Reviews For Rise and Fall
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Reviewer: Marzee Doats Signed [Report This]
Date: 09 Nov 2009 11:26:32 PM Title: Rise and Fall

Penny,

First off, I must apologize for benig the person who came up with this particular pairing, and really without giving it the thought it truly deserved.  This wasn't really a fair challenge.  How could anyone write Mitch/Skylar after all?  It makes no sense. 

But, oh, what you came up with, the seriousness with which you took this challenge, it all blows me away.  This was a powerful piece.

To start, I love the way you start the new scenelets with language that sounds like it's from an anthropological field report.  It really works, giving us just that little bit of distance we need as we watch this train wreck of a relationship unfold.

There's no redeeming Mitch of course, and I'm glad you didn't try.  Concentrating on the rise and fall of Skylar was the way to go.  I found the following, especially coupled together to be especially effective:

 The people of Jericho soon learned to speak their names with fear. Later, many would have cause to speak the same names with anger, terror, and wrenching regret.


Skylar Stevens' life of crime ended as abruptly as it had begun. Once again, the difference was made by one object. This time, it was a baby doll with a dirty face.

 

This one makes my head swim every time I read it.  You did an amazing job.



Author's Response:

Thanks Marzee!

No need to apologize, I must thank you again for giving me an interesting prompt that I would never have thought of. I really enjoyed opening my mind to possibilities and stretching my own boundaries in this one.

I don`t think I would try to redeem Mitch, you`re right, it wouldn`t work, and I don`t really think that`s what interests me anyway. Skylar is a more dynamic character, and that`s what I liked exploring here.

Thanks again, for the prompt, and for the feedback!

Reviewer: SandraDee Signed [Report This]
Date: 17 Oct 2009 11:26:37 PM Title: Rise and Fall

Penny,

You have really outdone yourself!  What a superb installment to your Romance of the Absurd series! 

I was taken by how seemingly insignificant objects--the necklace and the baby doll--played such important roles in Skylar's turning points.  I was fascinated how the blood on the necklace signified the change in course of Skylar's life to one of a life of violence and crime.  Alternately, the baby doll represented a return to innocence, or some facsimile.  It's strange how objects can cast a spotlight on actions, but it happens in real life, too. 

Speaking of actions, I was fascinated to see the choices that Skylar had made.  From the Dale/Heather story earlier in your RotA series, I wondered what had become of Skylar, so I was excited to get the opportunity to find out.

Thank you for sharing this story with us!



Author's Response:

Thanks, Sandra!

I enjoyed writing this different kind of piece, a departure in a way, at least from how I have written Skylar before.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

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