This is such a challenging question. The statement that hit me hardest in that interview is the one that hit her: Do you really believe in this book? If you do, how would you behave?

That has seriously impacted the way I think about marketing. I need to chew a little more before saying more!

Hahaha! Very cute. 🙂 In spite of all good sense, I found myself rooting for Mitch – even though I also wanted to hit him. Good job!

I caught one typo: the toy gun slipped out [of] his hand and landed on the coarse carpet

And for the record, “Machismo Magazine” is hilarious. 😉

This. Is. BEAUTIFUL.

The poetry is gorgeous as it is, and then lines like This state of the art dairy barn designed by Wisconsin architects was a model for the dairy state just make it even more delightful. WOW. I’m in love with the mood and pacing and phrasing. I can’t honestly think of anything to critique at the moment! I just enjoyed it so much as a reader that it took me out of myself (which is what good writing is supposed to do).

Wow. That is a gut-punching story!

This is my favorite bit:

Pride and laziness can kill a soul. Maybe that’s why yuppies hate street kids and street kids hate yuppies. Both suffer from the same disease, but dress it up differently. We do our best to hide it, make it look pretty, but when we can see the same disease in someone else, we get scared.

I think the only thing I’d suggest is that sometimes, you do the exact same thing I do: the words are so far in the character’s head that the reader isn’t quite sure what they mean. (I know that problem all too well!)

Example:

as he waved his pierced nipples.

I really can’t picture what that means, since nipples generally aren’t long enough to wave. 🙂 But I think I understand what you were saying!

Keep up the great writing!

Well, I did it! I admitted something I’d honestly feared folks would label me “nuts” for… and to my amazement, it’s common. COMMON! I’d never have known if I hadn’t made it public. WHEW.

http://ruthannereid.com/stuff/freak-myself-out/

Huh! I didn’t see that coming at all. What an absolutely interesting story! I love the twist – harbingers of good things. This woman seems like an amazing character. She’s clearly been through hell, and yet survived, and maybe now has a chance to thrive. Is she part of a bigger story?

One suggestion: I’d like to see something to indicate scene change, just as a matter of scene flow. For example:

She closed her laptop and leaned back, resting her head against the soft chair. He’s gone. They can rest easier now, he’s gone.

Several days later in a sprawling field just outside of town, Emma’s dog, Blue, trotted at her side as she walked.

If that had some kind of break, it would grant more of a feeling of time passing. For example:

She closed her laptop and leaned back, resting her head against the soft chair. He’s gone. They can rest easier now, he’s gone.

* * *

Several days later in a sprawling field just outside of town, Emma’s dog, Blue, trotted at her side as she walked.

Now, it feels like the ending of a scene and the beginning of another one.

I really hope you have more story with her and her dog. I love that she named him Blue. 🙂

Oh, MY! She has a spider’s bite! Now I really want to know what happened! Am I allowed to say, “why did you stop there?” 🙂

Wow. This must be part of a novel, yes? I have this sort of Master and Commander-era vision in my head of hobbit-like people (which may be totally wrong, of course!). I would LOVE to read more!

I absolutely love this. I’m unable to have children of my own, and this description is so beautiful; I could feel your baby in your arms with you the first time you held little Jade!

This is a brilliant idea, to write this down for a future time. I even like the fact that you have no qualms describing the doctor’s discomfort at being wrong. 😉

Keep it up! I can’t wait to read more.

SO cute! When the little Bat Boy’s tear slid down his cheek, I actually said, “Awww!” out loud. Poor little guy. I’m so glad he had a happy ending.

I really loved this! Your voice is fabulous. We’re supposed to give one helpful criticism, but for the life of me, the only thing I can think of is to replace the word “whizz” because the slang meaning (urination) would get any kids I read this to giggling hysterically, and not for the right reasons. 😉

I can’t wait to read more from you!

These are fabulous! What a history! And what an awesome fellow to have married. 🙂 I hope you write them all down! This kind of story needs to be told in a world where A/C and internet have erased most adventures.

Oooh, intriguing! I really like the feel of this; I can see the dark jungle all around.

Question: why the choice of the world “cub?” (I’m just curious!)

First off, you made me actually squirm at the description of the thing in his bedroom. It was vivid and really easily pictured – great (and terrifying) job!

I might suggest watching paragraph breaks, like the one below:

‘What the hell is it?’ he thought. His heart beat so hard and fast he was sure the thing would hear it.

‘Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to be interested in me,’ he tried, but failed, to reassure himself.

That would more clearly be his train of thought without the paragraph break.

Sidenote: I love John’s reasoning.

And what had happened to Mister Duncan?
Had he just left? Had the thing done something to him? Taken him somewhere? Killed him? Eaten him? Had Mister Duncan become the thing?

I’m not sure I would have thought of so many possibilities. Fantastic!

I just HAVE to ask: were the pills responsible for the creature? Or was he going to get drugged up and then eaten (or worse)? And the biggest question of all… What happened to Mister Duncan?

Great story!

Hi, Kate! I just wanted you to know that I understand. My mom died almost exactly two years ago, and it rocked me. Hang in there; keep moving forward. I’m sorry for your grief!