Subject: ConCrit
Author:
Posted on: 2013-08-19 22:00:00 UTC

Overall, I think this is a fascinating story starter. The dialogue is smooth and clever, and I like the descriptions of your characters. I did find a few nitpicky grammar/formatting slipups, which I've included below.

Other than that, I kind of got the feeling from the writing style that you were trying very hard to write in an imperious, intelligent voice. It's a style I've noticed crops up a lot in the PPC, and in some cases not one I'm particularly fond of. Frankly, it would be more entertaining with shorter sentences and a more casual tone. You're telling a story, not trying to impress a law professor. Ease up a little!
Okay, here goes...

"Inside a large flying object miles above a larger planetary object, a conversation was going on about a population of recently developed apes." This sentence is a little clumsy. I honestly don't even think you need it at all. The next sentence is a perfectly adequate opening line, and inspires more curiosity from the reader.

"...with one perched on a large block, and the other lay curled in a nest of tentacles." Should be "...and the other lying..."

Start a new paragraph each time there's dialogue.

" "But thats' jus it hon'rable..." Should be "But that's jus' it, hon'rable..."

"The pillbug waited for the statement to sink in before continuing. "I think that these apes are a menace to galactic economy. If they can replicate our technology, then surely they can find cheap alternatives that will put entire planets out of a job." The nest of tentacles paled as it..." No new paragraph before the first sentence. Paragraph break after "job."

"...we can fine' out da apes secret..." Should be "...we can fin' out da apes' secret..."

"Its last thoughts would roughly translate to: Not the greys!" Italicize the thought.

"Meanwhile.." Three periods, not two. Always three.

"Far away from the planet that would later be known as Earth, a multi-fanged smile spread across the face of a reptilian humanoid that had been listening in on the conversation about the fate of the humanity's precursors." This is an unweildy sentence, and it would read better broken up and dumbed down a bit. Maybe you could sub out somethin along the lines of: "Far away from the planet that would later be known as Earth, a reptilian humanoid smiled slowly, exposing countless razor-sharp fangs. It had overheard everything."

I'm sorry if anything I've said seems inflammatory or insulting, particularly the bit on tone. I hope my feedback is helpful!

-- Len

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