Marvelous opening paragraph, by the way. I love the opposing images of the crone and the pregnant woman!

And something good does always come of these things… it forced me to sit back and take a really hard look at “the writing” on offer here and the stories in their genre homes BEFORE I cast my vote. And having cast my vote – I know it went where I wanted it to go -not where a knee jerk reaction would have sent it

While I may have been overly harsh perhaps with my critique – I do understand now it fits within the genre (if darling Anna has got the wink on the money). Thus the insights which come through discussions – in a round a bout sort of fashion.

To new beginnings!

PS: and I hate to think we were pap for reality TV voyeurism (considering I don’t think either of us are really drawn to that sort of histronics!)

I don’t mind putting myself in the firing line but I expect what comes back at me to be about my critique not myself as a critiquer. That is the first rule in critiquing – it is always about the writing and the story at hand – never about the writer. It is always about specifics and never about generalities. On that count I am probably at fault with my final comment – buying too much into this reality TV bull.

I’d love to see you make it through this round and show us all with your next piece of writing you are as much the imaginative, grounded and humorous writer who I became a fan of during the pre-contest.

What I do know, however, is that I didn’t come here to have my writing dissected and workshopped. Perhaps I should have better prepared myself for this eventuality, considering the public and interactive nature of this competition.

But you too should also be prepared for a critique of your critique. This is a reality show, is it not? You cannot gouge and not expect to be gouged back.

I am not entirely without blame myself so I shall put aside the sarcastic undertones in your last comment’s closing sentence. We will just have to politely agree to disagree.
Nora.

Unlike Tuck it seems you have little stomach for honest critique.

And what was written here was certainly not intended as “vote not rant” – I already had in mind where I would be casting my vote – but in light of this I’ll definitely be reconsidering where my vote goes tonight.

Best of luck in the voting.

And your MC’s reaction to postulations of her husband having “gentleman time” (as I heard it referred to in United States of Tara last night) with pornographic internet photos – it doesn’t ring true to me. She’s be upset (which she is), she’d be angry (perhaps) – but I’m not sure just how easy those emotions segue into serene (because that’s what the image of the moon evokes) contemplation of sensuous adventure.

I think what is bothering me – is the imagery is not matching the emotions in the scene and the some of the descriptions (such as the desk) if necessary could have been inserted at the beginning.

It just doesn’t do it for me Nora I have to say.