Dry Season
Two lives connected in time (see notes first)33 total reviews
Comment from LilHippie
This was very well written, very engrossing. Usually, when there is even a hint of war/weapons/fighting in a movie or in print, all I hear/see is "Blah, blah, blah blah, yadda yadda yadda." But this was very human, engrossing and sad. We always think of the worst Vietname soldier horror stories we heard back then from friends/neighbors returning home. Eddie's horrible job of cleaning those cans from the port o potties, painted a different picture of another aspect of it, and then the rest is just sad, sadder, saddest, for both sides. Very well written and so poignant at the end.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2012
This was very well written, very engrossing. Usually, when there is even a hint of war/weapons/fighting in a movie or in print, all I hear/see is "Blah, blah, blah blah, yadda yadda yadda." But this was very human, engrossing and sad. We always think of the worst Vietname soldier horror stories we heard back then from friends/neighbors returning home. Eddie's horrible job of cleaning those cans from the port o potties, painted a different picture of another aspect of it, and then the rest is just sad, sadder, saddest, for both sides. Very well written and so poignant at the end.
Comment Written 11-Apr-2012
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2012
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Thanks for reaching back into the archives! I appreciate your kind words. Bill
Comment from Juliette Chamberlain
Strange how one line can convey so many memories - and yet it is so fitting.
An interesting story about the Vietnam conflict and Eddie's memories. I do like the way you have brought the story up to date too.
'straight forward/straightforward.'
Juliette
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2012
Strange how one line can convey so many memories - and yet it is so fitting.
An interesting story about the Vietnam conflict and Eddie's memories. I do like the way you have brought the story up to date too.
'straight forward/straightforward.'
Juliette
Comment Written 11-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2012
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Thanks for reading Juliette and for the spot. Regards, Bill
Comment from Permelia
I wrote a long review on this story and forgot to save it. So tonight I am just going to comment on how much I enjoyed this story of how two men in two different countries could have so much in commn, and not know it. One reason I enjoyed this story, I adopted two young teenagers from vietnam when the country fell.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2012
I wrote a long review on this story and forgot to save it. So tonight I am just going to comment on how much I enjoyed this story of how two men in two different countries could have so much in commn, and not know it. One reason I enjoyed this story, I adopted two young teenagers from vietnam when the country fell.
Comment Written 11-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2012
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Thanks for reading and the wonderful compliment of the six. There has to be a story there with your two teenagers! Bill
Comment from Rama Rao
Having read the two stories earlier, I find this like a well manicured lawn. You have removed all the weeds and trimmed it into good shape. I am sure you can sell it to any magazine. Wish you good luck.
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2012
Having read the two stories earlier, I find this like a well manicured lawn. You have removed all the weeds and trimmed it into good shape. I am sure you can sell it to any magazine. Wish you good luck.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2012
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Thank you very much for reading and your kind comments. I sent out a copy to a magazine yesterday, so will see what happens. Regards, Bill
Comment from Rattler
I very much liked how you told the story from several perspectives. I connected right off the bat being from Louisiana Go! Tigers.
I also am doing a story form Louisiana from the early 1980's.
Great work. I hope to write as great as you do when I'm older. Well I'm old now.
Thanks for sharing it with me.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
I very much liked how you told the story from several perspectives. I connected right off the bat being from Louisiana Go! Tigers.
I also am doing a story form Louisiana from the early 1980's.
Great work. I hope to write as great as you do when I'm older. Well I'm old now.
Thanks for sharing it with me.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
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Thanks for your review, which made me smile. Keep writing. Let me know when you post. Bill
Comment from ennahanid
This is an amazing write and I am sorry that I don't have a 6 left to give you. I will however stand up and give you a standing ovation and lots and lots of applause.
Thank you, it really was an honor to read you today.
Dinah
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
This is an amazing write and I am sorry that I don't have a 6 left to give you. I will however stand up and give you a standing ovation and lots and lots of applause.
Thank you, it really was an honor to read you today.
Dinah
Comment Written 10-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
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Hi Dinah - thank you for your kind and gracious review. I appreciate it very much. Bill
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I had read your first posting and you are right, this is much better. You did a excellent job with descriptions and emotions. This is a very good read.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
I had read your first posting and you are right, this is much better. You did a excellent job with descriptions and emotions. This is a very good read.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
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Thank you very much Barbara. Praise from a writer I admire is priceless! Regards, Bill
Comment from Writingfundimension
The sheer scope of this write is breathtaking, bill. I'm very impressed with your level of detail and ability to make me feel the patterns of your story. So many emotions are elicited: humor, fear, disgust, contempt... A truly stunning achievement here. Wish I had a six to give this piece. It's worth that fore sure. Kind regards, Bev
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
The sheer scope of this write is breathtaking, bill. I'm very impressed with your level of detail and ability to make me feel the patterns of your story. So many emotions are elicited: humor, fear, disgust, contempt... A truly stunning achievement here. Wish I had a six to give this piece. It's worth that fore sure. Kind regards, Bev
Comment Written 10-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
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Thank you Bev. Your compliments make me blush. This was much longer than my usual postings, so very much appreciate you sticking with it. Warm regards, Bill
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I can understand that sometimes one has to consider the intent rather than the length. It was not a problem at all...kept me engaged. Take care, bill
Comment from James crofoot
Liked how you brought the olfactory memory. At first, maybe because of my darker nature, I was expecting something unpleasant. It did however, catch my interest.
The latrine duty on both sides was an excellent way to put the two soldiers in the same positions no matter what side it said both were human.
Also, the fact that the nva was just a farmer said a lot about how he just wanted peace.
I loved the ending, I really liked how you brought both men
Together in memory. I agree with you that this story needed to be just one piece. It gives a much better picture of what you were trying to say. They say this kind of thing happened a lot on D-Day. Wouldn't it be nice if every soldier refused to kill.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
Liked how you brought the olfactory memory. At first, maybe because of my darker nature, I was expecting something unpleasant. It did however, catch my interest.
The latrine duty on both sides was an excellent way to put the two soldiers in the same positions no matter what side it said both were human.
Also, the fact that the nva was just a farmer said a lot about how he just wanted peace.
I loved the ending, I really liked how you brought both men
Together in memory. I agree with you that this story needed to be just one piece. It gives a much better picture of what you were trying to say. They say this kind of thing happened a lot on D-Day. Wouldn't it be nice if every soldier refused to kill.
Comment Written 10-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2012
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Thanks for reading James and for your thoughtful comments. This was longer than my usual posts on FS, so appreciate you staying with it. Regards, Bill
Comment from adewpearl
Great detail in describing gross latrine duty
You get inside Eddie's innermost thoughts well
excellent description of setting
Love the conversation where Eddie offers his opinion of attacking
What a perfect merging of stories with a pitch perfect ending - this so deserves a six rating, but I've spent them all. Bill, I tip my hat :-) Brooke
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2012
Great detail in describing gross latrine duty
You get inside Eddie's innermost thoughts well
excellent description of setting
Love the conversation where Eddie offers his opinion of attacking
What a perfect merging of stories with a pitch perfect ending - this so deserves a six rating, but I've spent them all. Bill, I tip my hat :-) Brooke
Comment Written 09-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 09-Mar-2012
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Brooke - your kind words are more than enough. Thank you so much for reading and your comments. Always warm regards, Bill