tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post115625554908656475..comments2024-03-26T18:28:06.391-04:00Comments on Evil Editor: Face-Lift 164Evil Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03879826770199639420noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156392218581309762006-08-24T00:03:00.000-04:002006-08-24T00:03:00.000-04:00I have no problems with the plot, and won't commen...I have no problems with the plot, and won't comment on the cancer issue other than to say: My aunt is dying of brain and lung cancer. My nephew beat his brain cancer into remission at age four, and at twelve is all clear so far. Cancer is a part of life. Childhood cancer is particularly bitter, but writing (or reading) about another person's struggle with it can be cathartic. There are people who will read this book.<BR/><BR/>EE's revision of the letter is good--except for that problematic "feisty." Unlike Anon #1, (and with apologies to our resident Feisty commentor) I don't find the term condescending--it just doesn't quite fit the somber tone of the story. Maybe change it to "indomitable." Feisty seems too chicklit.<BR/><BR/>Other than that one nitpick, well, as long as I had a full box of kleenex, I'd read it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156370881612202122006-08-23T18:08:00.000-04:002006-08-23T18:08:00.000-04:00It's set in about 2004. She was sixteen in 1974, s...It's set in about 2004. She was sixteen in 1974, so she'd be in about her mid-thirties when she had the child. Late baby, a bit of a surprise to her husband, therefore now she's single. That makes the boy about ten years old. It's rarely diagnosed before age ten, but in the story they'd been dealing with it for 2-3 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156367806795902412006-08-23T17:16:00.000-04:002006-08-23T17:16:00.000-04:00I also offer my sympathy for your and your family'...I also offer my sympathy for your and your family's loss. And if you want to write this book, then I think you should. Miss Snark is addressing this question on her blog (can't appeal to everyone). <BR/><BR/>Assuming you will go ahead with the story, I have a question about the dates and the child's age. If Luke and Rebecca first met in 1974, what is the setting of the book? If it's contemporary, then Rebecca will be a little long in the tooth to have a "young son." If it's not 2006 or thereabouts, when is it? That will affect other aspects of your story and a reader's assumptions as s/he reads your query.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156366287030686942006-08-23T16:51:00.000-04:002006-08-23T16:51:00.000-04:00Somebody should write #4!Somebody should write #4!Robin L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00801990168336545886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156358872028803202006-08-23T14:47:00.000-04:002006-08-23T14:47:00.000-04:00Thanks guys. It was in '99 and life does go on. ...Thanks guys. It was in '99 and life does go on. I mean, I have three other great kids. <BR/><BR/>And...yes, as presented in the comments I'd be more apt to read it. I have plans on a nonfiction dealing with the subject from another point of view. I've queried several agents and they like it, but I don't have the name or platform yet. Sigh.<BR/><BR/>But, from what I read of the opening, it didn't sound like the same story mentioned in the comment thread.<BR/><BR/>The story of a strong mom dealing with a special child during a tough time...yes.<BR/><BR/>As a plot device just to move the story along and play on the reader's feelings...nope.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with it:--)Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15060752369115661100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156356197972875062006-08-23T14:03:00.000-04:002006-08-23T14:03:00.000-04:00EE, I am printing your comment and pasting it to m...EE, I am printing your comment and pasting it to my forehead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156355160155577572006-08-23T13:46:00.000-04:002006-08-23T13:46:00.000-04:00Would ANYONE read it, given that the message is a ...<I>Would ANYONE read it, given that the message is a celebration of a young life, and a tribute to a strong mother?</I><BR/><BR/>It's a rare disease or tragedy that hasn't been written about and published. Of course people read them. My guess is, there are people who lost loved ones on 9/11 who couldn't handle seeing <I>World Trade Center</I>, but millions are seeing it. Whether the book celebrates a young life and a strong mother, or attempts to get out information about neuroblastoma, or is a standard tearjerker, it should have an audience if it's well-written. Even those who today couldn't handle it may feel differently in ten years.Evil Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03879826770199639420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156353284884750482006-08-23T13:14:00.000-04:002006-08-23T13:14:00.000-04:00It seems that the premise of this story causes a s...It seems that the premise of this story causes a strong reaction. My question is this: would ANYONE read it, given that the message is a celebration of a young life, and a tribute to a strong mother? <BR/><BR/>My cousin's little boy was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Stage IV when he was three. He and his mother battled the disease for five years, a period that included a one-year remission and the arrival of a new baby sister. My cousin kept a detailed journal almost every day, and she shared with us her many joys and sorrows. We all benefited from it.<BR/><BR/>It is with her permission that I decided to write my little cousin's character into the book.<BR/>Yes, it's painful - my cousin can confirm that. But she shared everything with our large family and anyone else who logged onto her blog, and we were all inspired by her strength, her spirit and her bravery. We also swelled with pride for our little boy who gave us so much joy in his short life. <BR/><BR/>I think, perhaps, a book like this can help readers understand what a parent goes through. Maybe they have family members or friends who are going through the same thing, people who can't communicate their pain. <BR/><BR/>Jean, and anon 8:10, I feel terrible for your loss, and sympathize with you, and totally understand why you wouldn't want to read about such a painful subject. I guess my final question is: would anyone read about it if it's presented in a sensitive and sympathetic manner? If not, then I'll stop right now and rewrite.<BR/><BR/>I am a mother of two children too, and during Austin's battle, I thanked God for my kids' health every day. They got lots of extra hugs.<BR/><BR/>Think of this as an impromptu market research session. I value everyone's opinions.<BR/><BR/>(EE, sorry about the long post.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156353495871811232006-08-23T13:18:00.000-04:002006-08-23T13:18:00.000-04:00Jean, I am so sorry for your loss.Jean, I am so sorry for your loss.Staciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969399927758009095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156345300576100122006-08-23T11:01:00.000-04:002006-08-23T11:01:00.000-04:00We lost our 5 year old daughter to neuroblastoma a...We lost our 5 year old daughter to neuroblastoma after a year of chemo and a bone marrow transplant. I can honestly say, this is something I'd NEVER read. I'm betting most people who have had anything to do with cancer in any form or fashion will pass on this too.<BR/><BR/>Been there, done that, don't want to read about someone else doing it.<BR/><BR/><BR/>word veri... puomg My thoughts exactly...pu, oh my gosh:--)Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15060752369115661100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156343200483969142006-08-23T10:26:00.000-04:002006-08-23T10:26:00.000-04:00Yuck on the story line for me. Just not my taste....Yuck on the story line for me. Just not my taste. But, then again, I was disappointed in X-Men III because I think it turned out to be a chick-flick.<BR/><BR/>I really hoped it was #6. -JTCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156340289130389192006-08-23T09:38:00.000-04:002006-08-23T09:38:00.000-04:00I hoped for #4.I'm with anon 8:10.I hoped for #4.<BR/><BR/>I'm with anon 8:10.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083327647412477394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156335021543239642006-08-23T08:10:00.000-04:002006-08-23T08:10:00.000-04:00As the mother of two children, and the wife of a m...As the mother of two children, and the wife of a man who lost his 12-year old sister cancer, I woulding read this, nor do I know too many mothers of young children who would.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156299889808439842006-08-22T22:24:00.000-04:002006-08-22T22:24:00.000-04:00Poor EE, you didn't have fun with this one. Sorry ...Poor EE, you didn't have fun with this one. Sorry 'bout that. I like Guess #2 the best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-1156293524863779772006-08-22T20:38:00.000-04:002006-08-22T20:38:00.000-04:00Sounds like a beautiful story. (and possibly heart...Sounds like a beautiful story. (and possibly heartbreaking)<BR/><BR/>But you might want to consider a different phrase than "feisty woman." Just one of those phrases that seems condescending to me (like "the little woman").Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com