[stylist] DBG 7 (completely new chapter)

[LoriStay at aol.com]

Well, maybe few families of this sort.   Sometimes they are made families 
through adoption, or like one of my chapter members, whose children are 
blind, as she is, through a hereditary condition.   But we are talking about 
fiction, which has to be structured so as to focus on one or two main 
characters.   That is the biggest problem here.   Who are the main characters?   The 
witch mother?   Nadia?   The child living with the dragon?   The dragon 
itself?   If this is a civilization run by dragons, we need to see more dragons.  
 And knowing humans, we need to see more resentment of any creature that 
presumes itself superior to humans.
Also, it is important to define the character of the magic used.   For 
example, when I write a magical character, the reader is aware that the 
character can shield out magic of other magical creatures, but not all the time, and 
some are stronger than others.   Also, what are the limits of magic?   Are 
the people shape shifters?   Can they alter material reality?   Is it all 
illusion?   You need to answer these questions for yourself so you have a firm 
basis for the magic in the story.  If there is no structure, then the non 
magical characters cannot win and the major dramatic question is answered.   
If the major dramatic question is answered too early, the reader will stop 
reading, and the tension of the story is lost.   (This is more important in 
romances and mysteries, but it seems to me that it also applies to science 
fiction, because sci fi is usually a cowboy story writ large.)
Lori

In a message dated 9/15/09 9:45:10 PM, jbron at optonline.net writes:


> There is a lot going on here.  Somehow you have to describe these things 
> in
> your narrative.  I had the same questions as Lori.  To me, the sudden
> entrance of all these characters who seemed totally wierd didn't do 
> anything
> for the story.  In truth, adding these characters with their sub plots
> detracts from what you are trying to do.  Keep in mind that there is no
> community comprised of a bunch of families who all have handicapped
> children.  Judith
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "helene ryles" <dreamavdb at googlemail.com>
> To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 6:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [stylist] DBG 7 (completely new chapter)
> 
> 
> Hi Lora,
> Thanks for getting back to me.
> As to the questions:
> 
> Why does it take the husband four children to realize what a monster he
> married?
> He is in denial. He loves this woman even though he must have realised
> what she's like. Notice how he realises and is about to get Liza to
> care for Nadia, but then afterwards he pulls out and goes back into
> being in denial.
> What purpose does it serve to have them bring up their daughter as their
> son?
> Madrella wants a boy. So she simply pretends Nadia is male. It's an
> extreme example of parents who will try to mould children into what
> they want instead of accepting what they have got. That's madrella's
> reason.
> As for Mr Murat, it's all part of his denial. Madrella tells him that
> Nadia is male so he just goes along with that.
> Is it truly necessary to have so many disabled people in the story?
> Yes. It's all part of the story.
> Do you ever explain why the witch/mother won't admit Nadia is a girl?
> I'm hoping it should become aparant by her behaviour.
> (Don't forget, I'm reading this as a sample chapter)
> Why would anyone cut off a perfectly healthy leg to feed it to a dragon?
> The country is run by dragons. Some Dragons just see humans the way we
> see other animals.
> 
> Helene
> 
> On 15/09/2009, LoriStay at aol.com <LoriStay at aol.com> wrote:
> > I have to admit, this is a very good question (that is, "What kind of a
> > monster have I married?").   I haven't been following the story because 
> we
> > went
> > away for the weekend but I started to read this to see what you were up
> > to.
> >
> > So I have questions.
> > Why does it take the husband four children to realize what a monster he
> > married?
> > What purpose does it serve to have them bring up their daughter as their
> > son?
> > Is it truly necessary to have so many disabled people in the story?
> > Do you ever explain why the witch/mother won't admit Nadia is a girl?
> > (Don't forget, I'm reading this as a sample chapter)
> > Why would anyone cut off a perfectly healthy leg to feed it to a dragon?
> > I know the reasons you gave, but can't quite believe them.   You may 
> have
> > gone too far here.
> >
> >  "My wife was a little put out when the cochlear implant failed to
> >> work, so she started being a little silly with the staff that works
> >> here.
> >
> > Talk about understatement!
> >
> >
> > If you think these are rude questions or comments, they are the ones 
> that
> > any editor will ask.
> > Lori
> >
> > In a message dated 9/15/09 4:06:50 PM, poetlori8 at msn.com writes:
> >
> >
> >>
> >> > “Oh Lord! What kind of monster have I married?”
> >>
> >
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