The Word Cloud

Hi Eleanor. This was well written and smooth to read. I can see the picture your painting of Katrine and I'm not sure if her views will change. However, I can understand how society can influence those views and think it's important to be honest when writing about such topics, which you have done. I think it would work better if you reinforced the fact that she isn't aware of what is happening to the Jews. As an example: '...were Jews, and not very likeable in her estimation, but their treatment in the Nazi camps was not something she’d mete out even to the cattle on her father’s farm.' This line leads me to believe she is fully aware of what the Jews were being put through, so when she says she isn't keen on them it puts her in an entirely different light. I think the line regarding the cattle takes compassion from her in a way, and if she goes on to help people, she must have compassion. Not sure if that helps with her character? Depends what you've got in store for her I think. Well written piece.

Thanks Minxie. As far as knowledge of the camps goes, they were certainly known about, and it was also known that people disappeared. More than that (i.e. the full horror of gas chambers, the Belsen pitiful living skeletons) were horrors that awaited the liberation of the camps in 1945. So Katrine probably thinks of the camps in much the same way as we thought of Soviet 'gulags' in the 1980s. That was the light in which she makes her reference to cattle on the farm.

Well, Elanor, you have certainly stirred things up with this piece of writing which has much potential; you have recieved far more comments than I usually get.

E, I see political rants everywhere and perform a few my self. What I have learned and forgotten several times is how easy it is to have my own convictions (ABH & GBH) affect a story, often without deliberate intent. In these days of political correctness it is too easy to offend a judging authority or audience and have good writing ignored for bad reasons. Keep writing. I look forward to your next offering. OFP

Thank you Eddy and OFP. I really didn't anticipate all the reaction I got! Oh well, better than being ignored. I'm currently writing the third story but not sure when it will be finished.

I was looking at that Amazon thing the other day - my manuscript is not ready yet but I was wondering if I could call on captain insomnia and give it a go - how 'finished' would it have to be I wonder?

Tenacity - you have to upload your 'Pitch', the opening 'Excerpt', and the entire manuscript, all at one go. You then have a window in which to edit and re-do things as they won't be looking at it until after the deadline of 5th February. If you could finish it in that time! then all best of luck to you.

A window of time, I mean.

Okay, well, maybe I could - it would be a hell of an ask but I like a deadline!

Cool - break a leg!