wikipedia and change it to adjust it to the story. maybe I can introduce Dave as a viking descendant, and Liz as a part of a nomad tribe known for its sexual prowess like the amazoness.
Dave being effeminate enough to pass out as a woman who pretends to be a man, and Liz, a woman with giant jugs and a large penis who masturbates every day. gave them a descriptions of ridiculous looking erotic apparel similar to cosplay, and give them the moe characteristics. every day they partake in a S&M relationship where Dave becomes the little girl and LIz as his mother.
due to the aftermath of Rome destruction by the barbarians, they go and set out to form the New City in the ruined place because they had ran out of places to have sex in public, and having sex both in the ruins and a new city in the same place would be good. because this story uses a hentai logic, they did not get pregnant even after having so much sex, particularly Dave, since he's a man, even though he's also a trap with thin, slender and prim body.
add some ridiculous absurdities and lots of obscene pornographic things and you get what I usually write. also add hermaphrodites, cross-dressing guys, tentacles and that would most likely offend many people in historical department, especially when someone wants to satirize their history and turning it into something made by a horny Japanese who reads too much and still can't even understand a single word.
later on I'll give the cliffhanger of Dave getting pregnant, and during the pregnancy he will form three titties, multiple genitals and a hymen-coated vagina. the adorable hermaphrodite kid, subject to be a violent masturbation fodder by pedophiles, lolicons, and many other people who are just looking for kinky fantasies. that's it when the kid grew up.
as the ending, Dave, the loli kid, and the mother would have lots of sex at one time, described in great length and detail on how pleasant an incest sexual intercourse between the hermaphrodite daughter, father, and mother. all of them being hermaphrodites of course. it goes to greatly offend the decency and prudishness of many people all around.
it will do a nice touch to end this by making the three of them commit suicide after that because the Author told them so. basically making the readers think 'what the fuck am I reading?'
or we could just go on with a cliched 'they lived happily ever after' the ruined city has now became a city filled with hermaphrodites and they had lots of happy sex - everybody was happy - the legacy continues on until the present. whenever you want to take the true path of a hermaphrodite, come and visit us anytime.
signed,
The Chieftain.
===
yeah just like that.
as an alternative to making it the city filled with hermaphrodites, I'll probably try to write something like this one.
http://yuri-ism.com/2014/01/17/release-224-earth-girls-finale/
make the girls had lots of sex and they would give birth to a child by laying eggs after having kinky girl-on-girl intercourse.
leonard267:
I will do a satirical parody of it if I have the time. I think it will take less effort.
If I had written it properly like a typical story with dialogue it could go to over 10000 words with me explaining what had happened in detail like the resentment among rank and file David felt when he was promoted to an officer of high rank.
I think just about every part of story is important. What I had done to show who David and Elizabeth are, what they had done in the years leading up to the successful capture of the Ruined City and how they feel about each other and the motivation behind what they did.
I believe the most important part ought to be the last time David met Elizabeth in a quarrel. David and Elizabeth's exploits in the military, the first marriage proposal can be left out.
That said, can you give me examples from what I have written that you did not understand? I suspect it was how the Ruined City would be taken. That style of writing I think was subconsciously taken from the Lord of the Rings appendices and journalist articles. Almost little to no dialogue at all.
Do ignore the part about me writing it properly. I realised some problems I had with my own writing namely my failure to make myself relate to these characters because I am writing in third person with little dialogue and you will not believe it, I felt that my story felt too general and not detailed enough.
As for your criticism, there are very good pieces of work that I disliked like Edgar Allan Poe's work which gave little mention of what is happening instead choosing to focus on one's feelings and thoughts. If you could take an example from that article and indicate that it made little sense to you, I would be glad.
high_time:
okay, let me go on with d's style of reviewing.
probably you want to shorten the sentences and using simpler words. using less commas and using less relative pronouns like 'who', 'whom', 'which', 'whose' could also make it easier to understand.
well it also depends on how you use the relative pronoun.
David's destination was long ago a gleaming metropolis and a great centre of trade and commerce that was regrettably brought to its knees by being one of the first victims of a long, bloody and devastating civil war.
probably a bit too long of a sentence.
"David's destination was once a gleaming metropolis. A great centre of trade and commerce. It was brought down during a long, bloody, and devastating civil war."
That city fell into the clutches of many a warlord who lost hold as soon as they gained control with another round of plunder, pillage and rape for each change of hands.
"The city fell into the clutches of many different warlords. Plunder, pillage and rape goes for each changing power."
the rest, well, you'd probably got the idea to make it much shorter and less infodumps.
After many self-styled conquerors foisted their names onto that city in a display of disgusting egocentricity, the city was given that awful moniker, The Ruined City, by the man on the street to avoid confusion among her many names and perhaps to dissociate it from what it once was.
could be worded in much simpler words.
"Many conquerors had arrogantly stomped upon the city, plasting their names and continue on ruining it. That's how the Ruined City moniker originates. It was given by some dirty peasant to avoid confusion. Names so much to remember, so they decided to stick to that instead."
By the time the city fell under the control of David's family, the Ruined City was no more than a collection of ugly monoliths made of bones of steel, bodies of concrete and skins of glass. It must have struck those who took as much as a glance at the city to realise the destruction that terrible war wrought on life, property and much more. Indeed, it made those whose hearts were not hardened by the war feel as if their victory was a Pyrrhic and a hollow one.
"When David's family came to power, the Ruined City was merely a collection of ugly steel monoliths, concrete bodies, and skins of glasses. Must be a shock when they had realized the terrible aftermath of war to this place. Even the victory felt as much as empty. Nothing good ever came from destruction."
===
that's how I word it. you probably can figure out the rest.
again, this is merely my personal preference. I find things easier to understand this way.
I'm sorry to be such an ass, but that's what I thought =/
leonard267:
I see. I thought what I have written is easy to understand. Thank goodness I am not writing a memorandum.
It was not my intention to show off when I write in this style but rather to set the tone of the story. This is a very grim affair from the point of view of a very grim aristocrat. The difficulty I had is to make sure each sentence sounds proper. If the story did not read well, it would sound like a McGonagall poem.
If you have read through the long articles in that journalist's blog I have shown you, you might realise that he is more verbose than me! Verbosity has always been my style of writing.
high_time:
I actually had understood your previous writings. probably because it's a generally narrative writing and I have trouble imagining descriptive things. your previous ones are monologues and it has about one or few things to tell so I can easily get a gist to what's going on.
either way, I think it's not really about the verbosity. I think, what it has in the Detroit article that made me understood, is the Author managed to convince me to read on because he has something a say. his political views and such for example. he had a certain point to tell rather than just merely describing things.
apart from the writing format and such, I might want to ask you stuff: what was the point of the story? why we must care about the meetings between David and Elizabeth? why must we kept read on and on about the details of things that were completely alien to us? what was the message the Author want to convey that were actually important for us?
no, not about the satirizing things. because when we want to satirize, we tend to exaggerate something, probably in a humorous manner. this writing doesn't get the same vibe as your usual satiric tones.
I probably complained about writing because I can't exactly get my finger about it and firstly got to the most visible problem.
you probably had said it once in xnine's thread about making readers care about what's going on. though, if you're going to mainly focus on the writings and the happenings along without focusing on the main essence, we probably had differences on thinking about things - not really your fault - it's just merely the differing preference.
compare your previous monologues that I find easy to understand and this one along with your attempt on creating a historical fiction. you probably see what I meant. or you can try reading Associate's winter entry that you liked.
either way, it's just my biased opinion. probably there's a point but I truly failed to spot the details right away. still, I can say that it's a well-written piece, and a lot of effort has been put to pen it down.
though I can also say, that I skipped the detailed descriptions while reading many stories out there, and mainly focus on the general idea as I could just try to imagine the rest as I want it to be. if I find something hard to read, I won't truly bother hurting my brain just to comprehend what's written. you can say that my opinion is unacceptable in the literary community, but that's fine.
what matters is that other people enjoy your works and my opinion doesn't mean anything much. don't let it get to you and just write the way you wanted - even if it's just to get things done.
===
damn, now I sound really rude and bigoted. I truly regret myself saying that.
leonard267:
damn, now I sound really rude and bigoted. I truly regret myself saying that.[/quote]
high, one ill turn deserves another. I know you have apologised but I am not going to let this pass because there are parts of your criticism that I cannot accept.
he had a certain point to tell rather than just merely describing things.
apart from the writing format and such, I might want to ask you stuff: what was the point of the story?
why must we kept read on and on about the details of things that were completely alien to us?
Man is in place. Who is this man? What is this place? Man is looking for woman. Who is this woman? Why is that woman so important? Where is this place and who is this man are addressed in the first four paragraphs. Who is that woman is addressed in the fifth paragraph onwards. It is made very clear. xnine's entry did not mention the woman Peter was looking for which was the very important in making the reader care. I attempt to address it here.
I can only imagine that you did not care about David even though it is plain that he is looking for someone very important and there are many, many paragraphs that are not just mere descriptions on why the woman mattered.
that I skipped the detailed descriptions
The only paragraphs that were purely description were about the Ruined City and the sanctuary within it. What you called mere description contained reasons why you should care.
I can accept that the verbosity of the language made it hard to figure it out what David's motivations are, established very early in the story. I will not accept that I am merely describing events that passed unless you give me a concrete example from what I have written.
if I find something hard to read, I won't truly bother hurting my brain just to comprehend what's written.
Well, this goes back to the problem that it is too verbose isn't it?
if you're going to mainly focus on the writings and the happenings along without focusing on the main essence.
What do you mean by essence?! Can you simply state that you would like the story to indicate why I should care about David?
I will say again that I accept that it is too verbose but will not accept that it is mere description unless evidence that indicates otherwise is provided.
damn, now I sound really rude and bigoted. I truly regret myself saying that.
You can try editing the parts you think you found offensive.
Keep it coming. Arguing and quarreling about a piece of writing is very invigorating. I think the real problem is that the font is too small or the fact that the journalist was writing in first person. I see little difference between the style of the journalist's articles and mine. He went through a lot of the history of Detroit and why it mattered.
high_time:
I don't like to argue, and I find it to be pretty much pointless, but let me rephrase myself. I do find my criticisms to be quite unfair given that I cannot really appreciate this kind of writing.
I have talked to you about this through PM many times already, so you probably would know it much better than anyone else.
It is made very clear.
I have written in the previous posts that it's not clear enough for me to understand.
it's also not that easy to read for me so I merely just skipped things. you know how raged and hurt I am the last time I tried to do a comprehensive reading of complex writings.
I can only imagine that you did not care about David even though it is plain that he is looking for someone very important and there are many, many paragraphs that are not just mere descriptions on why the woman mattered.
again, I have told about my selfish preferences when it comes to writing.
The only paragraphs that were purely description were about the Ruined City and the sanctuary within it. What you called mere description contained reasons why you should care.
I can accept that the verbosity of the language made it hard to figure it out what David's motivations are, established very early in the story. I will not accept that I am merely describing events that passed unless you give me a concrete example from what I have written.
I can accept that the verbosity of the language made it hard to figure it out what David's motivations are, established very early in the story. I will not accept that I am merely describing events that passed unless you give me a concrete example from what I have written.
refer to the above reply and the above.
Well, this goes back to the problem that it is too verbose isn't it?
exactly.
What do you mean by essence?! Can you simply state that you would like the story to indicate why I should care about David?
I will say again that I accept that it is too verbose but will not accept that it is mere description unless evidence that indicates otherwise is provided.
I will say again that I accept that it is too verbose but will not accept that it is mere description unless evidence that indicates otherwise is provided.
the main point besides the story.
I'll give one example about Norwegian Wood who deals with utter nihilism and the lack of willingness to live.
I take it as a romance story between a man and woman and how they go through hardships together. so maybe it's just me not reading through things enough.
You can try editing the parts you think you found offensive.
Keep it coming. Arguing and quarreling about a piece of writing is very invigorating. I think the real problem is that the font is too small or the fact that the journalist was writing in first person. I see little difference between the style of the journalist's articles and mine. He went through a lot of the history of Detroit and why it mattered.
Keep it coming. Arguing and quarreling about a piece of writing is very invigorating. I think the real problem is that the font is too small or the fact that the journalist was writing in first person. I see little difference between the style of the journalist's articles and mine. He went through a lot of the history of Detroit and why it mattered.
well, it just don't work anymore since you already read and quoted it right? =)
leonard267:
This is done out because I thought it fun.
high_time wrote...
I don't like to argue, and I find it to be pretty much pointless. If we are on good terms, there is no problem arguing. It clarifies matters which is what I am going to demonstrate.
I have written in the previous posts that it's not clear enough for me to understand.
I wouldn't call it not clear. From what you have told me, you said that you could not understand what I was writing because of the complex sentence structures (which is always a hallmark of my writing, satirical or otherwise). I believe I have spent entire paragraphs introducing the characters and the city. If one understood those paragraphs, the contents of the story would be made clear.
I would say "too verbose to understand".
I tried to do a comprehensive reading of complex writings.
I wouldn't call this parody a complex story. It is simply why a man is looking for a woman. The only thing I agree that is complex are the sentence structures. This is done because it is told in the point of view of a grim aristocrat.
the main point besides the story.
I'll give one example about Norwegian Wood who deals with utter nihilism and the lack of willingness to live.
I take it as a romance story between a man and woman and how they go through hardships together. so maybe it's just me not reading through things enough.
I'll give one example about Norwegian Wood who deals with utter nihilism and the lack of willingness to live.
I take it as a romance story between a man and woman and how they go through hardships together. so maybe it's just me not reading through things enough.
The word you are looking for is "theme", I believe. The main point of the story is a man looking for a woman.
well, it just don't work anymore since you already read and quoted it right? =)
Of course, if you are going to write remarks that you will regret in the future, I believe the advice for you to edit your post will come in handy.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
In media res technique. Not really dissimilar to what you have done for your entry. I agree that unlike your entry that technique was not made clear.
Yes, very similar.
I didn't say this earlier, but all the exposition in your entry is very detailed and thought-out, though that's kind of where the problem I have with it stems from. A lot of detail all at once and no breaks in between.
Can you give me an example from the entry? I am not sure what you mean by 'breaks'.
The story is told in third person and feels like a report or an oral account of what had happened. Perhaps this is why you felt that there are no breaks because right after the characters and the Ruined City are introduced, the events are explained. Once one event is explained, in comes another.
Maybe it is because of a lack of dialogue or little explanation of the many subplots. (By subplots I meant details of their training, how David's reforms affected his men, how did the feelings of envy aroused from his promotion affected his work and so on) If I had to elaborate on the subplots, I'd expect a full length novel!
xninebreaker wrote...
Elizabeth's imagery and character crashing down hits pretty hard; the powerful description indicates that she's almost broken at this point. The following paragroups don't seem to be half as traumatic though. Evidently, she's still functional enough to help rebuild the city, but I'm not so sure sold that she is the same woman that David once loved. At one point she expresses her desire to marry David Did not make it clear that left with nothing else to do and having no need to keep a stiff upper lip, she allowed the gruesome memories of war to overwhelm her. Her rather clumsy outpouring of her feelings upon seeing David showed that. Should also have shown that David was mistaken into thinking that Elizabeth had changed. Elizabeth was still Elizabeth but made an invalid.
xninebreaker wrote...
While she is expressing her love for him, not once in the narrative does he explicitly reciprocate the love. With her willful spirit gone, and seemingly desperate grasp for happiness, it is almost as if David is just pitying her. Or maybe I'm putting an unnecessarily dark twist on the story. I blame my most recent English class. Nothing but negative connotations in the books and stories we read.Strange. Though it was made clear that David loved her much earlier given his botched attempt to marry her the first time. Placing his hand over hers must be the first gesture of love he showed though. I see that gesture as a form of consolation after she gave the reasons why she felt listless and sad, namely her horrid memories of fighting a war. Also, it was reassurance that he would marry her after he is done with the war.
Consistent with what I expect of romance, no silly and empty shows of love, just dedication and devotion to duty and work as seen when both of them worked hard to establish control over western half of the country.
xninebreaker wrote...
I don't think you needed the bit about sorting out the marriage at the end. It feels unnecessary, and cutting it out would make the ending flow a bit better I think.Nonetheless, an enjoyable read!
I needed to include the marriage scene. Reflects perfectly what I think marriage ought to be - a very harrowing occasion, not romantic at all. How they can be Lord and Lady if there were no reference made to it?
Male lead is autistic, female lead is ugly, my kind of story. If this ending is not to your liking, I am thinking of preparing another one for you. Of course, this ending was more about Elizabeth's reasons for taking part in that dangerous siege (mainly out a desire to marry David), her relief that all went well and what happened thereafter.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
high_time wrote...
behold.what was once a beautifully written piece, I will transform it into some indescribable schitt with the courtesy of Gizoogle.
proceed with caution.
here its
Da Aristocrat, Da Peasant n' Da City
Spoiler:
I intend to go ahead by copying and pasting our argument in the Cesspit tomorrow. Are you okay with this?
[quote="d(^_^)(^_^)d"]
When you put it like that, it doesn't drag. But when you think about it in terms of the point being the search for Elizabeth like I did when I read it . . .
In media res technique. Not really dissimilar to what you have done for your entry. I agree that unlike your entry that technique was not made clear.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
Yuuki wrote...
leonard267 wrote...
Spoiler:
I enjoyed reading your story man, I kinda tend to enjoy love stories on the battlefield. I don't know whether I read between the paragraphs or not(but I feel I did) update me on the endings :D
@Guys talking about KanKore
Wait guys, I'm collecting my thoughts. I just arrived back to civilization.
『Valentine_K1S5〠wrote...
Kancolle workHi, there welcome welcome. Feel free to express your thoughts more. :'D
I hope that I have properly updated you on one ending. I am considering writing one more ending contingent on whether I want to spend time doing it.
leonard267
FAKKU Non-Writer
I have to commend you on the prologue. Never have I seen such a brief (meaning good; why be complex when you can be simple?) establishment of character and setting. While I much prefer non-fictional descriptions of the universe like the prologue of Lord of the Rings where the author goes into the history and origins of where our heroes come from (the Shire) and conclude the story with a tome of Appendices, I do realise that this story is not exactly fantasy.
I did say that I liked the story but only after reading the first chapter again, again and again. Once I had an idea what happened in the first chapter, the rest of the story fell into place. I need not bother about Em's antics described very well in the following chapters too much. The most important thing in the story was how to deal with her and who she was.
I felt that I was reading Jericho Antares' Winter Contest Non-Entry where the introduction to both characters and setting but it is delivered through dialogue. This presents a few problems for this reader:
1. I can't speed read through the story which is what I do when reading essays and newspaper articles. Important points could be made at the tail end of a dialogue.
Take the dialogue with Fred where the plot takes a backseat and we see a digression about his writing. (What does "Straight to Benjamins" mean?) I believe the main point of visiting Fred was to seek help from him.
I think the introduction was the same where I had to make sense of how being invited to a party and taking over guard duty were relevant to the story. Were Arthur, Bobby and Stephen important characters? (It appears that the answers to my questions were 'no'. Did tell me how our hero felt about his job though.)
2. People who engage in dialogue already know what is happening so they are less likely to bother to orientate the reader on what exactly is happening. In order to find out what is going on, I had to read again. (Though the dialogue between who I suspect is Fred, Arthur and Stephen was really of no consequence to the story. I am of the opinion that the first chapter can begin by going straight to how our hero found Em.)
That is not to say that the dialogue was that much of a problem. It is not to my taste as evidenced from my entry where I put in zero dialogue even though they are plenty of opportunities for me to do so. I thought the naming of your chapters could serve as the remedy to that problem. For example, Chapter 1 can be called "I Found This Lady". Chapter 2 can be called, "I Took Her Home". Chapter 11, "She Saved My Life." Chapter 12 "What on Earth Happened?!" and so on. It summarises the story and the chapters which is what this particular reader likes.
The focus of this story appear to be on the appeal of our hero of a security guard and Em. (That was what I enjoyed and also the reason why I will go too much in detail because it is so much easier to talk about things I don't like.)
I wish that there was more exposition (one of my pet peeves) on what Em was and on what I thought to be the third most important character in the story, the unnamed villain and his motivations. There were a few guesses and speculations but I feel that Em could have explained to our hero what her origins were, our hero could have learnt more about the villain and his bosses perhaps through newspaper reports, company documents or Em herself.
I did not really get the climax of the story where the villain introduced himself and when the villain attacked our heroes in Fred's house. Part of the reason was because the story introduces him and his motivations through dialogue that cannot be expository in nature.
I do find it interesting that I am criticising your work for having too little exposition while you are criticising mine for having too much. I have to say that your characters are more easy to sympathise with than mine because of the dialogue and the first person narration. Mine comes off as some person relating a long forgotten tale (which was my intention and also the written style of the original material that I had to parody).
I did say that I liked the story but only after reading the first chapter again, again and again. Once I had an idea what happened in the first chapter, the rest of the story fell into place. I need not bother about Em's antics described very well in the following chapters too much. The most important thing in the story was how to deal with her and who she was.
I felt that I was reading Jericho Antares' Winter Contest Non-Entry where the introduction to both characters and setting but it is delivered through dialogue. This presents a few problems for this reader:
1. I can't speed read through the story which is what I do when reading essays and newspaper articles. Important points could be made at the tail end of a dialogue.
Take the dialogue with Fred where the plot takes a backseat and we see a digression about his writing. (What does "Straight to Benjamins" mean?) I believe the main point of visiting Fred was to seek help from him.
I think the introduction was the same where I had to make sense of how being invited to a party and taking over guard duty were relevant to the story. Were Arthur, Bobby and Stephen important characters? (It appears that the answers to my questions were 'no'. Did tell me how our hero felt about his job though.)
2. People who engage in dialogue already know what is happening so they are less likely to bother to orientate the reader on what exactly is happening. In order to find out what is going on, I had to read again. (Though the dialogue between who I suspect is Fred, Arthur and Stephen was really of no consequence to the story. I am of the opinion that the first chapter can begin by going straight to how our hero found Em.)
That is not to say that the dialogue was that much of a problem. It is not to my taste as evidenced from my entry where I put in zero dialogue even though they are plenty of opportunities for me to do so. I thought the naming of your chapters could serve as the remedy to that problem. For example, Chapter 1 can be called "I Found This Lady". Chapter 2 can be called, "I Took Her Home". Chapter 11, "She Saved My Life." Chapter 12 "What on Earth Happened?!" and so on. It summarises the story and the chapters which is what this particular reader likes.
The focus of this story appear to be on the appeal of our hero of a security guard and Em. (That was what I enjoyed and also the reason why I will go too much in detail because it is so much easier to talk about things I don't like.)
I wish that there was more exposition (one of my pet peeves) on what Em was and on what I thought to be the third most important character in the story, the unnamed villain and his motivations. There were a few guesses and speculations but I feel that Em could have explained to our hero what her origins were, our hero could have learnt more about the villain and his bosses perhaps through newspaper reports, company documents or Em herself.
I did not really get the climax of the story where the villain introduced himself and when the villain attacked our heroes in Fred's house. Part of the reason was because the story introduces him and his motivations through dialogue that cannot be expository in nature.
I do find it interesting that I am criticising your work for having too little exposition while you are criticising mine for having too much. I have to say that your characters are more easy to sympathise with than mine because of the dialogue and the first person narration. Mine comes off as some person relating a long forgotten tale (which was my intention and also the written style of the original material that I had to parody).
