Ha I was reviewing this chapter in the chapter four post for some reason..lol. ANyways I have a few nitpicks.
Setting: I want more. I know someone has already covered this but I want to reiterate it. I want how a room, how a street, how her room at the boarding house looks, feels, smells, and sounds. I want to be able to visualize the furniture, the textures, the colors, etc. Clothing as well needs more description. I want to indulge myself in the rich fabrics, the vibrant colors, and the style of that time period. You might stop and do some research for this.
The other thing that bothered me was Rand. What is the history of those two? I'm guessing they courted each other, but what made their relationship go astray? Why, if all Rand cares about is money, does he send a mere maid roses? What about the letter? Why does she never read it? What does it say? If it isn't important to the plot line why is there a letter at all? I'm not exactly sure how Rand and Rachel and their past really works into the plot line so I can't really offer any suggestions to remedy this.
The blackmail letter should be short and sweet. You wrote:
Dear Rachel Baldwin,
[s]It is Baldwin isn’t it? Oh yes, how silly of me, of course it is.[/s] I am writing you this to tell you I’ve found out about your past. [s]Will the mistress be pleased to know that she has the daughter of a drunk and a wanton in her home?[/s] I will go and tell her everything if you don’t do this simple thing for me. [s]And it really is simple, dear, just like you. All I require for keeping my mouth closed is what all of us want: money. I’ve a great need for it, and I know you have it. I’d guess that you’ve been saving for months. And you probably have something left over from what your poor father left you. [/s]I want only a little of it—merely thirty pounds. [s]That’s all I ask, Rachel. Then this little problem will be over.[/s] I want the money by Thursday morning. Leave it under the empty milk can outside the servants’ entrance. If it is not there, Rachel… do I need to tell you what will happen?
Sincerely,
Your needing friend
I crossed out everything that we already know or don't need to know. Also whoever wrote this letter is obviously another servant, so I don't know how much of an education they have, but it is probably minimal. For this I think there should be some spelling errors or grammar problems and very simple vocabulary. But that is up to you. So basically if you rewrote it it would read something like this:
Dear Rachel Baldwin,
I know your secret. Leave 30 pounds under the empty milk can outside the servents entrance by thursday morn. Or else.
Your needing friend
Wow, a lot happens in this chapter. Her ex-suitor discovers she is a maid. He sends her a bouquet of flowers. She is almost raped. Sudeep rescues her. She is blackmailed. And through it all she somehow shows very little emotion and keeps her composure. Personally by the end of the night I would be in bed crying my brains out praying to die. Go back and reread it and put yourself in Rachel's shoes. What emotions would you feel? How would you react? What would you be thinking? How can you convey these things in a creative and believable way? If you take the time to answer those questions and apply the answers to this chapter I think the story will be absolutely magnificient.
Points: 7596
Reviews: 287
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