This is the first of my evaluation of a writing exercise, A Curssed Pet, which I shared on January 8th, 2023.
This is an example of rushed and poorly edited writing. As I found myself pressed for time, I wrote only one or two paragraphs at a time. This process results in significant repetition of descriptions and elements.
The narrative has its strengths, but it also suffers from several technical shortcomings that detract from its overall effectiveness. There is too much Lovecraft in the style, and the lack of holistic editing is painfully evident.
Why did I rush?
A key intention of this exercise is to force me to write and complete a story. I knew going into this that there would be some regrettable ones, and it's fitting that the first one is.
The pacing of the story is uneven, largely due to its dense and descriptive Lovecraftian prose. While I am happy with the atmospheric vibe, it slowed the narrative momentum. The story often revisits similar descriptions of the house and characters' emotions, which, while evocative, leads to redundancy. This repetition not only affects the pacing but also diminishes the impact of the imagery over time. I rolled my eyes a few times at this.
I also include several repetitive plot points that create a confusing timeline and potentially introduce continuity errors.
I could have done better with keeping Mysty's nature ambiguous. I wanted to have readers suspicious of her, but wonder if she is protecting the family. It think I failed at that attempt.
Any two or three paragraphs in isolation seem to work, but the whole work needs significant editing.
Next prompt:
I was young once, perhaps yesterday, maybe today before I really don't remember.
I'll publish this new short story on February 19th to be reviewed on March 4th
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