So, this is my first post. I have no idea how to format this note or anything like that, so I just want critique. Not on grammar or spelling, trust me, I know it needs fixing. And I plan on expanding this story, but for right now it's just a couple paragraphs. Please let me know what you think! =) Thanks!
"So," she asked, "why do you write?"
He looked up from the dish rag in his hands. He gave a short laugh and glanced back at the cloth in his hands.
"My family," he sighed, "is...talent. Pure talent. My sister is a dancer. She took ballet ever since she could walk. She lives in the dance studio, and it's beautiful, because you can just turn on the radio and she has these graceful movements that just come to her, and she points, and leaps, and makes everyone around her feel awkward and clumsy and dumb. And when you watch her dance, it's like she's telling this story. She's so expressive. She just flows and twirls and the music just fits with everything she does...it's breathtaking." He stopped. He threw the dish rag on to the counter and fumbled to the table where she sat.
"And my brother," he said, half laughing, as he lowered himself into the kitchen chair, "was classically trained in music. Mostly piano. But he just has this unbelieveable ability to pick up any insturment and just play. He's this genius, and you feel absolutley ridiculous trying to sing or play anything in front of him, because he's so good. I mean, his ears are like these scientific radios, that can pick out any disturbance in the frequencies. Just watching him play piano, his fingers are flying all over the keys and his eyes are closed, and everything kind of makes sense for him. Like his life is just this giant book of sheet music and the more he plays, the more it just works for him."
He stopped, shaking his head in wonder. She was silent, as if anything she would add to the conversation would take away from it's meaning.
"And I was just the younger brother. My parents were great though, they took me to lessons, and provided all these opportunities, but I was just inept. I tried guitar for a while. I was even in this punk band in high school. We were called "The Bleeding Hearts". I don't think we ever played though...we mostly just wrote lyrics about how horrible out lives were and that no girls liked us. Then I thought I'd like to try art. And I was in to it for a while, I visited museums and read books. Then I tried creating. And that is a completely different art than learning about it," He paused, changing his direction, "I was okay in school. I don't think I ever failed a class. But I loved English. I found a joy in creating with my words. I couldn't flow through a room in pointe shoes, but I could tell someone how beautiful it was. I couldn't play a painfully brilliant melody on piano, but I could compose the sound of one with my words. I couldn't form any kind of art that was pleasing to the eyes, but I could paint a picture with my words. And that," he said, "is the completely true and painfully cliche reason I became a writer."
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This is really good!! You have the makings of a great story here. You've identified the male MC's...angst, for want of a better word, quite well. The description of his family is perfect, I loved the way you described the dancer (being one myself, I always love that kind of thing!!). It's also obvious to see that the female MC is interested in this guy and what he does as well, which is great.
The only problem I have is that it's too short. Just as the reader starts to get into it, you cut it short. I know it's only meant to be something short, possibly an excerpt, but it doesn't seem like a good place to end the excerpt. It doesn't leave us hanging with anything, it's just dialogue. Try adding just another small paragraph to tie it up a bit. Overall, well done!!
I know you said no spelling or grammar, but I can't help but point this out. The bold says 'out', when it should be 'our'. Consider it jus a little nitpick!
This is really well written. There were a few grammar and speling things here and there, but only a couple. I really like your style. It's honest, but beautiful wording. You are really talented. I like how short it is, too. It's sweet and simple. I love the last paragraph soooooo much. Especially how you broke up the last line with "he said." Just fantastic. Hahah
Wow, are you sure you don't know my family? Because, I'm pretty sure you just wrote a short piece about them. Except, in my family, I'm the dancer, writer and photographer, my sister's the amazing artist, my brother can fix anything, my mom's a bead artist and photographer and my dad can play any instrument and draw. So, I really feel like I can connect to this passage, so short but it's beautiful. Congratulations on joining, by the way(:
You did not want any grammar or spelling corrections, I see. But, I do have a small thought.
When he's explaining all this, all I see him doing is sitting. Maybe show the characters feelings through his body language, incorporate that somehow.
Other than that, beautiful job.
I think that the story line is interesting, it seems like it would keep me interested in the book, like it's not just something I'd get bored with and stop reading part way through.
Hi, I'm Earthfire. Welcome to YWS!
Great job!
The thing I really liked about this story was how you described things. You were able to put a picture into my mind while talking like a normal person.
The only thing I would suggest you change is this:
This sounds kind of repetitive, like you're saying the same thing twice. Is there a way you can combine the two sentences?
Keep writing!
~Earthfire