tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post26354658780140479..comments2024-03-18T13:32:44.865-04:00Comments on Evil Editor: New Beginning 526Evil Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03879826770199639420noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-34173798678602055922008-07-11T00:33:00.000-04:002008-07-11T00:33:00.000-04:00"Is it wrong to say, I've never been published but..."Is it wrong to say, I've never been published but I've enjoyed every rejected word?"<BR/><BR/>No, It's very, very right! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! I hope you do, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-59850705959207377942008-07-10T17:21:00.000-04:002008-07-10T17:21:00.000-04:00Thanks, I try hard to write well.Thanks, I try hard to write well.Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-68029000342986966512008-07-10T14:53:00.000-04:002008-07-10T14:53:00.000-04:00I like this. I would definitely read on. Different...I like this. I would definitely read on. Different than other styles in which I've read of your work, Dave. You're getting very skilled.<BR/><BR/>Love the continuation, Bill H!Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03365582623380288038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-88221795039969570342008-07-10T09:33:00.000-04:002008-07-10T09:33:00.000-04:00This is heavy duty stuff — a placing of facts in t...This is heavy duty stuff — a placing of facts in the absence of any character or obvious setting.<BR/><BR/>But — it's engaging, and I'm happy to wait for more 'cinematic' specifics.Whirlochrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09846196906206886945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-21282527667826420612008-07-10T07:24:00.000-04:002008-07-10T07:24:00.000-04:00I wasn't sure what kind of story this was going to...I wasn't sure what kind of story this was going to be. The second paragraph in particular had me thinking that this was intended as inspirational literature, so really not my scene.fairyhedgehoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14141089706966852951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-25905519224080334762008-07-09T23:51:00.000-04:002008-07-09T23:51:00.000-04:00Dave-- I just happened to finish watching this ser...Dave-- I just happened to finish watching this series--<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYlMEOGMAFY&feature=related<BR/><BR/>as research for brain damage <BR/><BR/>(gooping or not to goop?)<BR/><BR/>Nueroscience is kicking religion's hind-quarters at the moment...Scott from Oregonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01331284708780612453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-32319027946865600372008-07-09T23:31:00.000-04:002008-07-09T23:31:00.000-04:00McKoala - Rannoch it is, near to Inverness Scotlan...McKoala - Rannoch it is, near to Inverness Scotland. Also near to Cawdor. <BR/>Another mistake here is the monks can't be Benedictine. Historically, they would be Cistercian, commonly called "White Monks" after their robes. <BR/><BR/>Talpiana - processional trappings are the same for many religions. Some symbol is carried in front and the air is incensed to drive away unwanted spirits and then blessed. I think Beltane took the trappings from the Catholic Church. But then, the Catholic Church stole them from the Greeks and Romans. <BR/><BR/>The Easter Vigil is the most holy of all masses. From Good Friday until the vigil -- the Roman Catholic church is dark, stripped, silent. Not even the candle signifying the presence of God is lit, for Jesus has been crucified and lays in the grave. <BR/>That is why the fire is kindled. It symbolized the resurrection of the dead. The triumph of faith over death. It is the fire from the Exodus of the Jews - The pillar that led Moses from Egypt, the Pillar that confounded the army of Pharaoh and destroyed them in the Red Sea. Christ the light, the pillar of fire that frees us from the fires of hell, the despair of death and brings us into the light of God. <BR/>This is the first time since Ash Wednesday (when all Catholics are reminded "from dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return" that the GLORIA is sung. <BR/><BR/>Back in HS, I was an alter boy at these services. It is my faith. I get carried away with some of the descriptions. That's why I put sent the opening to EE. <BR/><BR/>1155 was the first year of Henry II who was Catholic and brought peace to England and Scotland. King Stephen before him left a mess of internal fighting and squabbling. Henry, the first Angevin King brought order. It was a happy time for the Church. A time of promise. The promise spring and the new growth, the promise of Easter and salvation. But not here at this abbey. <BR/><BR/>And historically, Catholicism was the religion of England and Scotland until Henry VIII and the Reformation in 1533. <BR/><BR/>JEB, <BR/>I will add a touch of description for the abbey. And I will tone down my overambitious descriptions of the resurrection as I do that.Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-61447717785436989522008-07-09T22:40:00.000-04:002008-07-09T22:40:00.000-04:00Agree on the denseness of that first para and the ...Agree on the denseness of that first para and the repetition of 'light'. <BR/>Also, if this is by any chance a Scottish Abbey, 'Rannoch' would be the usual spelling.McKoalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01457446171624585099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-64203777237472974762008-07-09T22:19:00.000-04:002008-07-09T22:19:00.000-04:00This ritual is unfamiliar to me. Is it Roman Cath...This ritual is unfamiliar to me. Is it Roman Catholic? It made me think of Beltane ceremonies rather than a Christian rite, so I was thinking "alternate history?"<BR/><BR/>Is there something special about 1155? I thought it might have been one of those supernovas observed in medieval times, but it doesn't appear in the list.talpiannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13978075304795724185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-45239266572109000042008-07-09T22:07:00.000-04:002008-07-09T22:07:00.000-04:00Hey Scott-That's interesting information on the 'g...Hey Scott-<BR/><BR/>That's interesting information on the 'god part of the brain'. Makes sense. Thanks.<BR/><BR/>Dave, I don't know enough about this type of fiction to give you a useful opinion. It seemed heavy to me in the first two paragraphs, and I really liked the third paragraph - for me, that was the beginning. But that's just me!<BR/><BR/>Good continuation, by the way.Robin S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03258459688300851984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-85578646120062317332008-07-09T20:22:00.000-04:002008-07-09T20:22:00.000-04:00Oh, and 'Method-Directing' is hilarious!Oh, and 'Method-Directing' is hilarious!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-8345260903953796392008-07-09T20:21:00.000-04:002008-07-09T20:21:00.000-04:00Although I read quite a lot of medieval-set fictio...Although I read quite a lot of medieval-set fiction, and thus prepared to enjoy this, I too was blinded by the repetitious images of light (and fire).<BR/><BR/>A judicious snip of unneeded phrases in the middle may bring the combined lumens down to a level where spectators can follow the action.<BR/><BR/>"In the year of Our Lord 1155, Benedictine Monks gathered at Rannock Abbey to celebrate the vigil of Easter. The invited faithful watched as the monks kindled the the Easter fire <...cut to...>, representing the Pillar of Fire that plundered Egypt, the light of Salvation and Risen Savior...."<BR/><BR/>You get rid of 'enLIGHTen', 'newly created FIRE', and LIGHT (representing..) with that one cut.<BR/><BR/>My other quibble is the lack of sensory detail other than light and fire. Are they indoors or out in the courtyard? Sunrise or still dark? What does the church smell like: incense, damp cold, bodies and clothing unwashed since last summer? What are 'the faithful' wearing: rich clothing or peasant rags (I assume rich, but I could be wrong)? Does candlelight pick up jewels on rich men's fingers or on the altar fittings? Are the monks chanting while the flame is being lit, or is there a waiting silence?<BR/><BR/>This is not to say I want a pile of description up front, just more scene-setting than 'Rannock Abbey' and 'fire'.<BR/><BR/>The third paragraph, representing a big change from the usual Easter service familiar to all the 'invited faithful' will have more impact if you ground the reader more thoroughly in the setting and people beforehand.<BR/><BR/>All that aside, I'm interested to see who the story will follow, and what changes will be wrought in their lives in the wake of the comet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-56083078833014671602008-07-09T20:15:00.000-04:002008-07-09T20:15:00.000-04:00Thanks Bernita. - - - - - And Scott, I don't know...Thanks Bernita. <BR/> - - - - - <BR/>And Scott, I don't know what to say other than I will give someone in the story an epileptic seizure or at least make them a hypochondriac.Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-57131584359893069012008-07-09T19:36:00.000-04:002008-07-09T19:36:00.000-04:00Wendy, I can be so blind to faults or problems in ...Wendy, <BR/>I can be so blind to faults or problems in my writing. It's one of my problems. My words are so wonderful they look perfect to me. And I'm the first to roll my eyeballs at that. I know better than to believe it. <BR/><BR/>I don't know what's hot or not. I just write for myself. But that statement is only half true. I can show you four rejection letters from the past week.<BR/><BR/>Is it wrong to say, I've never been published but I've enjoyed every rejected word?Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-90307873329133309772008-07-09T19:02:00.000-04:002008-07-09T19:02:00.000-04:00Well done, Dave!Well done, Dave!Bernitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264585685253812090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-44516873511763559292008-07-09T18:49:00.000-04:002008-07-09T18:49:00.000-04:00"The imagery of "light" is omnipresent. After this..."The imagery of "light" is omnipresent. After this event, the abbey is abandoned as evil."<BR/><BR/>Light is a common hallucination when something goes amiss in the temporal lobe, often called the god section of the brain.<BR/><BR/>Epileptic seizures in this area, as well as blunt trauma and deprivation of oxygen, all cause some kind of light "visions".<BR/><BR/>There are many who assert that most "mystics" were simply temporal lobe epileptics.Scott from Oregonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01331284708780612453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-87134564023180849942008-07-09T17:56:00.000-04:002008-07-09T17:56:00.000-04:00If Ms. Goodman is correct, I'm hosed. Guess I'll ...If Ms. Goodman is correct, I'm hosed. Guess I'll let Kincaid die in NM and forget American historical fiction.<BR/><BR/>And Brenda, you gotta stop with the new pic. I'm only human.Weshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03077791761104576436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-89513934778038614552008-07-09T17:19:00.000-04:002008-07-09T17:19:00.000-04:00Dave, I haven't noticed you being blind to much of...Dave, I haven't noticed you being blind to much of anything, quite the opposite.<BR/><BR/>Ms. Goodman's "What IN" <BR/>craft themed fiction (knitting, quilts etc., Female protagonists in thrillers (Buffy derivatives / damsel in control...), IN romance = old-school is now in style, Historical fiction especially Tudors and Elizabethan, sexy royal soap operas, Erotica (both good and bad erotica), Urban Fantasy - THE hottest thing is YA urban fantasy with female protagonist.<BR/><BR/>Ugh! Sometimes I wonder if I should stop watching the market and keep my eyes on the keyboard. Anyway, I guess it's always good to know which direction the wind is blowing.<BR/><BR/>I dunno, Dave, maybe one of the faithful could weave bandages of gold for a dying sun.<BR/><BR/>If your hearts in the story the trend will come round again. Unfortunately, I threw my leggings out two year ago!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-63283719065241104652008-07-09T16:53:00.000-04:002008-07-09T16:53:00.000-04:00Anonymous, I don't understand why you are troubled...Anonymous, <BR/>I don't understand why you are troubled by "deacon"... <BR/>The Exultet is an idiomatic and highly stylized poem. If I quoted the Latin, no one would understand. I had 3 years of Latin in grade school, and I can't remember anything but a few phrases. I can just imagine how incomprehensible it would be to someone who didn't go to school with nuns and priests. <BR/><BR/>"Plundered Egypt" refers to the Biblical exodus of the Jews from Egypt. See Exodus in the KJV or NAB.Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-37465113425180698032008-07-09T16:26:00.000-04:002008-07-09T16:26:00.000-04:00Wendy, I gotta check that out. I knew the image wa...Wendy, <BR/>I gotta check that out. I knew the image was strong, so I may be blind to its overuse. <BR/><BR/>It is the Blessing of Light that is interrupted. The Easter Vigil when fire is kindled outside of the darkened church and the light that was extinguished on Good Friday with the Crucifixion, returns to take its place in the church. <BR/><BR/>Three times the procession stops to invoke "Lumen Christi". And when they reach the alter, the Deacon intones the Exultet with the words I put in the opening. This is the light that guides the believers. <BR/><BR/>The imagery of "light" is omnipresent. After this event, the abbey is abandoned as evil. <BR/><BR/>FYI - The Wikipedia entries on "Easter Vigil" and "Exultet" explain some of the Roman Rite. The Exultet dates back to the 7th and possibly the 5th century AD.Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-16870271060455788592008-07-09T16:09:00.000-04:002008-07-09T16:09:00.000-04:00Plundered Egypt?What is a deacon doing speaking En...Plundered Egypt?<BR/><BR/>What is a deacon doing speaking English in 1155?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-37048599582309819732008-07-09T15:21:00.000-04:002008-07-09T15:21:00.000-04:00It doesn't last long, but in the late 6th and earl...It doesn't last long, but in the late 6th and early 7th centuries, King Æthelberht managed to combine the seven southern kingdoms into one, introduced a code of laws, promoted public education, and allowed the Catholic church back into England. The Normans fixed that. It did have long-lasting effects, though.<BR/><BR/>--Bill H.WouldBehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17384050055381698411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-9678741881585761482008-07-09T15:13:00.000-04:002008-07-09T15:13:00.000-04:00cozy mysteries without any hook, paranormal romanc...<I>cozy mysteries without any hook, paranormal romance, biblically based quest for a legendary object, macho guys, chick lit, American historical fiction, male private-eyes, English village mystery</I><BR/><BR/>Wow... what's IN then?<BR/><BR/>And I don't see paranormal romance dying anytime soon. Anyone note Allison Brennan's newest sell through Trident?Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083327647412477394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-18196638597617995382008-07-09T14:53:00.000-04:002008-07-09T14:53:00.000-04:00Nice job, Dave. Great voice; it helps set the sce...Nice job, Dave. Great voice; it helps set the scene and draws the reader in (or at least this reader).Weshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03077791761104576436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26791026.post-70232598664968412362008-07-09T14:47:00.000-04:002008-07-09T14:47:00.000-04:00Bill, A friend and I keep discussing this story. H...Bill, <BR/>A friend and I keep discussing this story. He says and I've read the history books: <BR/><I>There is an air of tranquility and piece. England is no longer split in war with itself. No longer does Empress Maud (Matilda) fight to regain her rightful place from the usurper <BR/>Empress Maud's son is now King.. (Henry 2) Life seems better. It is the 1st Easter after Stephen's death. The service was looked on as a double meaning The resurrection of the Christ and the rebirth of the English nation. </I><BR/><BR/>And eventually a few hundred years later, Henry VIII throws out the Catholics and despoils the churches. <BR/><BR/>As for Girl Scouts - What a wild alternate history that would be.Dave Fragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17985158361431606939noreply@blogger.com