Just so you know, I think you are already far passed “complete-beginner territory”. I read “Feudal Future” and enjoyed it very much, although it is very different from what I write. I noticed you used little narration and a lot of dialogue, though maybe it was just the format that gave me this impression. Anyway, I thought I could definitely see this story as a play, or maybe a movie. Ever tried writing plays?

Thanks for the compliments on my English. It’s reassuring to know that people at least understand what I’m saying… I’d say my biggest problem is vocabulary, but I guess it doesn’t show too much when I’m casual writing.

Sadly, I cannot link to anything of me. The stories under my real name aren’t published on the net, and I don’t want to link to what I use as a training ground because I want to keep my pseudonym, well, anonymous, for obvious reasons. I hope you’ll understand. Maybe when I write new stuff I’ll show it to you somehow. Can’t guarantee that I will do so shortly.

If you were talking about the books I mentioned, they are pretty known works that you could find in any large bookstore. Look them up on google if you want the authors or any such detail.

I’ll keep on visiting here every once in a while. I still have read only about 2% of what’s on your blog, so we are likely to communicate again.

See you later. (Figuratively, of course.)

Im not French, but I worked in Paris for several years by the way. I’d reply in French, but I feel better to stick to one single language for the blog.

I felt your English was perfect. I didnt notice any errors that jumped out at me, and thought you were native English-speaking until you claimed not to be.

You didnt provide a link to any of your stories. I’d be curious to read some.

I got a job, about a month ago, so I’m pretty much out-of-the-circuit for now, but you never know, I might come back in sometime…

I just stumbled upon this while googling “sympathetic”. I read this entry out of curiosity and, being a wannabe writer too, I felt compelled to respond.

I wanted to let you know that I entirely disagree with your stance on what makes sympathetic characters, and on the importance of sympathetic characters.

First, I believe that what makes characters sympathetic isn’t benevolence, but truthfulness. Think of it. Wikipedia defines sympathy as being “a social affinity in which one person stands with another person, closely understanding his or her feelings.” Therefore, to find a character sympathetic, a reader must be able to identify with it, to understand its motivations, be those good or evil. The best way to achieve this? Truthfulness.

Take Spike from the Buffy series for an example. For the major part of the series, he is completely and absolutely self-centered. Yet we can’t help but like him. He is openly evil, but he is true. Even he admits to being a devious little bastard.

Now think of a hypocritical character that would be very generous or helpful, without realizing that he only wants to draw attention to himself. He genuinely tries to be charitable, but becomes enraged every time attention is driven off him. Not very likable now, would he be?

Second, as both reader and author, I think “perfect” characters are far less interesting than “flawed” characters. Have you ever read American Psycho? La Nausée? The Exorcist? How can you have good character development if your character is already perfect? All you can make is Hollywood-themed action crap or “feel-good” stories. Of course, those CAN be very good, like the Forest Gump movie, for instance, but saying that sympathetic characters are an absolute necessity is, in my opinion, more than wrong.

On a last note — and you may very well disregard this, considering that I too am nothing but a wannabe writer — I’d advise you to stop trying to make people like your stories in order to focus on the content of said stories. You seem to say that it is okay to make deus ex machinas to ensure that everything ends well for the hero. To me, this is blasphemy. Realism within the frame of the story is a must.

Anyhow, you entry was a lot of fun to read even though I disagreed with virtually everything. Also, excuse me for any grammar errors or awkward syntax. I am French and still learning English. Sometimes I use French syntax with English words. Might be weird.

http://hamsterrepublic.com/ohrrpgce/index.php/Downloads.html

Might be of interest.

I loved the zombie flash mob.

I laughed out loud at several points, like clicking the email every four seconds in case there’s a new email, and the semicolon being so complicated that he couldn’t continue writing. Oh, and needing the loo.

At the end, I don’t know if my eyes were exactly watering, but I found it really moving, and I really enjoyed the whole thing. It was really well done I felt.