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1,125 Public Reviews Given
2,498 Total Reviews Given
Public Reviews
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251
251
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
Hi J. Allen,

This is an interesting and engaging piece. I really like your writing style.

My comments:

Look over your first paragraph. It is one long sentence. You can break it up into two or three sentences and won't leave your readers breathless.

,the one I've had since I was seventeen hunting with my dad.
This doesn't read right and does run on.

Though nothing was actually *broke,
*broken

I grabbed for my compass to check the storm's direction........it was gone.
First, you only need three dots. There are several places where you used so many.
Second, this sounds funny when read. What is gone? The storm's direction? That is how it came across to me.

But let's not go there again, it's a sore subject with me.
Love this!*Smile*

The pain in my elbow and shoulder *is worse/About here, you start switching verb tense from past to present and back. Go back and make sure your tenses match up.*Smile*

The description of Stoli is great!

"You guys made it through okay?" he asked *suprisingly.
How about ", suprised."

Your descriptions and style bring your readers along on this adventure. Being, ahem, 40ish myself, I could relate to your plight.
Good work!

~Nikola

252
252
Review of Friesian Horse  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi Mystica!

This caught my eye as I love this breed also. They are gorgeous, aren't they?

I wouldn't leave a space between lines in each stanza. It's okay to group stanzas together...line-wise. Do that even make sense?

I'd go back and play with this some more. You could really do justice to the breed. Many people have never heard of them.

Best of luck and keep writing!
~Nikola
253
253
Review of Just Exist  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Penny,

This is a very powerful poem!

I could see and feel all the stages of your relationship with your cousin.

It does read a bit choppy in places. Read it aloud and see how you feel. Perhaps that is what works best for such an emotional piece?

Thank you for sharing this!
~Nikola
254
254
Rated: E | (4.5)
Ann,

I love nature poetry and this sings! Your use of imagery brings the lake alive and i can see the sunset, colors and all.

My only comments:
In the second stanza, you use "day" fairly close together. Try something different to liven it up.

And it gets bumpy in a few places.

Other than those minor things, I feel it's a delightful piece of poetry.

~Nikola
255
255
Review of Colours of Life  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Rosebud,

I love the promise and hope this poem causes me to feel. I often find mt peace in nature, so the images you call to mind relax and sooth.

My one comment:

It does read a little bumpy in a place or two. Read it aloud and see what you think.

Thank you for sharing this!

~Nikola
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256
256
Review of Death's Newhire  
Rated: E | (4.0)
I like this poem! You've taken a serious subject and added a spice of humor to it.

My comments:
"Newhire" is two words--new hire.

"Under ground" is one word.

I wouldn't capitalize every line, only those which start a new sentence.

I believe my favorite lines are the last two:
Is that they lie quietly in a box six feet underground
and hold their breath forever.


Good read!
~Nikola

257
257
Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
This is a good piece! You've given Roland a life that causes the reader to both be annoyed with his constant optimism, yet feel for him as well. Roland has the right outlook, he's just sharing it with those that don't care or don't believe as he does.

My comments:

A few misspellings actually.

Highschool should be two words.

"Freinds" should be "friends."

"Kwis" should be "kiwis."

...like a *wait was off him...
*weight

Oh and you say in your blurb this piece is about the "life and death" of your character. You never get to his death. Are you planning to add to this?

Good read! Keep it up!

~Nikola
258
258
Rated: E | (4.5)
What a neat story, Bill!
You give your characters such life.

One little thing...
"he's coming all right."

Capitalize "He's" and you're smooth sailing.

~Nikola
259
259
Rated: E | (4.0)
T.S.,

I like the soft imagery you call up with your words. I see a full moon on a winter's night and feel cozy.

I feel that you could take your lines and break them down for your stanzas. Couplets would work nicely here. I feel it would enhance the look and feel of your verse.

One spelling comment: "whick" should be "wick."

Nicely written!
~Nikola

260
260
Review of Forever Knight  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Ah, yes Renassaince Faires...I love them!

This is a sweet poem that evokes those faires and our romantic dreams of those days of old.

My one comment is that this reads a bit bumpy. Some lines with more syllables than others. Perhaps work on that a bit.

Keep Writing!
~Nikola
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261
261
Review of Armed Robbery  
Rated: 18+ | (3.5)
Stella,

A very compelling story. I've been held up at gunpoint and could relate to quite a bit of this.

My comments:

This comes across as very cold and precise. I wouldn't change a thing about your thoughts and actions. But, perhaps more description would help your readers feel this terrible block of time.
Describe the gunmen, the store, customers and jewels.

co workers
One word.

The same with "gunmen."

"cooned" should be "crooned."

I truly feel if you add those emotive descriptions, this can be even more powerful! I'm so glad everyone came through with no major injuries!

~Nikola
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262
Rated: E | (5.0)
Ronnie,

Very nice!

You are very eloquent and your thoughts come across well.

This is a piece that should be revisited. I feel I can read it today and take away one thought or feeling, then read another day only to take away something entirely different.

Great work!

~Nikola
263
263
Review of Roasted Wood  
Rated: E | (4.0)
I love the imagery you've used! I so love autumn. Reading this brings me to that cozy time of year.

My comments:

Perhaps make stanzas by placing what is after each comma in the next line. You could make a new stanza with each new sentence. Does that make sense?

I usually ask for a poet to watch out for those "small" words. In this case, they add to the conversational feel of the piece.

I really love the feel you invoke in these words. Very nice!

~Nikola
264
264
Review of The Quiet Hero  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Wow!
This is a very touching poem! And, a piece of history preserved.

I like the conversational feel to it. I feel it brings your readers into the world described. Living it as both men do.

The only criticism I can offer is that it is a bit choppy. Perhaps you can read it aloud and find where to remedy that. I'm not sure myself for, as I said, it has a conversational feel.

Thank you for sharing this piece with us!

~Nikola
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265
265
Review of The Ways of Life  
Rated: E | (3.0)
HI,

I like your use of words.

My comments:
Read this aloud and eliminate all those small words (the, a, etc). They only serve to clutter up your work.

Try also, to break this up into stanzas or, at the very least, shorter lines. This is very choppy and doesn't need to be so. It doesn't flow and has the appearance of a paragraph rather than a poem.

This has great potential. Work with it and it will sing!

~Nikola
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266
266
Review of Thunderstorm Lady  
Rated: ASR | (4.0)
Goldie,

I love the imagery you used in this piece! I could see and feel the storm.

My one suggestion is to read this aloud. Where can you toss some of those little words? (and, the, etc)
I think that if you clean this up, you will have a really nice poem!
Nice work!

I plan to feature this is next week's Drama Newsletter.

~Nikola
267
267
Review of The Music Critic  
Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Susan,

In your folder intro, you mentioned you were still working on this. So here's my views...

He was innocent in a world crowded with fools-fools who couldn't understand the torment...
Place a period after "fools" and then begin a new sentence.

It was all her-her and those damn cymbals
Perhaps a comma here instead of the dash.

But one day-the day he'd never forget-the cymbals came.
This just doesn't read right to me. Not sure what to suggest here.

,but it was too late, they said, too late to stop it now.
Who is "they"?

Overall, I feel I need to know more about Darryl. It is never explained why he shuts himself away or what memories the cymbals trigger. I'd like to know more about him and what makes him the way he is.

He searches out ways to murder the girl. What did he come up with? What did he disregard? How did he lure her to him so that he could carry out his deed?

Lastly, I'm unclear on the significance of the cat. He is antisocial, but seems to take to the cat right away. I see the irony in the cat's former owner, but I feel more explanation is needed on his actions here.

I see a story here...a good one. Keep working with it! It just needs some lovin' care!

~Nikola
My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Go Noticed





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268
Review of Call Me Candy  
Rated: E | (4.5)
This is a bit of nice writng. I like the poetic feel and the imagery.
You choose your words well and it shows.

Thanks for sharing this. I look forward to reading more from you!

~Nikola
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269
269
Rated: E | (4.0)
This piece brought me to tears. How emotional and touching!

My comments:

Leave a space between paragraphs. This will make it easier on your readers.

When you change between characters in dialog, use a new paragraph. This, too, will make things easier on your readers. They will know that there is a change in dialog.

Put Judith's prayer in italics. This will set it apart and make it stand out.


Go back and play with this a bit more. Your dialog is good. I feel it needs more description of people and places. Also, maybe some more, I don't know, background on Alexis' illness.

I really like this. A little work will make it an excellant story!

~Nikola
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270
270
Rated: 18+ | (5.0)
Mariposa,

You didn't say, what mark you earned for this piece, but I would hope it would be an A+.

This is well researched and thought out. You presented the facts in a clear manner.

Most of this, due to community work I do, didn't surprise me. However, I was startled by
premature babies, low birth-weight babies, and those with cerebral palsy and mental retardation are at an elevated risk for abuse.

Thank you for posting this in your port. This is a subject that cries out for more education.

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271
271
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Thank you Sunflower!

I have panic disorder too and have always been very open with people about it with no problems.
When I was first diagnosed with bipolar, I remember telling one of my college advisors. She and I had always had a friendly relationship. When I told her about my diagnosis, she got this frozen smile on her face and her entire demeanor changed. Since that day, I am very selective about who I tell.

~Nikola
272
272
Review of The Walk  
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
Susan,

Wow! This is a great read.
I enjoyed the twists and turns. It's amazing what a simple walk can turn into.
Your imagery and word pictures of small-town Texas are dead on. I grew up in a small town there and so much rang true.

In the third sentence, you need to capitalize the first word. Just a small error that we, as writers, often fail to catch.

I like this story as stands, but I also think you could go back and play some more...really make it shine!
I plan to feature this in this week's Drama newsletter.
~Nikola
273
273
Review of Sometimes  
Rated: ASR | (4.5)
Hi Tresa,

I really liked this story! I like the way in which it is told. It's straightforward and easy to understand.

I think what I love most about this is the lesson it puts forth. It is one that everyone should heed. Our time is very precious.

The one comment I have:
"hiprocrit" should be "hypocrite"

Job well done! And welcome to the site!
I plan to feature this in this week's Drama newsletter.
~Nikola
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274
274
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Hi Kare Enga!

Wow! What a powerful poem!
I really like the way you use the change ie:tsu...tsu...tsu...

It slows the pace of the poem and gives your readers some time to reflect on your words, building towards the creshendo at the end.

Your imagery is poetic and strong, drawing your reader in and holding them.

This is excellant!
~Nikola
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275
275
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi Jimi,

Hendrix was one of the best guitarists, wasn't he?
This piece is a nice nod toward his legacy and that it still thrives today.

With poetry, try to say as much as possible with as few words as you can. I do like the conversational feel to this. However, I believe you could lose some of the "smaller" words (the's and such).
Read it aloud and see how you feel.

~Nikola
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