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Review Requests: OFF
3,273 Public Reviews Given
3,312 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
Template most of the time, covering setting/plot/characters/conflict/resolution if applicable. For shorter works, I concentrate more on feelings evoked.
I'm good at...
Short story, chapter reviews and in-depth reviews.
Favorite Genres
Sci-fi, Romance, mystery, children's
Least Favorite Genres
Historical
Favorite Item Types
Short stories, novel chapters
Least Favorite Item Types
essay, editorial, non-fiction, somebody's homework assignment
I will not review...
XGC, poems, prose. I am an animal activist and vegan, so cruelty or violent, unnecessary, death due to negligence is overwhelming. I am unable to review any pieces involving abuse of any kind to anyone. I like to keep my corner or the world happy, because I grew beyond my "challenges" of childhood and don't want to look back.
Public Reviews
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126
126
Review of More Sue  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
Congratulations on your WdC Anniversary.


Hi Rich. Nixie here.

Time to celebrate your (belated) 13th WdC anniversary!


Title and brief description
I wasn't sure about the title, but I was interested to see what insight might be revealed.

Overall impression
Total confusion in the beginning. I'm guessing there are other 'Sue' stories in your portfolio. Otherwise the story begins much later. I'm sure you had a specific reason for adding all the 'Sue' info. *Wink*

The dialogue was witty and concise and a pleasure to read. Lots of white space helped as well. So many writers use a small font and skimpy spacing, I have to squint to read it.

Can there be a link to the Ref at the bottom. My field of vision is narrow.

Personal reaction
*Laugh* Oh, my. What an absolute example of how to turn things around. If a guy said that to me, I'd walk out. I think (I hope) with more women working, social norms have changed.

And I can't resist adding what happened to my daughter, years ago. Waiting at a stop light, the guy in the car next to her rolled down his window and asked "What's the fastest way to get in to your pants?"
Her response? "Drive straight for two blocks, take a left and go straight to hell."


In the end
I bet the memory of this story will run through my mind for the rest of the evening. Nicely done, despite the confusion, which I'm guessing is on my part. *Headbang*


~Nixie
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
127
127
Review of The Angel Portal  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (3.5)
Congratulations on your WdC Anniversary.

Hi rjsimonson Nixie here to celebrate your 16th WdC Anniversary.


Title and brief description
Irresistible for both. I liked the way the title led to the curiousity shop. It was surprising, and encouraged me to read more.

Overall Impression
Fantastic write, imaginative and fanciful. One never knows might be in a shop like that. The immediate setting was clear in my mind, and I wished I were Julie.

Both sound and smell descriptions added to the ambiance. nicely done.

Personal connection
So, I've always wanted to own a serendipity shop filled with items of curiousity and a cafe in the back. Dreams die hard.

Oops
I found enough errors that took me out of your head space, which was really a shame. Since this was written in 2012, I"m guessing it's unlikely you'll return to edit the story. However, you can email me if you want specifics. *Wink*

Question? What did the golden boy have to do with the cat? Obviously they were one in the same, but was this germane to the story? If boy and cat were one entity, wouldn't the cat have the same color fur as the golden boy? Just a thought. There are more questions I'm pondering.

In the end
What a beautiful conclusion. I liked the wrap-up, but Julie knew the angel before? That didn't make much sense to me. Angels are wondrous. Why didn't Julie see how special her specific angel was? How did the curio cabinet come to be in the store.

The memories were wiped from Julie's mind, and she had no idea how she ended up in the dress shop. Very cool and fitting. Sweet message, too.

I wish I could rate this higher, but with so many mistakes...

~Nixie
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
128
128
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Congratulations on your WdC Anniversary.

Hi FrankenDuf. Nixie here to celebrate your 6th WdC Anniversary.



Major props for writing all these contest entries. I bet the hosts were super happy. I've always wondered how to write a story like this, and now know I can't. *Laugh*

My first impression was that the main character was an animal living in a kennel for strays. (The white van gave me that impression.) Weird, I know. On the second read, I saw that made no sense. (Regina, as an animal, pressing her face against the glass didn't fit.)

Time to re-think. Just because a story is short, it doesn't necessarily mean the plot is simple.

In a few short words, you conveyed apprehension and pathos for Regina. I can see her little face peering through the glass. Way to break my heart, though. She was hoping for a forever home. What a winsome way to convey her experiences thus far. Nicely done.

My only suggestion (thinking of Quills) would be to choose a genre and categories. Even if not for a Quill candidate (I don't think we have that category) these tiny treasures feel undervalued due to their lack of identity.

Knowing how to convey feelings and characters in a few short words, complete with a setting and conflict is truly one of your talents. Thanks for the opportunity to read and learn!

~Nixie
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
129
129
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi Ironworker. Nixie here with an anniversary review.


New Anniversary Review image.


Initial impression

Yes, yes, and okay. *Laugh* Excellent opening salvo. Identify the characters and the conflict. The aliens dubbed [The Nezuar] immediately alerted me. Ah, sci-fi.

Um, my review is forming up to be a blow by blow commentary while I read. Hope that doesn't bother you.

oops
The [D]oorbell rang.
The doorbell rang.

The third paragraph scrambled my thoughts. Judging from other parts of the story, I know you know how to improve it.

And then there's a few verb tense switches that are confusing.
Winston sits up

“As you have surmised, the Doctors question...
Since we're not using the doctor's name, Doctor's should not be capitalized. [doctor's]. Also, that whole sentence is a mouthful. I'm sure you know how to straighten that up. And, that filler word [just] has to go.

I didn't sense too much ongoing objection about the aliens moving in. After all, humans are, or already have, killed the earth. What really got my attention was The Nezuar's compassion for humans. The pain and worry from the alien was touching. The ending was dismaying, though.

I liked this description of passing time.
In a moment of silence that seemed to last an hour...

Nice write! I enjoyed this adventure.

"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
130
130
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi Pepper!

HAPPY 12th WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
*CakeB* "Anniversary Reviews" *CakeB*



You captured all the elements this reader likes. An interesting conflict for your main character, and strong secondary characters.
I can totally see this happening, and the dad's resentment felt fair. I think the same situation would develop even without the money aspect, but you chose an example that punctuated the reason for the split. Otherwise, readers may be asking why.

Even though I have no experience with this situation, I didn't need it to connect. It's tragic when affection or attraction comes from the want of money. Marc did his best to 'compete', but mentioning he shopped at Walmart drove home the point in only a few words. Nicely done.

Oh my goodness. Marc's 'get even' fairy tale amused me. I could see an indignant Meggie spouting her objections to the fairy tale. She did agree with the dad about the nagging part, which made me laugh. But Marc felt better, and since he's the main character, it's his place to complete the story arc.

Which reminds me, spectacular job 'showing' what your characters looked like, without listing the specific aspects, like a list.

I didn't understand why Dudley (perfect name to set the character's image) was the new step-daddy. Had there been one before him? Step-daddy makes sense to me, but not the 'new' part. More heartbreaking would have been if Meggie had called him her new daddy.

I get why you're emphasizing Marc's lack of finances, but sometimes he sounded child-like and whiny.
...big shindig, dressed up all fancy-like.

I also disagree with the portrayal of him being 'less' because of his job.

And then here's Marc internalizing his image of the bed. One of my faves.
Kind of looked like a mosquito net to Marc.

Oops.
"I’m a princess, and princesses are suppose[d] to have royal beds."

Distancing words [felt]
He felt his gut tighten, the acid turning.
Suggest, [his gut tightened, acid churning.]

Filler word. [just]
The man just didn’t play fair.
I think it's perfectly normal for a person to use this word, but in fiction...well...not so much. It doesn't add anything to the story, which means, sorry, [deletion]. *Laugh*

*Right* I've been told in some reviews when I first started here that editors don't like semicolons. Huh. Just some info to pass along.


I can see why this was an editor's pick for a Newsletter. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review your work. *Smile*



Kicking down the walls of normalcy

"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
131
131
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Congratulations on your WdC Anniversary.

Hi Wolfwalker
Nixie here to celebrate your 16th WdC Anniversary.


Title and brief description
After reading the title and brief description, I was already smiling and anticipating how this scenario would play out.

Overall Impression
True, I laughed all the way through, but what really stood out was your unique word choices and sentence structures.

Being who I am, I googled the origin of the phrase. I found several metaphorical ones, but at the top of the page was what I remembered. The usage of the word began in 1900, referring to hoof in mouth, a cattle affliction. Sorry, that's me skating around the intent of this piece, throwing water on the hilarity.

Personal connection
Remember the expression 'measure twice, cut once?' I'm a talk first, think twice. Always after 'putting my foot in my mouth'.
I have a brother who would write something like this, and the story reminded me of him. Thanks for that gift.

In the end
My only reason for the 4.5 was because the font was too small, and there needed to be more white space. My eyes are burning from squinting.

Fantastic write!

~Nixie
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
132
132
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
Hi Snow! Nixie here.

HAPPY 19th! WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
*CakeB* "Anniversary Reviews" *CakeB*



Fantastic. Almost two decades of membership and you're still active. And now you present us with this odd tale. (odd in a good way.)

The dialogue carried the story along. The straight facts from the AI made me wary. Humans are so sure they can take over any planet.

The concise back story fit right in with the flow. Just enough to understand Amber, and not too much to overwhelm.

I sure hope that ship can beat it out of the gravity well supersonic fast!

Oops.
We're not like you, we need real oxygen to breath."
breathe not breath. And what made Amber unlike the others?

before [setting] down in the pilots seat.
sitting? settling?

began to devour the colonist.
colonists?

Thanks for the entertaining read. Sci-fi is my fav genre.

Kicking down the walls of normalcy

"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
133
133
Review of The Birth Of ...  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
Official "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest"  Judges' Review


A child is burdened with the responsibility of saving the earth. That sums up the plot, but the summation does not do the story justice.

I wondered how Natasha's pajamas would be of significance. What struck me the most, other than it showing her vulnerability, was how it was woven in with the orb's appearance. What a beautiful moment when it glowed her colors. An indication that yes, it was here for her. I also liked the further expression of her fragility when she realized she'd have to balance.

There was no explanation for why Natasha was the chosen one, other than her 'feeling it was right'. Had she sensed this moment all of her life?

Who was the narrator in the beginning? An omnipresent POV? The switch to Natasha flowed seamlessly, offset by the stars.

I felt no emotional response to the story, but the message was outstanding, if a bit obvious. Well, to most of humanity, I hope. With no one listening now, it seems unlikely Natasha could save the world. She would need some sort of superpowers or gift.

Since that's my only bone to pick, a 4.5 star rating feels appropriate.

Thanks for your entry!

Nixie judge for "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
134
134
Review of Cecilie  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Official "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest"  Judges' Review



Hi Kåre Enga in Montana

The opening sentence made me laugh. I pictured a young, punk woman, a bit of a rebel, who delighted in the color of the sky complimenting her hair. But, oops, I was wrong. Was the narrator a beast? Descriptions that gave me that impression*Right* (dyed her hair to match pink ears-fur on her spine-but then people came...huge footprints. Am I confused?

What transpired involved some sort of being that expected people to terrify her, as this had defined her life. She reminded me of a teenager thrilled by the idea of scaring everyone.

I didn't expect to see a horse, and I'm not certain how that added to the plot. It sounded as if the horse was also going with her.

Biggest surprise of all, she belonged to the stars? I sensed nothing ethereal or otherworldly about her (other than her long lifespan.) Was she on a planet?

Great description of the setting, which could have been expanded.

I'm happy she found people to guide her home. I know that feeling of not belonging and wish someone would take me home to the stars.

What I liked best? The originality of the second footnote. Most creative.

Nixie-judge for
SURVEY
Short Shots: Official WDC Contest  (ASR)
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
#1221635 by Writing.Com Support






*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
135
135
Review of Outcast  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
Official "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest"  Judges' Review


Hi Beholden *Smile*

So, two questions. Who was the outcast? Why were they 'wrecked' on the planet? Was their ship separated from the camp and the only one that crashed short of their intended destination?

I enjoyed reading your story because of the causal way you led us in to your dream world. It was spoken as if the planet was something we all should be aware of, and that made me feel invited and and immersed in the plot to come. A fair amount of tension drove the plot forward. The characters had to make a decision. It's hard to imagine the seemingly insurmountable task, that trek up the mountain.

Your characters each had specific personalities, with each excelling in different skills.

Your sentence structures were varied. Nicely done. That's one reason this plot was easy to follow.

Now, considering your earlier explanations of the danger climbing the mountains, neither seemed to have a particularly difficult time. A breathless dialogue, or near fall would have emphasized the struggle. i.e. the whole show vs. tell suggestion. You had nearly a thousand more words to play with this conquest. Summing up the experience with these words 'have been told often enough' didn't seem right. There's simply no casual summing up the arduous challenge. After all, this is the characters' conflict that they must overcome.

Good names often draw intrigue. The odd names of the characters and the planet added a sci-fi element to the story. You chose this as your first genre. And rightly so.

It took me a few reads to 'feel' the weight of the conclusion. It was unexpected, but upon reflection, it was both humerous and smart. Someone probably would think them insane.

I liked how the personal question at the end drew me in. If I only knew the particulars mentioned in the beginning, and an expanded scene, I may have rated this a 4.5 *Bigsmile*

Thanks for your entry!

Nixie -judge for the "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
136
136
Review of Holograms  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (2.5)
Official "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest"  Judges' Review


Hi Kotaro,

What a brave and adventurous trek into your story land. The topic is unique, and the resolution surprising. I wondered where the old man lived. For some odd reason, I was picturing a lighthouse. Weird, I know. *Right* (very cool, what happened when Gonzo stepped inside.) There was only scant evidence of a setting.


I'm still trying to wrap my head around what happened. The conclusion was that startling and a total turn-around from what I expected of Gonzo.

So, the old man has several copies of the document. He's waiting for the 'right' person to come along? Who would that be?

Also, how does the story relate to the image prompt? *Confused* I found no grammatical errors. Excellent! The low rating relates to the comments above.


*Right* Thanks for entering the contest!

Nixie - judge for "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest" 



*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
137
137
Review by Nixie
Rated: E | (4.5)
Official "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest"  Judges' Review


Hi Chris,

The rush and immediacy of the plot drove me forward, plunging me into the story. My heart was even beating fast. I'm impressed that everything in this story was pertinent. The foreshadowing of the stars missing proved to be the swing of the story's arc.

At first, I was angry with the dad. So human-like. Shooting blindly toward something he didn't understand. I wanted to cry, thinking the being would be dead. What a surprise when Abigail healed it. A huge sigh of relief from me.

Through the dad's interactions with Abigail, I understood him and loved him for being such a good dad. The point wasn't over-played. Nicely done, especially with a word limitation.

A few spacing issues barred this item from perfect. Four chunky paragraphs threw the story off-balance. In the paragraph beginning with "In a panic" the sentence was too wordy. It was important to emphasize the 'vast open valley' But was [floor?] the correct word.

The originality of the plot and characters that were relatable made reading your work a joy, with a jolt of fear to keep me off-balance. Well done!

Thanks for entering the contest!

Nixie- judge for the "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
138
138
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (2.5)
Official "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest"  Judges' Review


Hi Sci-fi

Thanks for writing this in a bold and larger font. It was easy on the eyes.

I'm sure the plot is fused in your mind, but I found the story as vague as the title. It wasn't always clear who was speaking. There were so many characters in the plot, and that did not help. And I didn't understand the premise. Are the characters mentioned the only ones still alive, under the surface of Galvian? And for the few who are leaving, where are they going?

What is the sickness? At first, I thought you meant the sickness was shared when males and females developed relationships.

Lots of repetition slowed down the reading experience. I lost count of how many times the word 'boring' was used.

Even after reading this four times, I remain baffled. That said, it takes courage to enter this contest. Thanks for taking part. *Smile*

Nixie - judge for "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest" 



*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
139
139
Review of Worlds apart  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi there. Nixie dropping by with a special message for you. An anniversary review!

HAPPY 16th WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
*CakeB* "Anniversary Reviews" *CakeB*


This wasn't an easy piece to review. I wasn't sure how deep the pain would go, as I too have lost a sibling. My sister was only 30 when she died, way back in 1983.

You encapsulated my wild emotions in a few verses. I liked the upbeat feel contrasted by the sorrow. Best of all, the last line. I can still bring my sister to mind, merely by thinking of her. All we leave behind are memories. I wondered why anyone would try to push away memories. However, I respect that everyone processes grief in their own way.

The poem flowed smoothly, but I would have preferred more spacing between lines to show off the rhyming scheme. Long ago, someone mentioned in a review for me, that the reader deserved a better word than simply 'nice'. (line 8) So I'm passing along that thought.

*Heartv*Favorite line, poignant, accurate, and vivid.
"...no where city"

Nice write. *Smile* *Hug1**Frown**Hug2*



signature image

"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
140
140
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | N/A (Review only item.)
Hi Hooves. Another port scan review from guess who? *Smile*

Initial Attraction
The title piqued my curiousity, and the brief description sent my mind scrambling down the hallways of my past.

Overall Reaction
The uniqueness of the first stanza lit the path to understanding and appreciating this poem. Right away, I knew this was an elderly woman, and I can 't think of a more original way to show this. (I didn't even read the note until after I began the review. That's how eager I was to make the discovery.)

I liked this free-flowing poem that was not tied down by any rules or a specific style. The large bold font eased my eye-strain. Sometimes, it's the little stuff that counts.

I can't imagine a nursing home with free-roaming cats, but the irony? What your aunt avoided all her life found her in the end? In a way, it felt like comedic relief, but that wasn't the significant impact.

Personal Connection
My grandmother made afghans all the time. She never looked in her yarn basket, just fished around for the pieces. The result? Some truly horrible mismatches, uniquely Grandma's. She made one for each of my children, at birth. It was so long ago, the blankets are long gone.

And in the end?
Are you trying to knock me over and blow me down with such beautiful sadness? Because it's working. My grandma's blankets may not have lived on, but the tenderness of your last two stanzas gave me pause. Honestly, I held my breath a bit so none of the magic could slip away. Wonderful writing. *Heartv*

Personal image. One 1/4 of the inner me.

Overwatch Guardian
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
141
141
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+
Hi Hooves. Nixie here again. *Smile*

Thoughts for you to chew on.

Cool title. I had no clue as to what might happen in this story, and I like it that way. Even the brief description was cloudy, so I knew this would be an adventure.

You are a woman of many talents. Just when I think I've 'got a handle' on your style, a story like this pops up.

I'll admit to thinking 'what the heck?' while reading. But I was laughing all the way through as I read.

You found a multitude of ways to remind the reader of the narrator's cow-ness. And then twisted it around a bit via multiple mentions of the Vera Bradley purse.

I'd have to break the reviewing rules against too much copy/paste to highlight all my favorite sentences. Okay, just one. Nope. Can't do it. Every time I single out a sentence as the best, I see all the others.

Did I detect a bit of some muck-slinging at the way our government is total chaos. Especially now that we're a split nation. And that's all I care to say about politics.

I had such a wonderful time reading this. It's the first time I've ventured over to the pastures of your cow-persona. I've always wondered how that came to be.

Finding comedy anywhere seems impossible these days. Thanks for giving me a reason to smile. My heart is less burdened now. Do you see the talent you have for making people (me anyhow) connect with your writing?

Reviewing your work was

My Pleasure tks.


Nixie
Overwatch Guardian
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
142
142
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
Hi Hooves. *Smile* This is review #1 from my package at Sisco's auction.



*Baretree3*
The Hook
I am terrified of squirrels with their bulging eyes and brash behaviour. One time at a rest stop, a squirrel stole a candy bar right out of my hand. So with the title and brief description you chose, reading this was a no-brainer. I also wanted to ensure we were talking about the same rodent. Even though bushy-tailed was a giveaway.

*Baretree3*
A closer look
The unusual formatting was unexpected, but this was an easy read. The prompt words were sewn in seamlessly, no bumps along the way. I liked how the tension built sentence by sentence. You had my heart pounding.

*Baretree3*
Emotions evoked
Maybe the most amusing part was your husband's reactions. Men. The back and forth dialogue delighted me. An amusing way to drive a plot. *Thumbsup* Men can drive a sane woman up the wall. And they clearly don't comprehend how to handle an upset wife. Laughter? Unforgivable. But, of course, they have the most logical course of action, which is so aggravating.

Excellent use of forewarning when you mentioned the 'thin' robe. I wondered where it would come into play. I thought maybe you'd get locked out, but, sorry, what really happened was even funnier. *Laugh* Nice neighbors, though.

Vivid descriptions allowed me to enter the scene as if I were there. Your sense of humour is sharp and witty.

I'm not comma queen, and I don't see the point in mentioning misplaced ones. This sentence is only to backup my rating.

*Baretree3*
A closed book=lasting impression
Combining my personal connection and your experience definitely leaves a lasting impression in my mind. Well done.

~Nixie



Love this image from Brooke! Personal signature

"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" Overwatch Guardian



*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
143
143
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (5.0)
Hi Nixie here. I found your item via random review


*Vine1* Initial reaction
Since I'm a cat person, I couldn't wait to read this. I saw the story reviewed on the public review page and posted as the winner on the Newsfeed.

*Vine2* Overall Impression
Absolutely hysterical and well-done. I liked the unique topic and the interview formatting. I think cats will take over the world. They are way too clever.

And you're clever as well. You have an excellent writer's voice and a startling, unique humorous side. I rarely read comedy since I'm more of a dark person, who doesn't like to laugh. Well, you got me good. Thanks a lot for making me laugh. Is that sarcastic or true? A bit of both, light on the sarcasm. The cat's various positions and antics were easy to see in my mind. Especially the meerkating one.

what an original idea to have the cat confess to modern day events. The Suez Canal catastrophe, indeed.


*Vine1* Personal Connection
A feral cat chose me, years ago, when she walked into my apartment. Now, she's an excellent time keeper. She wakes me if I'm still asleep at eight. She meows around me when it's time for dinner, and again for bed. She's persistent. She's not like the cat in this story. I wouldn't want to be the owner.

*Vine1* That's a wrap
I hope many others stop by to read this. You may force other darklings to smile. Outstanding write!




image for when I feel dark

Nixie Overwatch Guardian
"WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" 


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
144
144
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi Sonali! Lucky me, I landed here via read and review. *Smile*



*Baretree3*
The Hook
The title of this poem made me feel light. There's really no spring in Florida, just cooler and hot.

*Baretree3*
Emotions evoked

Whenever I read your entries, I find words that don't appear in my vocabulary. It gives everything you write an exotic feeling that takes me away from my computer and lake view, imagining what you're seeing.

The words are unusual, far from what one might normally read about this topic. Words like vernal equinox, and active verbs like caress, comb and ruffle. That's quite an assortment that arouses the senses. Although the the sentence lengths were unequal (a quibble of mine) the first and longest line began my journey with something you must see every day. Olive trees. I wonder what they look like? Other than the images on google, that is. Do they have a particular smell? Can you pick them? Olives are the best, and I have many varieties in my 'fridge'.

And to be even more picky, I prefer stanzas, rather than a block of text.

*Baretree3*
Lasting impression
You must know that last line was a zinger. The entire poem was delicate, and that's what made those last words so perfect for this piece.

Beautiful write.

Love this image from Brooke! Personal signature

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Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi Kenword. How has your anniversary month been?
(I count months, not days, because I'm so often late.) *Facepalm* Anyway~

HAPPY 11th WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
*CakeB* "Anniversary Reviews" *CakeB*



Ugh. You wrote a story about one of the worst happenings of where I live. One little dog begins yapping, followed by another, and answered by a third with a deep growl. Most likely a monster dog. I don't understand how people can be so unkind and not take neighbors into their considerations.

Lucky for me, you wrote a humorous story which made me laugh.

The details in the beginning may have been dry with passive sentences, but your writing voice is strong, so you captured me. Early on, I liked the thought of a 'blank canvas' for the wife to demonstrate her artistry and satisfy her needs.

From there, the story expanded and gently unfolded the flowing plot. The story had an air of authenticity. I was able to draw a picture in my mind. Too many moves in and out though--there was bound to be trouble on the horizon. I think lots of people wouldn't fess up to their dog being the culprit. Great Danes, yikes! They are beautiful creatures, though.

~You need some more spacing in the paragraph beginning with "The new next door neighbor..."

And the story completed with quite the kicker. Ugh. Do I sense a pattern forming? Will that neighborhood always be plagued with barking?

Martin solved it all with one sentence. Superb conclusion. I enjoyed the humor throughout. *Smile*




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146
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Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
Hi Sonali. Apologies for missing your anniversary day.

HAPPY WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
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Reaction at the last line? *Laugh* Good one.

You chose an interesting conflict for this entry. Who'd ever think about a confrontation over a newborn and a blanket. My grandmother used to make afghans for every grandchild. She was 'old school' and never bothered to make the colors match. Whatever was in her basket was knitted into the blanket for some (sometimes) hideous combinations.

I really like Grandma Kay. She's a lady with a strong backbone who doesn't give up. Her conversation with the new nurses showed this. I smiled at her tenacity. Excellent dialogue remained consistent all the way through. Her character felt authentic, and I was so sad when they turned her away. But I did wonder if a wool blanket would irritate a newborn's skin. I'm allergic.

The family here sounded like a close-knit group. And they all loved each other. Even if it wasn't specifically stated, the overall effect of the words created this sense of unity.

I didn't expect the grandmother to come up with that zinger of a last line, though. The unexpected surprised me, again, as so often happens in your stories. I was hoping to find another cultural story I hadn't read. Those are my favorite. They all deserved a quill, and I'm sorry the chance to nominate slipped by. Maybe this year?

~Nixie



Glitter horse image and me

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147
147
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Hi Queen. *Crown* Nixie here, popping in with a celebratory review.

HAPPY 9th WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
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It took some amount of time to peruse your port and find a story that jumped out at me, apart from all the others. You're a prolific writer. *Thumbsup*

I chose this story because of the title. (the unique word solace tells me in advance this walk is soothing.) I don't know. I simply liked the sound of it. I too, find peace wandering in the woods. Unless there's other people making noise.

I wondered how hard it would be for me to read this essay. I'm sorry for all your losses. The inherent question is one I've never been able to answer. Which is easier to deal with? An anticipated death or an unexpected death. My dad died in his 80's. An expected death. I profoundly miss him. My sister died in her 30's, leaving behind three children. My dad left a void. My sister's death still impacts me. I'm lost without her.

I agree with you. Simply because a person has lost touch with a friend doesn't make the death easier to reconcile. If my best friend from the 1990's died, I'd be sad, exactly for the reasons you stated.

Overall, the read was easier than I expected. I wasn't devastated because your approach was matter-of-fact, rather than overly emotional. Nice wording about your mom's death. (end of her struggles.) We can find a slice of peace, knowing that even though a loved one has left us...ok, I can't write about this anymore. *HeartBroken*

*Star* What really stood out and will remain in my mind is the last sentence. Such profound thinking matches up with my feelings. I try to make memories for the ones who survive my death, because, as you stated, that's how we go on. In our memories.

The last paragraph made up the bulk of your essay. Maybe since both your parents had somewhat expected deaths, an unexpected one hurt more. Anyhow, I still don't have an answer.

Here's to more solace in the woods. *Trees*

~Nixie *Heart*

Kicking down the walls of normalcy

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Review of Down in the Dumps  
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
Hi Percy. Nixie here, bearing a small gift.

HAPPY WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
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Wow, you really hooked me with this story. It's a shame you didn't continue it. I'm already drawn to your main character and wondering about his backstory. In fact, I like him so much, him doing something awful seems incomprehensible.

Seriously, a detailed and highly visual opening scene demonstrated his character in only a few words. The inner dialogue added a personal touch. The only problem is the sentence beginning with the gerund [slapping]. He can't both be slapping his hands and throwing the bag in the trash. It's an easy mistake to make, but once aware of it, the impossibility shines through. You could try something like this. [He slapped the salt dust from his hands and then tossed the empty bag...] you'd have a sensical sentence. Still, those gerunds can be difficult niggles to work with.

Twice, you described Manny as looking like he came from Florida. Oops. Also, when Manny sets his bike aside, there's a lot of [it] floating around in there. I like the way the sentence began with [10 speed] but somewhere along the way you might want to consider throwing [bike] in one more time, rather than [it].

The word [awkward] was used twice to demonstrate the situation.

Otherwise, this story is amazing. It doesn't sound as if things will be great for Steuzi, rather it sounds ominous. But a man with his back against the wall...he'll probably take the job. So the reader is left guessing and wishing for another chapter. It's difficult to imagine no one has read or reviewed this piece. Maybe someone will read my review and check out the story.

*Star* Highly recommended read!




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149
149
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi Angelica!

HAPPY 15th WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
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I waffled over the decision to review this blip of a story. The beginning discouraged me because it's so vague. She 'went over' where? What is the character's name?

Verb tense. That first sentence is present tense, the next is past.

She chose a house just off the interstate?

You chose several distancing words. (decided, 'seemed like a very long time) [just] [I heard] [managed to find the college]
One example: ]I hopped into my red Honda and drove to the college.] It's a good idea to specify a time, rather than saying it was very long. Many more details are needed to flesh out the story. It's a little confusing.

What I really liked was the message, as hinted at in the brief description. I've resigned myself to living alone for the rest of my life, but do wonder about chance encounters. When I leave the house I dress nicely, specifically for an opportunity.

So it makes perfect sense for these two characters to meet in line. A bit of tension and curiousity let my mind wander. Hmm. He's headed for the dorm, she's bought a house. Will they have classes together? The concept of a chance meeting blossoming into something more intimate pleased me. There was no specificity here, something I enjoyed. I was able to speculate on my own.

Anyhow, this seems to be the beginning of a project, and they can be messy. I sometimes use 'work in progress' if what I'm writing doesn't seem complete, but I'd like feedback on what I've already written. Of course, I have to start writing again for that to happen. *Laugh*

Here's to happy accidents and account anniversaries. *Confettip* *Partyhatp*


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150
150
Review by Nixie
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi Elizabeth!

HAPPY WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM
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First and foremost, I'd like to thank you for the presentation. I wish everyone would write in a larger font with more spacing. The overall appearance was aesthetically pleasing, making this plot flow smoothly.

Truth be told, I've never entered this activity. I didn't know what to expect, so the reading seemed a little dry. Towards the end I caught on and understood the intent. Great job establishing your characters.

How true the last line. Money goes so fast, and it's almost impossible to resist the latest 'bright and shiny.' Aside from necessities, my money stretches to buy crystals. I have to be careful. Once I start looking, it's impossible not to purchase one. However, I'm aware of my limited income and proceed with caution. What a shame the kids blew their inheritance. I imagine the rest of their lives won't be easy. They must have indulged themselves due to growing up with little money to spare.

Since this is merely an introduction to characters, the advice I usually give doesn't really apply here. But something to think about. Try to open with a catchy first sentence of paragraph and avoid sentences with the word [was] for a more interesting reader experience. *Wink*

I see you were also limited by a word count, which can be challenging. Hopefully, I drew the correct conclusion about this being an introduction to characters. I have a solid feeling for the kids, bolstered by a back story. Ha, if really believe in the last sentence. They're in for a harsh reality.

Other than the excess [was] occurrences, I didn't note any other squeaky doors that distracted.



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