Stories To Be

Sara said:
(Before I get started here, Jen, please let me know if you're finding these helpful or not. I'd rather tnot do them if they aren't useful.)

Hoo boy.

To the extent that I've been reading, I haven't had too much trouble keeping up with who's who. And I figured out that the repeated letters were placeholder names for unnamed characters. But Annette is Arthur's niece?!?. I realize that there's no way I could have known that yet (unless it's mentioned in some part i haven't got around to reading). But I think it needs to be made clear right from the begining, as I think it would have a huge effect on Arthur's state of mind. It could also help give an emotional arc to a part of the story that feels a little reportorial right now. This guy's just lost not only a member of his pack, but of his biological family. Probably not through natural causes either. And presumably, this is the first he's heard of it. Then suddenly this other guy comes running up to tell him his wife just when into labor. (Incidently, who is that guy?) Talk about conflicting emotions. Seems to me like Arthur would be having a pretty tough time. Maybe he wants very much to be there for his wife, to share in this wonderful moment, but he can't complete pull himself out of the shock and grief he's feeling. How does this change his feeling about Rosemary's birth? Does it ease the pain of his loss? Or maybe, does it make him feel greater concern for his newborn daughter coming into this dangerous and violent world?
 

Jennifer Michelle said:
Sara,

I am finding them extremely helpful!

Based on your comments so far I've made up a mental list of things I need to keep aware of while writing (POV, describe setting, relavent information, whatnot). Plus they really help me with the "read it fresh and see what it's like" point of view so I can fix spots that I might otherwise not notice.

As for Annette and Arthur's relation, I had almost forgot about it myself! It's one of the "coincidences" that makes the werewolf community take particular notice of Rosemary. When I was writing about those I kept thinking I'm sure I'm missing one, but couldn't remember it. I finally did when writing up the character list.

I'm not sure just how in depth into characters that aren't going to be important outside of the prologue I want to get. But you're right, the relationship should be made clear early. Revision time yet again.

Thanks for all your help! I hope you want to keep commenting.