Reviews from

The Spirit of the Wind

Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "In the Shadow of the Prairie"
Newylwed homesteader Jane becomes a widow

12 total reviews 
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
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Hello Stan. This is an excellent story describing details of how tough it was in the days of the country being settled. Not only were the times tough, but the people were tough. Nobody believed in zero risk in those days. Everybody knew there is risk for everything.
That principal hasn't changed in these days, but generally, society prefers not to believe it.

Robert

 Comment Written 20-May-2020


reply by the author on 20-May-2020
    Well said, Robert. I'm super motivated on this project in part because of the weakened times we live in. I love writing the history of people who had true grit and faith and looked at fear without blinking. Amen.
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 20-May-2020
    You're welcome...keep going
Comment from robyn corum
Excellent
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Hey, buddy,

This was another great installment in your ongoing saga. It seems like our girl just can't catch a break. She can't help but feel for this guy whether she wants to admit it or not.

--> Lydia wrestled the child from me and held him up. (")We need to thank the Lord for his tender mercies in a broken world."

Nice job!~

 Comment Written 20-May-2020


reply by the author on 20-May-2020
    Thanks, Robyn. Your reviews are oh so important to me, even when you smack me with the reality of poor composition and grammar. Blessings.
reply by robyn corum on 20-May-2020
    hhahahaha Bless you!
Comment from Alaskastory
Excellent
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"In the Shadow of the Prairie" was full of action and showed good action of Jane and Tad in the field. Jane's action toward Lydia was also well done. But I think a few fearful or action words from them about the coming (or hitting) storm is needed. Perhaps a scary comment from Tara too would emphasize the danger they face together. Enjoyable chapter!

 Comment Written 19-May-2020


reply by the author on 20-May-2020
    Thanks, Maria. I definitely will insert some short crisp words between them. Worthy idea. Blessings around the bend. And I will get your important screenplay. Your screenplay is giving me the confidence to take on that kind of challenge!
Comment from zanya
Excellent
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And grit and determination is what is shining through here in this chapter -emotions are raw and stark -how different to how emotions are described in writing today -almost dispassionate

 Comment Written 18-May-2020


reply by the author on 18-May-2020
    Thanks so much. What you said in your last line means more to me than almost anything I've heard. You made my day.
Comment from Jeffrey L. Michaux
Excellent
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I like how this is unfolding. It sounds like the lad will have a good inheritance when he comes of age. The problem may be holding on to his inheritance. I think that some more fighting is going to be in their forecast before they totally possess the land. I enjoyed reading this well written chapter. I look forward to the next chapter in this continuing saga. Great job and well done!

 Comment Written 18-May-2020


reply by the author on 18-May-2020
    Thanks, Jeff. You have been and continue to be a big encouragement to me. Amen.
Comment from Mistydawn
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is a very well-written, interesting piece. Your chapter seemed very realistic, believable. Your dialogue seems natural and your characters really came to life. Your entire chapter was great but this line in particular really got your point across. Let the reader feel their heartaches, struggles as they try to survive. We need to thank the Lord for his tender mercies in a broken world. The followup below this added to the uncertainty, the hardships around them. Made the reader have empathy for them and their harrowing situation. Very nicely done.

 Comment Written 18-May-2020


reply by the author on 19-May-2020
    Thanks again, Misty.
Comment from Shirley McLain
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I enjoyed this chapter as I have the others. You did an excellent job and I saw no errors. I believe you completed your purpose. You showed the grit and determination of the settlers. Have a wonderful day. Shirley

 Comment Written 18-May-2020


reply by the author on 19-May-2020
    Thanks again, Shirley
Comment from CrystieCookie999
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Well-written chapter once again. I like this line: I climbed the rise and saw where my heart lived.
There is something I want to tweak slightly in the very first sentence. I think it might be as simple as adding a comma.
Bitterness churned inside me(put comma here) living in the town where my husband was shot and killed over a wayward smile.
Another possibility might be:
Bitterness continued to churn inside me, intermittently, since I chose to keep living in the town where my husband was shot and killed over a wayward smile.
This is a small point, and maybe the child of a homesteader would not mind, but I think a hard gallop or 'rode as hard as I dared' would possibly have an effect on the child, perhaps causing it to whimper a little.

 Comment Written 18-May-2020


reply by the author on 19-May-2020
    Thanks again, Crystie for the valuable insight, as always.
Comment from thaities, Rebecca V.
Excellent
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This is another well written and enthralling chapter in the book. Our early settler ancestors were made of quality stock and withstood all manner of hardships. They are our examples.

 Comment Written 17-May-2020


reply by the author on 17-May-2020
    Thanks for your faithful reading. I'm more motivated and appreciate this earlier generation when I realize how they looked in the eye of so much disease and death with true grit and faith. Something we need today.
reply by thaities, Rebecca V. on 17-May-2020
    Exactly right. We are too soft nowadays.
Comment from Ben Colder
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Excellent time frame and good wording. You are there and the settlers are at the notion of two evils. The war in the east and the hostiles who dared to hold their land from outsiders. Good write.. This is strong to me. In the distance a storm brewed. The skies blackened like ink on blue. The winds whipped through us and cut to the bone.
My blessings to you.

 Comment Written 17-May-2020


reply by the author on 19-May-2020
    Thanks again Ben for your input which I covet.