The Hermit Colony

At left, a photo by Simon Egan on wikicommons. It's a type of hermit crab.

Wonderful picture. Great that Simon allows it to be used.

I love the eyes. Beady.

Remember the Monty Python skit where all the hermits hung out in a big colony?  I loved that one.

I received some advice three years ago. Storytelling is more exciting when you character has someone with which to speak. Conversation enhances the tale.

I try to follow that myself. I really try and follow it when something dramatic occurs.
I read some work for feedback tonight where the tale came to the reader straight from the internal dialog of the character. Never once was there interaction with another individual.

It was no a tale of nuclear holocaust.

I critiqued the language and sentence construction as the author requested. They didn't solicit more general input so I didn't offer any. Nevertheless, the story was a non-starter for me.

I'm reading Thanks, But The Isn't for Us: A (Sort) of Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected. Jessica Morell is the author.

No writing book is perfect; but, her lessons are consistent with solid craft advice. It is more direct than Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway and Elizabeth Stuckey-French.

But then, that's good.

We cave dwellers can use a little straight talk once in a while.

Look deep into my beady eyes. I too am crabby and a little like a hermit. It's the weather.

I'm off to straighten out some edits.

I hope you're doing the same.