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1,497 Public Reviews Given
1,959 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
I have a form I use for reviews. I look for a Goal, Motivation, Conflict and Resolution. It also allows me to tell what I liked and what I thinks needs improving. In my reviews I may make suggestions by adding my take on what the author is trying to say. Purely a suggestion to take or leave as needed.
I'm good at...
Giving in depth and fair reviews. I usually review stories that interest me. I don't always like them but they have promise and potential. I am fair but I AM reviewing. I do not review grammar or spelling. I do point out past and present tenses as well as the over use of WAS, WENT, THE and THAT in one story so watch those.
Favorite Genres
inspirational, mystery,action/Adventure, paranormal and anything that falls into those broad genre, some fantasy and comedy
Least Favorite Genres
Vampires,YA or adult. This genre is overrated and unless you write much better than Steph Meyer, I probably won't read it. Most Non-fiction unless the premise interest me. Always worth an ask.
Favorite Item Types
Everything in the STATIC file except the ones listed below: Look down
Least Favorite Item Types
Appendix, bulletin, campfire, in n out, editorial,letter/memo, lyrics, outline, preface, script/play, Poetry.
I will not review...
Poetry. I don't understand this style and don't feel confident to review it. Novel or novella, I reserve the right to refuse to review. Not to hurt feelings, but time wise it may be something I can't give good attention to, but always ask.
Public Reviews
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76
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Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (4.0)
There is no way too review what is a personal description of daily life. The style is the same way the dementia patient thinks and speaks. There is nothing wrong with the style.
There are a few missing letters. Look back over it and fill what's not there.
I hope you continue to write this same type of diary every few weeks. Writing it down not only is a release but it's a record. The funny things you can laugh at, but feel guilty about the humor. Then there are the sad but irritating actions that seem to fill the days.
I like that you tell it all. The good the bad an the ugly.


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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77
Review of Marie  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.5)
Dear zarkianmouse Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: The storyline caught my attention. I'd had a past love, or thought of it as love at the time. I wanted to see where you would go with this story. I kept reading to the end to find where the love came from. Where the relationship you intimated became fact.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? The writer desires to tell the reader about a particular relationship they had in the past in the form of a "Letter to the Lover" so to speak. The telling involves a lot of near misses and some actual contact. The story reveals there was no relationship. It was all in the writer's mind.

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? The writer reveals to the intended receiver that they fell in love with them. There isn't any actual revelation. We are just told how the writer would have followed the person anywhere. What distracted me in this letter was the way its laid out. From the recent past to the middle past then the first meeting or so.

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? The biggest conflict is the writers lack of self-confidence. Also the insecurity to approach the person. There is a definite feel of "safe love." Where one loves from afar because the fear of rejection, or an actual response.

*Pencil* Resolution: I think the idea is good. I got a deeper sense of what was going on then the writer may have wanted to reveal.


*Pencil* What do I think needs work: I think you need to take it apart and rework it. There are duplicate ideas given in different areas. You might want to start from the first time you met. Your feelings and how they grew. The reader never gets that part.
Then how you feel and your actions during the years you were infatuated with this person. I never got how they 'HELPED" you. You joined a church group because they did. I don't get that this person was even aware of you at all. Never really saw you as you stayed in the background. If you really looked at what happened. They had nothing to do with your choices. That was all you. You didn't show how they influenced your choices, my guess is because they didn't. They were your excuse for making very wise decisions.
You wrote this the way you thought about it. Now go back and write it from the beginning to the end.



*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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Review of The Sphere  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (3.0)
Jay stepped into the sphere for his first fight, the boy he was fighting hovered a few inches above the ground, a confident smirk on his face. A flyer. They were damn hard to fight. Jay was no flyer. There was a big debate over whether flyers should be moved up to the Major Power’s division. As yet they hadn’t.
Fighting a flyer presented a lot of challenges that you didn’t face with most abilities. It added a verticality to the fight that you didn’t get with any other fighters. Well other than teleporters; but they were in the majors.
Of course Jay’s ability - accelerated healing - changed fights up quite a bit as well. But usually it only meant they went on for a bit longer because of the increased ability to take a beating.
There was no argument as to whether Jay’s power should be moved up a class. Even here, in the Minor Power division, accelerated healing was seen as a weak ability, and there was actually some argument to put it down to the lowest power class of the three competitive classes - the Gifted division. Where Jay would find himself among such terrifying competitors as the guys with superhuman lung capacity or the ones with adhesive skin - whose only real advantage over a normal human was their ability to climb - slowly - up the side of the sphere.


Action! Here is a suggestion that lets the reader know what is going on and where.

I'm going to put this out here. If your target audience is, say 13-16, they might get past this section. Anything less and it will be left on the floor. As with YA you have to start with action they can understand and connect with.
Jay stepped into the SHPHERE. The glass dome let in light. Diffused, but there were clouds he hoped to be able to see when the fight finished.
His blue eyes searched the arena for his opponent. Something flew by him, barely missing him and knocking him back against the wall.
A FLYER!! OH Brother! this was not going to be easy. He kept his eye on the boy swooping and shooting straight into the air then plunging to the floor, pulling up short before crashing.
Jay adjusted his gear and walked to his safe zone. Here he could come and regroup or "heal" if needed. He dropped the bag on to the bench. He was a Healer. That fact just upped the ante for the fight. He could stay in the game longer than the flyer. He shrugged, that was what put him in this position in the first place

I'm not rewriting your story. I want you to see the difference in telling it from inside the person's head with action and not just TELLING the reader as a narrator. Kids like action. They want to SEE what's going on Visualize it. Can you SEE the difference in what I wrote versus what you did?
I think you have the potential for a good story, but as an adult who's read a lot of YA books and adult action novels I couldn't even finish the whole portion. It just went on and on.
Look your work over a little and see where you can add action to what you wrote.
Watch the "was" "were" "went" and use more action words. These words stop action and drag the read out of the story.


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
I began reading this and soon the meter took over and I felt the beat. I could see Hugh Jackman singing this. The cadence and story would have fit right into THE SHOWMAN!
I have refused to admit to writer's block. I understand your thoughts and the way you have portrayed this horrible creature that dogs the writer.
Divorce is a good way to put it, but I'm more inclined to commit a murder.
Good job


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Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
I would just like to say can we clone you and send you to every CS account out there? You have given a perfect account of how to and not to handle customers. The best offering is DON'T lie!! You will be found out and leave a very bad taste in the customer's mouth.
You gave a few other recommendations to would be CS agents. I hope that not only would the agents read this but also the managers and the CEO's. Attitude comes from the top.
I will never buy another stick of furniture from Ashley Furniture. Their CS is nothing but liars. I would like to send this editorial to them for their owners.
Your thought process in writing this flows well from beginning to end. From your first day to 10 years later you bring the reader through your learning process while offering advice to CS agents just starting the job.
Good writing!!


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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81
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.5)
Dear Luci Garden Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: This piece has lots of action and angst.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? To lose or the fight? I'm not sure the goal. This part of the story is unclear and makes little sense.

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? Here again there is not motivation for the conflict. There is no setting to give the idea if this is an alternate existence. Given that the reader must relate the action to the here and now. Given the present rules, this doesn't follow them.

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? The fight is long. It seems many years with the outcome to the detriment of the victim. The fact she continued to exist gives the reader some clue to either her stamina or love.

*Pencil* Resolution: Death was a loss to this man. His mental conclusion of the "game" goes against the grain of the reader's ideals. The fact he sees their relationship as a game of his ability to inflict pain and beat the woman just far enough to keep her living is not in the rules of this present life.

*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? We read the aggressor thinks the victim is strong enough to survive the assaults but in the end one just gives up. His reaction lends to a mental default.

*Pencil* What do I think needs work: The action of the aggressor and the result don't mix. Something is missing. The setting for sure if this isn't our present. The piece is an instant in time with no real set up or conclusion. Why should the reader care about this incident? Since the reader immediately sympathizes with the victim, that leaves the aggressor misunderstood. Why? His actions don't follow any given pattern or action or even thought process the reader can relate to. I finished confused as to the purpose of the piece.


*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 18+ | (3.0)
Here are some suggestions:
Something occupied the three story abandoned factory on the sea side of Manhattan. On most occasion it was a relatively quiet place. Not a single voice was heard, nor vehicle, not even the chirp of birds or those sea-loving seagulls. The only sound was the soothing sound of the vibrant blue ocean waves splashing up onto the coast behind the great red brick factory. Walls two stories up had large clusters of smaller squared window panes. Some where occupied by dozens of holes and deep cracks. Some windows is were even completely shattered leaving only sharp glass fragments sticking out of the wall, waiting to sink through the flesh of curious birds. A black SUV made a quiet stop, along with a black S.W.A.T. truck behind it. The motor an softly.

The passenger side door of the black SUV swung open, slowly. A man stood up out the car, he was a little over six feet tall. He had silky brown tall thick hair, especially on top, with short stubble leading from the top of his head to the bottom of his chin. His dark-green eyes stared, piercingly at the decade old abandon factory. The man wore a black suit, and black slacks. Around his waist was a black belt with a gun holster. Under his black suit he wore a white button-up shirt along with a long black tie. A man with similar apparel sat in the car. He leaned towards the open door. "Are you sure this is the place Higgins? I mean it looks like no ones been here in a thousand years, yet alone a master criminal," The man outside the car asked to the one sitting in the SUV.


Please read this portion and count how many "to be" words are used. "was" "were" "had" These make reading slow. You want your reader engaged from the beginning.
In an abandoned building on the sea side of Manhattan, a (what is it?) if you don't want to tell then don't hint. Something lurked in the abandoned building on the sea side of Manhattan. Next you say there wasn't' a sound then go on to describe sounds. Which is it?
Something lurked in the abandoned building on the sea side of Manhattan. A nondescript structure like many others in the area with its cluster of windows, their panes shattered into sharp edges, waiting for unsuspecting fowl to attempt to enter, only to find themselves gashed. Their corpse decomposing just inside on rotting floors. See how the picture stayed the same but I didn't use was and were over and over.
An SUV pulled to a stop outside the building. A man stepped out dressed in a black uniform from boots to the fashionable jacket and tie. From beneath the jacket bulged a gun. He adjusted his stance as if the sidearm needed its most comfortable resting place See here again cutting the was and were out to give a short detailed version. The reader doesn't need to know his attire all at once. You can reveal the boots as he goes up the steps, brushes his hand through his brown military cut hair. All dropped into the story at other times not lumped here to be forgotten later.

"According to our tracking systems this is the place the girl was taken, well her phone anyway," Higgins answered. "Even if he is in here, make sure you don't kill him Budsworth." The man standing outside the SUV, Budsworth, nodded. Higgins knew he was lying, he could tell from the silence. It was never a good thing when Budsworth answered a question with a nod. Budsworth turned to the S.W.A.T. member in the front passenger seat of the S.W.A.T. vehicle.

Our tracking system located the girl in this building. At least her phone is here. again look at this and can you reword the sentences to leave out was.
I'm sorry to be picky- The window of the passenger side door rolled down. A S.W.A.T team member sitting in the front side, tilted his head out the window, watching Budsworth. "Is this the place, agent Budsworth?" He asked. Budsworth nodded, again. The door of both sides of the carpool swung open. Both of the S.W.A.T. team members rushed to the back of the truck. They opened the back trailer door, and a flood of other S.W.A.T. members came rushing out. All were carrying assault rifles longer that the length of their entire arm span. They all wore black helmets on top of their heads, and wore black bullet-prove vest labeled, "S.W.A.T." on the back in white letters. All the S.W.A.T. team members hustled up to the front door of the factory. Two was carrying a hundred pound battering ram to the door. "Three, two, one, go!" One of them shouted, counting down from three to one with their black gloved hand. The two with the battering ram slammed the circular front end of the ram into why he door. The lock busted, and the door bursted (burst) open with a loud BANG! This passage has no life. No real feeling just characters rushing rushing. What needs to be changed to make this ACTION necessary of a S.W.A.T. team? Why this amount of power when they casually pulled up IN FRONT of the building as big as you please and then jumped out rushing around like a military maneuver? Think about it. You have an over use of S.W.A.T use something else to describe the group.
How about they pulled up a block down the street as Budsworth looked at the building much like the others on the street. "Which one Sir?"
"Third one from the corner." His answer low and short.
"Do we move now?" "Yes." All the doors on the SUV opened as men in black ducked to run back to the trailer behind the SUV. Back doors swung open on silent hinges and men geared for action.

There was a woman chained to a brick wall behind her. Tears was rolling down her cheeks. She was quietly sobbing. Budsworth rushed into the room with her. She Glanced up at him, "Please, please help me," she sobbed. In these two sentences WAS again. Use ACTION words
There chained to a brick wall lay or sat, or knelt or however he found her. Tears RAN/FLOWED down her cheeks leaving trails in the dirt that covered her. No need to TELL us she was sobbing, you just SHOWED us. She would have heard the door being blown open her eyes would be glued to see who was coming. Rescue or worse?
Her eyes locked on Budsworth and her pleading expression tore at his heart. again no telling show us.
THEN he heard the sound of a creaking floorboard.. If you can avoid this word NEVER use THEN. Show whats happening. that word means you are again TELLING the reader. The floorboard behind him groaned and Budworth whirled to face the new danger. Same reaction but now as a reader I am in the room and my heart is beating as fast as his.
Do not write SOUND that's what children do. The distinct sound made by the automatice weapon sliced the air. and took with it all sense of the real world. Gunfire, the smell of blood. all words to describe a gun battle without the bang bang your dead of a little kid.
They all rushed in. WHO The rest of the team burst into the room, guns pointed in all directions in case of multiple opponents. Try to see the action in words that describe the intensity of the moment.
I'm not going to do each section. You have the idea. You've done a great job with this new part. As I said. Watch using WAS WERE THAT and over use of THE, it slows the action. makes it less powerful. Using other words is what a writer does. Don't just TELL the story make it alive for the reader.
Put yourself in the room. You've made good corrections. I like how its flowing much better than before.
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Review of The Morning After  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (3.0)
Dear Karl Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: It was short. You wanted a critical review. You created a a sequence that had a beginning a middle and end.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? I'm not sure the goal. You wanted to create mood and I don't think this was it. You told us what was going on in his head. Did he drink as a result of his son's death or in spite of it?

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? I didn't know where he was going or why? He seemed to have money, but no sense of direction.

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? The only conflict I got was the attempt at sex from a girl and he refused.

*Pencil* Resolution: He got left behind. I got that he must not have traveled by bus so didn't know the time at the station. The time seemed a bit short. The buses stay a while, or he didn't get off right away and the driver didn't tell him they were leaving shortly. I only thought of this after I read it a second time.

*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? I got to know the main character. He drank to forget his son's death. He had morals because he resisted the offer of sex. He didn't travel by bus much.


*Pencil* What do I think needs work: If you were setting a mood. What mood was it? Depression? sadness? despair? none of that came through.
To create these moods, you need to tap into his motives and show them in his actions.
Don't start out with the death.
How does he approach the bus? Does he care that anyone knows he's got booze on him. I splashed cold water on my face and scrubbed it dry with a paper towel. In the mirror I saw bits of towel stuck to my rough beard. I used my shirttail to get rid of the offending pieces. Next to me a guy brushed his teeth. "Hey, can I have a squeeze?" "Get away from me dirtbag!"
I headed to the doorway leading to the lines of buses and stopped. If I stepped onto the bus I was leaving everything behind. Everything. There was nothing to hold me here. I'd put the last thing I valued in a grave and dropped dirt on it. If I stepped on the bus when would I come back? When would I see the mound of dirt that covered my only child, my son.

Do you see the difference? Not a lot of "I". The repeat of If I stepped, gives the reader mind frame, choice, consequence. That's what you need to convey. What was this trip costing him? How did the choice make him feel or what was the result of the choice? booze? desire to numb the hurt? first you have to establish he's hurting. Not tell us SHOW us. What does pain of loss feel like to a man? We know women cry, shake, sob. How does a man deal with the pain of loss? Loss of his son, but loss of his home? loss of his family? Job?



*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
84
84
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 18+ | (2.0)
Dear Flying Fox Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: I liked the idea. At least what I thought it might be. The synopsis hooked me to read the beginning. I could tell it was going to be a story about a farming community and someone disappearing.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? At the first paragraph the setting and basic plot appeared to be given to the reader up front. No real hook.

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? There is no motivation in the prologue. In fact this back story isn't even needed. This can actually start with chapter 1 and bits and pieces from the prologue could be inserted to bring the reader into the story.

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? We get that Farmer Johnson, and the deputy have been killed by some black shadow with glowing eyes. Pretty basic. No surprises. We know the killer.

*Pencil* Resolution: End of chapter 1 we find out who the MC is Budsworth: We see his partner is killed in a shoot out that has nothing to do with the story. Unless the object is for him to have a new partner. Hmm One can hope.

*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? Not really. They are introduced. They have a backstory. There is a set up of a shadow creature that is killing?


*Pencil* What do I think needs work: Without rewriting everything I'd say you need to re-plot the story within the idea.
1) delete the prologue. Its not necessary. You can tell this story in brief form when the guy tells Budsworth about it in the hospital. No need for detail he will discover details when he goes out to the house. If you write what he finds in a later chapter now you have a duplicate story. Unnecessary.
2) a pin is something that has a sharp end. a pen when used with animals is where they are housed. You'll need to fix that.
3) We know the goal is to find what killed Farmer Johnson and the deputy, The motivation will probably be to keep it from killing again, which it will. The conflict, I hope, will be the times Budsworth comes in contact with the shadow and how he finds a way to kill it. The resolution will be the final confrontation and the shadow is defeated. At least that's how I see it.
The question will be if I see the story at this point, do I need to read it? What can you do to change my perception so I have no idea what's going to happen and will want to read to find out.
CLUE: Without the prologue I'm in the story with Budsworth. I'm looking for the killer just as he is. I only will know what he knows and as a reader I'm curious to find out who is killing people.... Don't tell me the story before it starts.


*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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85
Review of A Glass of Water  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
Dear Ptc Author IconMail Icon
 A Glass of Water Open in new Window. (E)
"Every character in your story should want something, even if its just a glass of water."
#2145386 by Ptc Author IconMail Icon


*Pencil* What I liked about the story: The tag line caught my eye. I thought I was going to read some article about writing. What I got was a lot more.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? We all have goals. When writing we need to show that every character wants something. Indeed, you showed this man's desire in a particular manner.

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? Even when we're thirsty its a desire. What we do to satisfy that desire is the story. It may be just inches away or miles, we need the determination to reach that goal. Why? Are we thirsty? Water is sustenance, without it we die. What more motivation is that?

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? Here is what really caught my attention. Having a goal and a motivation is one thing, but a story relies on what keeps our character from reaching that goal. What's a story if the guy got out of his chair took the glass of water, drank it, set it down and sat back in his chair? SO WHAT? That's not a story its a scene direction. You gave the reader a conflict that causes each of us to recoil. We cringe at the thought and in our minds are reaching to help him. My heart went out to him.

*Pencil* Resolution: I'm not giving the plot away. Even the ending was a conflict of nature. It struck my heart in a way that only one who has had another in their care can empathize.

*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? Oh Yes. We can clearly see the man in the scene unfold. Each paragraph draws us to continue. Will he get the water? His efforts reveal his situation and the reader is right with him and his determination.


*Pencil* What do I think needs work: Nothing. This was an excellent Showing not Telling piece. I hope to read more from you in this coming year.


*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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Review of Bible Trivia  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (2.0)
The quiz said I got 11/15 but when i check the correct answers I got them all right. HUMM??
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Review of Why I Believe  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Blind Faith- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
That sounds like blind faith to me.
*BigSmile*
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Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
Dear Denine Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: The story moved at a good pace. It kept me interested, wondering what would happen next. I like the premise of the story and I think it will appeal to the Tween set.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? Here is where I had a question. What is his purpose? Is he going to become a love interest to Jennifer? Is she just passing in the story? What problem does he need to solve, or change he needs to help make? Is it about revenge?

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? Since I don't know his goal, I don't know what motivates him. All these things happen to him but for what reason? He starts out liking Jennifer. At first I thought maybe he would work at becoming more responsible to gain her favor. That didn't happen. So again, the goal of the main character needs to be set at the beginning. Maybe his goal is to hang around until the Devil shows up and asks him to do something. That will be boring and no one will wait that long.

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? Here is where you excel. You love to drive the story with action. You have a good set up and it follows through with good movement and realistic action. We see conflict between almost everyone. I don't see anyone in the story that will be his mentor, sidekick or romantic interest. You've laid out the groundwork for some of them. I'd be interested to see what happens next.

*Pencil* Resolution: N/A

*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? Yes to some degree. We know Kyle comes from a home that isn't healthy. He's lost both his mother and sister. He's rebelling by doing bad in school. He seems to be smart but doesn't want to draw attention to himself by getting good grades. Its something most adults have seen or experienced. Jennifer is a bit iffy. I thought she was a pretty airhead, then she stood up to Josh. I'm not sure when the change came about, but it was sudden and made the story take an abrupt detour for me. I don't know enough about Ari but she seems a bit different and odd. Why didn't Kyle question her more? He seemed to be to accepting of everything that happened. I saw no inner turmoil or thought process of consequences.


*Pencil* What do I think needs work: I wasn't reading for anything but story. You didn't have passive voice, which kept me reading. I suggest you find places to insert Kyle's name. By the time I ended the story and began this review, I had to go back and find what his name was. "I" became his name. You need to have more people say his name throughout the story so its not forgotten.


*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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89
Review of The Scream  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Iron Bank of Braavos  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Hello, ToeStubber Author Icon },

I am reviewing your item for "Game of ThronesOpen in new Window..



*CheckP* Hello, I am Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon, the title and description of this story aroused my curiosity.

*CheckR* My First Thoughts: I chose this with some trepidation. I've read the series "The Boy Called IT" I wasn't sure what I was about to read. I'm sorry that it didn't meet my expectations. I know there is more to this story, but it lacked a connection to the reader.

*CheckG* My Favorite Part: I can't say favorite as this isn't a sweet story. I like how you described David's first howl in paragraph five. This being said, I wish you would have given the reader more detail. The "glossing" over of what transpired with David is over taken by the details about the staff. How they felt, or reacted should be about fifty fifty in relation to what David experienced.

*Check* My Final Thoughts and/or Suggestions: One of the things that makes the disconnect with the reader; is writing in past tense. It's a personal preference, but your use of passive voice bothered me more. Look at this piece and remove all the "had", "was", "would" ,"and then"and "were" words. These filler words don't allow the reader to get close to the characters.
One moment you write that David let loose his howl... (present tense) In the next sentence you talk about how he would go for days without and outburst. (past tense)

If you didn't tag this above about it being an abused child, there was very little about the abuse. You have the Doctors fixing torn skin and cuts, but no explanation about how it might have happened.
In conclusion this is a story. by example you might have said, a child came to the hospital with cuts and brusies
A plot would have said : a child came to the hospital with cuts and brusies because he'd been left at the ER ramp, broken and the result of life threathening abuse. That is a plot.






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90
90
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (5.0)
Hello, Rasputin Author Icon },

I am reviewing your item for "Game of ThronesOpen in new Window..



*CheckP* Hello, I am Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon, the title and description of this story aroused my curiosity.

*CheckR* My First Thoughts: The first line hooked me since I'd just been through two knee replacements with my daughter. The criteria of the 100 lbs wasn't given to her. I wondered how you decided to lose the weight. I felt ready to cheer you on to your goal. I didn't realize how easy it would be.

*CheckG* My Favorite Part: I like the title because it suggested a theme yet how could this be simple? Your response to the doctor gave me a smile. I need to lose about 50 lbs. I think I should just open the door and shoo the dog out. she's 20 lbs and that would about do it.
Your writing is good for this type of humor. The timing and quick punch line shows me you are good a telling jokes. Its a special talent as you know. Writing with good timeing is a must and I fell you have mastered that,

*Check* My Final Thoughts and/or Suggestions: I love your sense of humor. In this day and age, its what kwwps us sane. I'm sure your Doctor has retold that story to a few of his patients.




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91
91
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
Hi, NeedingBeachDuf 🐠⛵🏝️ Author Icon I found your story here in your contest port and was drawn to it because the title and brief description caught my attention.

Overall Impression
I began the story because I wondered at the final words of a priest and condemned man. I had mixed expectations. Would it be the trite Priestly form or more personal. I felt slightly vindicated that it was more than just pat words to the dying man.

Setting/Plot/Characters

Plot:
The dialog moved along with a point. I felt it was trying to convey deep spiritual thought. The conversation was at times hard to remember who was talking as I read each question, answer and thought.

Characters:

I did not identify with either character. I got a sense the condemned man had come to terms with his crime and asked for forgiveness. Somehow the priest didn't seem quite sure it was enough. Following the dialog I'm not sure the point of it. Who learned what? Was anything settled between the two?


In conclusion:
I think you had a good handle on the scope of the contest. I felt you had a particular thought you wanted to tell, but somehow, for me, it didn't come across. In the end I didn't have any feeling either way for the condemned man or the priest. They may as well had shaken hands through the bars and both said, "Good luck I enjoyed our conversations." The end. I wanted more.

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92
92
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (3.0)
Dear P. Parker Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: Nice Character names. There was no story to like. This was a filler piece.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? None. There was no main character, no goal no purpose for this piece.

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? None. What is the point of this pieces?

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? The bust of someone is being moved from place to place for no reason. when it breaks I hoped it would reveal something inside for the detective to find...? no such luck.


*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? no. They are names and have a street dialect.They offer nothing to move the story forward.


*Pencil* What do I think needs work: First of all the first sentence had a big flag for me "WAS" This tells me you don't know what a passive sentence is and that it throws a reader off.
There is no build up to the story. No foreshadowing of anything that may have happened or is going to happen. What was the purpose of moving the bust? busy work? Then say so. I kept reading hoping you would reveal some story the detective was working on. I didn't find it. You could cut this whole thing out and nothing would be missed. However to be fair I went to read Episode 1 and the same thing began there. This is a love story between a bunch of gay guys. You've set the reader up to think this is going to be a detective story with a real crime. Episode 1 falls flat. Its a scene where a guy gets hot on a guy while his partner is rejected for no reason.
You need to fill the reader in on the basics.
Look at #2 question and fill it out. GOAL, Motivation and Conflict. What you have written is all the filler pieces to make the story interesting after the main theme is presented.
When writing start with the outline in RED and then use what you've written to flesh out the story and move the romance along. Let me know if you don't understand this and I will help.


*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*
93
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Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with The Rockin' Reviewers  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.0)
Dear Medjay Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: For once a historical grabbed my attention at the beginning. I read this because you wanted feedback or I might have given up. I kept reading to see where the story went. I like the premise of this story. The first part gives me hope. By the end I lost interest.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? To get to Egypt to return the golden key. You told the reader that right at the beginning. BAM we got the goal.

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? He's a priest and its his duty, his mission. If he fails...the kingdom will fall. You told the reader all this also.

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? You've told us right away a General is following him. He's been shot in his Achilles heel so to speak. Then you have some good conversation when he's about to be captured. He's rescued.


*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? At first you start to develop the characters. You do too much telling. YOU TELL the reader what they should know and what the characters are thinking instead of letting the reader discover it on their own.


*Pencil* What do I think needs work: First of all This should be broken into a couple of chapters. I think you have enough promise in the first part to make it a whole chapter. Tute is running, give more description of his whereabouts, the challenge that got him here. Start with how Arshudan found him, found out about his goal. How did he get injured and keep running so far ahead? did he have a camel that was injured also and dies leaving him in the sand? He may have hid a number of times to evade detection? If you want the reader to believe his has power from the gods then you have to have them protect him.
          You need to fix the spacing and divide the conversation. At the bottom of the page where you edit click on ADVANCED here you can change the spacing to double between paragraphs.
When he is captured there is conversation that seems unrealistic. They talk? I don't think so. Unless Arshudan fears the wrath of the gods and you show that, its the only reason he isn't picked up and the clothing torn from him and the key found. Now what if the key is found and he's left for dead. THEN this new guy shows up and rescues Tute. Tute tells about the Arshudan so off they go to capture him. They meet and all that you wrote between the two men happen.
When Netherbara shows up its sudden, with out warning or announcement. In the dessert, unless they are I some kind of canyon, Arshudan's men would have warned him. His entrance to the story needs to be reworked.
The fight is boring. It needs more drama. They fought they won and the loser had their hands cut off, the bellowed and that was all that happened. Is that what you like in a epic movie? Think of all the big movies like this, the fight scenes are what men read about.
I didn't understand the whole ending. You went back to telling the reader a bunch of stuff that was confusing. It would have been better revealed at some later point when he calls on the gods and then the appearing of some god from Tute's chest.
How did Netherbara's jaw break as he bowed down? Did some one hit him?

Now here we are with a new goal, a statue is stolen and what about the key? He hasn't delivered the key to Babylon, he hasn't saved Egypt. Stick to one thing. Write it well. Write a beginning (no prologue) middle and end. Try ending it when Netherabra and Tute deliver the key. What happens there? What might at the end happen if someone else tries to stop them? Does Netherabra become his champion so to speak?
What happens after that might be for your book II




*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*
94
94
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
Dear Lecters Protege Author IconMail Icon

*Pencil* What I liked about the story: I read with curiosity about the betrayal. I was immediately drawn into the story and it had a good ending.

*Pencil* What is the goal of the main Character? This woman planned to kill her fiance.

*Pencil* What motivates that Character to continue to reach that goal? He'd cheated on her and she became judge, jury and executioner.

*Pencil* What conflicts or situation are trying to prevent the main character from reaching the goal? There isn't any. She has no remorse or second thoughts. Not even the thought of what might happen if she gets caught.

*Pencil* Resolution: None. He dies she walks away

*Pencil* Do the characters develop in this story? No. We see the action from the killer's point of view and no details other than the betrayal is given.


*Pencil* What do I think needs work:
I feel the story lacks depth. Its told with no feeling and lots of telling not showing. The POV changes and is distracting.
Tell how she's feeling, what she sees and hears. When you flash back be more detailed about what happened. How did she discover them. The segue into the thought process to get where she is now. No one ever jumps from love to murder without a process of some kind. If you have a wordcount limit then delete the telling portions and only real the important facts.



*TeaV*A Proud Member of the PAPER DOLL GANG REVIEWERS *TeaV*


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95
95
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (5.0)
Hi, drifter Author Icon I found your story here Read & Reviews link and was drawn to it because the title and brief description caught my attention.


Overall Impression
I have had some dealings with Alzheimer victims. I read this with hope and that's what I got. I felt inspired renewed and want to sher this with others that are going through similar situations.

Plot:
This article was written by someone who has been around those who are gripped with the disease an those helping them. The story behind this and the bullet points were given from the heart with the admonition to anyone who might travel that same pathway.
You give the reader a step inside the real world of carrying for a patient with Alzheimer's. This is a serious situation that many of us either have to face or will be the one getting the care.


Suggestions:
I have no suggestions to word this better. I think you did a fine job. My only addition would be a summary at the end. A wrap-up as all sermons have. Tie the beginning to the end. That's it.


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96
96
Review of The Lotto  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.0)
Hi, Mike Author Icon I found your story listed on the Shameless plug page and was drawn to it because the title and brief description caught my attention.

Overall Impression
I liked the story. Even thought it read predictable, I loved the idea I knew where it was going.

Setting:

Most of the action took place in the house. Her travels to work had little to do with what went on.

Plot:
You had a beginning, introducing the characters. A middle where you set up the husband's action and the end where you tied all the strings. That much of the story felt well thought out.

Characters:

Here you have some work to do. I'm at odds with your character's actual actions. Having been in a verbally abusive situation, her actions and his seem at odds. Not that she was hurt or that he was sorry afterwards. The reason for both actions is muddied by your interpretation of them.

She reacted too mild to the comments. Other than crying the reader didn't FEEL her pain. His reactions to her and his being sorry isn't enough to normally cause the action he took. I'd look a bit more into the disease and his anger at it. He takes his real pain out on her verbally since he thinks she doesn't understand what he's going through. This brings the reader into to why he takes the action he did. We don't sympathize with him. There is no anger at him because he just acts.
You tell a lot of what's going on and their feelings instead of SHOWING it in their words.
“I work hard and long for my pay and tips, I should be able to spend a bit on whatever I want”
she muttered under her breath, knowing she was throwing fuel on his fire if he would hear her.

A suggestion. "I work hard for my pay and tips." She leaned her knuckles on the table, far enough away he couldn't hit her, but where she could show him how she felt. "If I want to spend two lousy dollars on a lotto ticket then so be it." See how different action can be without telling the reader what she thought?

Suggestions:
Above I mentioned the couple's reactions. You need to take them apart more.
Beside that you have a lot of passive voice in your writing which leaves the reader out of the story. More as a disinterested observer. You want to write so the reader is grabbed by the neck, hauled into that room to hear and feel what is going on. "Was", "went", "Should" and "had" are over used. Cut them and see if that doesn't tighten the story a little.

example: She wiped the tears from her eyes, knowing that as has become customary, she'll straighten her makeup on the bus ride to work. The morning started and was ending in the usual manner. Everything was fine for a while then it all degenerated into a one sided fight. It was always the same fight, about money. He was concerned that she was spending money they didn't have to spend on things they didn't need to spend it on.
You also have a problem with Tenses. Some places you write in past tense. -ed others you use present tense -s. Chose what tense you are writing in. Is it happening as the reader is reading it? or are you telling it as it happened in the past?

He reached down and picks up her pocket book and sets on the table for her, just trying to help out a bit, when he notices a pink and white lotto ticket stuck down the side pocket. REACHED is past the rest of the sentence is present. Picks/ he picked up, notices/ noticed and so on.
You started with her on a bus. Start with the fight.

In conclusion:
I like where the plot went, there is just a lot of details in TELLING a story you need to work on. Its not hard to fix if you chose to do the work.
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97
97
Review of Ruthless  Open in new Window.
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
Hello ! I just finished reading your posting

Overall Review: I loved it. You had action, character build up and a great finish.

What is the goal or purpose? I liked the way you subtly told what Cindy's job was and how much she like it.

Is there a motivation? She didn't need much motivation other than she had a god job and I assume she liked her pay

What are the conflicts? Ah, here is the jib. She didn't have conflicts until the end. When one loves their job they never go to work.

What I Liked: It was short, to the point and followed what makes a great story.

What Needs Work: nothing


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98
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Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (2.5)
Hi, pollianna Author Icon I found your story here read and review and was drawn to it because the title and brief description caught my attention.

Overall Impression
The story felt as if it were just a moment in time. At first I felt sorry for the girl, but her actions or lack of reason for them kept me out of the story.


Setting/Plot/Characters

Setting:

There was no real description of the time, place or setting. I wasn't able to put the girl into complete setting. She started out in a room with a closet and went to school, then ended up somewhere else. This piece was too short on description to pull me into the action.

Plot:

There wasn't much of a plot here. It had no goal for the girl to achieve. There didn't seem to be any motivation for her actions. She reacted to situations, but with no background information it seemed out of place. There was no conflict. The fact she tried to kill herself then went right to school put her at odds with the reader who most likely knows that isn't the way things are done in real life. If this wasn't a real life situation, there was no setting to tell the reader that.

Characters:

Here is another place that can use some work. I didn't get a sense of the girl's age other than she was in school. Twelve to seventeen covers a lot of maturity that isn't shown.
The fact her ex boyfriend did something that upset her enough for her to want to kill herself left me wondering what it was? How bad could it really have been?
I just read in the news about a young boy who hung himself when he read his girlfriend pranked her friends that she committed suicide. On hearing this, he tried to contact her and her friends played along with her prank. He then hung himself because he thought she was dead. This small illustration shows how to tell a story with some beginning, middle and end.

Suggestions:

First of all you need to write in paragraphs. Complete sentences. You will also need to learn how to write dialogue. this will go a long way to getting better reviews.
The next thing to work on is setting the goal for your main character, then give her some motivation and then insert conflict to keep people reading.
I'm not sure what you wanted to say in this piece. You left out too many key things to keep the reader reading.

In conclusion:
If you want a more detailed review on how to make this piece better, just ask. I can show you how to craft this story and others you write by giving you an easy formula as I stated above.

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99
99
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
Hi, Timothy Sam Author Icon This review is in respose to your request.

Overall Impression
The title and blurb hooked me. In this day and age I'm somewhat skeptical of reading political pieces, but I took a chance. This piece has great potential. I loved the premise.

Setting/Plot/Characters

Setting:

The fact you set this in a congressional bathroom had me smiling. The introduction to the setting felt real and had me wondering if this was going to be a horror story, paranormal or a real conversation. You gave good descriptions of the setting all through the piece.

Plot:
I searched for the goal of the main character. Reading on to find what he wanted, I felt like I was dropped into the middle of something. This wasn't a bad thing. It kept me reading and wondering which is good for a writer.
There was plenty of conflict in this bit. I loved the banter. The motivation wasn't revealed to the end. Good job there.

Characters:

You built these characters with finesse. I could picture both. More so Dick rather than Tom. Their conversation and thoughts gave the reader a pretty good idea where they both stood, as far as the political scene went. The questions asked seemed almost iniquitous, but there was more not said than said.

Suggestions:

I have a few things I feel need to be addressed. First is the POV. You jump around from character to character. This makes following the story difficult. YOU know who is talking, but the reader has to stop and figure it out. I suggest you stick to Tom's point of view and leave out Dick's. On the other hand if you write this as third person omniscient, YOU tell the story as if you are invisible, watching and hearing both of them talk. Internal thoughts often distracted from the story.
You TOLD parts of the story. For Dudley, who forgot his lapel pin at home, the pieces all locked into place. His mind pondered into the magnitude of being in the U.S. Capitol Here is a good example. This whole paragraph is telling the reader something Dudley would be thinking at this time. Dudley fingered his lapel. He'd forgotten his lapel pin again. His smile didn't reach his eyes, not an uncommon sight around the capitol these days. You don't need to tell his politics, the ending does it for you. You want to spout your ideals, then have him say so in the conversation. Remember, what is the point of the story, your political idea or this story? Pick one and stick to it.
Dudley's eyes widened. The revelation hit him like a freight train with enormous ripples and crescendos. "You mean...you had an affair with Melinda...the Senator's wife? "Here is another place you, the writer, get into the story. The revelation hit him like a freight train with enormous ripples and crescendos. This doesn't need to be told. The widened eyes and the following sentence tell the story. To me, this jaded man wouldn't be surprised at anything. Why should this revelation shock him this much?
My suggestion is more of a "heard it all" attitude but digging in to find out the details.


In conclusion:
I really like this story. I like where it started and where it ended. A little more work on the rapier point of conversation and character interaction will make it great. I woud love to read the revised edition.

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100
100
Review by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (3.5)
Hi, Grayson Moon Author Icon This review is in response to your request.

Overall Impression
This first section of your story is illuminating. I'm immediately thrown into an accident with a girl. This story is told from her point of view. I'm fearful for her as I read her brother and father have been attacked by some man with a knife. She alone is spared. Why?

Setting/Plot/Characters

Setting:

The immediate setting is well defined. Its kept to the mini van the family travels in. You don't tell us where they left only where they were headed. The visual of where they are could be better identified. What did she remember of the accident? we only know there was one, what does she remember? Was she sleeping?
What time of day is this? I don't get a sense of real time? She could look at her watch, and try to figure how long she had been unconscious.


Plot:
This is just a beginning. You haven't established a goal yet. This needs to be added to the end of this chapter. What is she going to do? Try to go to her mom? What is is going to tell the authorities when she gets somewhere she can use her phone? What is the goal of this story? It needs to be established in the first chapter.

Characters:
This is very limited. We know Ollie must be a teenager, her brother is dead and her father dying. She has a mother somewhere but why are they on vacation apart?


Suggestions:

You write like you talk. This is hard to tell you but you have to write with out using words like, SO and too many 'said' 'says.'

I touch my forehead. Blood. There's blood on my face. How did it get there? And the smell. That suffocating iron smell....
My surroundings spin. A mix of gray and white watercolors paint my vision. No wait, there's red. There's red everywhere.

I know what you want to say, but its too literal. It should read more like this I touch my throbbing forehead and peer at my finger in the semi darkness. Blood. How did it get there? There is a smell of iron. My eyes can't focus and I close them against the nausea and spinning. If her eyes are closed against the spinning she isn't going to see colors.

I scream until my throat is sore, but no amount of screaming can drive away this nightmare. Scrambling back against the minivan window, I accidentally kick Marco's body in the seat over. Is he dead? I can't see straight. Rain bullets hitting the car muddle my thoughts. The sound of rain usually comforts me, but now it’s boxing me in.If she just sat there and screamed until her throat was sore why did she stop? This doesn't usu sally happen. There is a long scream until reality sets in and the scream turns to sobs of fear. This is paragraph number two and you haven't told the reader what the nightmare is. She can scream at the end when she has to leave the van and the nightmare starts.
Long black hair sticks to my face, either from the blood or the tears. How does she know this? Here is where you are mixing points of view. You the writer are telling the reader that the character wouldn't care about or even think of in this situation. Nor would she think of killing herself if her dad is dead. That's being over dramatic in this situation. She's scared. Her first thoughts are for her family, not killing herself.
Step back and observe what is going on from an outsider looking in. Are Ollie's actions real? Most likely she will try to wake her brother. he may fall forward and against the side. If he had short hair and its daytime, she might see a trail of blood running from the holes in his neck. She might quickly lean over the front seat to look to see if her dad is alive. Think what she would do. You write from her point of view, but you the writer know what everything looks like. The reader doesn't unless you tell them.
Where did all the blood come from? All you tell us is there are puncture wounds in the neck. What else happened? Here is where you will add word count and bring the reader into the story with you.
My breath catches and I almost slap him. "You just told me to run. Now you want me to go back there and-" Bile rises in my throat as I cover my mouth. Would she really want to slap her father in this situation? Question him instead. Why does he need the body? What is he going to do with it? How can she lift her brother from the backseat to the front? He's dead weight.
It's not his fault, but he apologizes anyway. I want to fall asleep right here and never wake up. Dad should go to sleep, too. We could all disappear from this world in peace. No more financial problems. No more awkward school transitions. We'd even get to see Mom again. Here again you stop action and start telling the reader something. This is stuff that she wouldn't be thinking about in this situation. when she leaves the van, runs and had to hide for the night or where ever, thats when she can reflect on things.

In conclusion:
I think this is a good start for a story even though I don't know what its about or where its going.

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