tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393512822627120580.post319626364056741487..comments2023-08-01T05:26:06.539-05:00Comments on Unicorn Bell: MOM DROPS THE ULTIMATUM...(part five)Huntresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155372788872245758noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393512822627120580.post-59247605027073974172013-05-03T17:35:13.393-05:002013-05-03T17:35:13.393-05:00Small addition--I meant to say that we don't a...Small addition--I meant to say that we don't always have to like characters, just find them interesting :)Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14121018905141253640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393512822627120580.post-7984152097437922742013-05-03T17:34:20.803-05:002013-05-03T17:34:20.803-05:00I actually know someone just like this (without th...I actually know someone just like this (without the ED, but same voice/circumstances), so I really enjoyed reading it and it came across as spot-on to me ;) Some characters are more flawed than others and I think that's okay. We don't always have to like characters.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14121018905141253640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393512822627120580.post-43007250626287364842013-05-03T14:34:44.557-05:002013-05-03T14:34:44.557-05:00Yup, if she were living in my house, she'd hav...Yup, if she were living in my house, she'd have a job. Now, perhaps there is a lot going on behind the scenes with regard to her getting help that would explain why getting a job is such a horror for her right now. Obviously those with ED's have self image problems...so perhaps there is something related to that...maybe she can't go out in public. Unless you tell us more, you are doing your character a disservice. You are making your readers dislike her. Could you tell us more up front so our impression of her changes?Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393512822627120580.post-29303972410132837242013-05-03T11:21:43.614-05:002013-05-03T11:21:43.614-05:00I agree with the comments above, the way the novel...I agree with the comments above, the way the novel stands you have a less than sympathetic character and the stakes are low. However, I think I know where you were trying to go, based on this sentence:<br /><br /><i>Good Bernie was starting to retreat, poking her head back into its shell as my newfound, nastier side sprung free.</i><br /><br />But for this to come across in the chapter you need the changing room scene. And her reaction needs to surprise everyone (including Bernie) because she has always been "good Bernie."<br /><br />Also, her mother should mention why she had not pressured Bernie to get a job before. What was the purpose of the gap year and why does mom think it's not working now? <br /><br />In terms of flow, I would suggest starting with part 2, move to the changing room scene, mom's reaction in the car, introduce the ED, the gap year and finish with the ultimatum.<br /><br />I hope this helps.Patchihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09097638657085263738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393512822627120580.post-83683940137518797422013-05-03T09:15:26.788-05:002013-05-03T09:15:26.788-05:00I'm sure glad that Alicia used the word 'b...I'm sure glad that Alicia used the word 'bitchy'. I tried to avoid the term, but man alive, that is what I was thinking.<br /><br />Bitchy, whiny, spoiled, ungrateful, lazy, expects everything to be handed to her, entitled to money she didn't earn...to add a few more.<br /><br />If I'd talked to my mom like that at Bernie's age, OR ANY AGE, Hell would have been a cooler place for me.<br /><br />Sorry, but Bernie is *not* very likable. I would stop reading.<br /><br />She has real problems but you need to show them in a different way. Humor, self-deprecation, less internal, more dialogue that shows us her angst but not her Biotchiness. Huntresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08155372788872245758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4393512822627120580.post-3948907530096148272013-05-03T09:02:34.690-05:002013-05-03T09:02:34.690-05:00First thing that sprung out at me was the line &qu...First thing that sprung out at me was the line "Good Bernie was starting to retreat.." GOOD BERNIE?? Where was she?! :) We haven't really been shown her! We've been shown a sarcastic, snarky, and ultimately bitchy Bernie. Definitely NOT a "Good" Bernie. So this line really took me out of the story. <br />That said...I understand that Control is a big deal for people with eating disorders (ED) which I didn't have a hard time with the tag...but careful. Again. It's only the first chapter. So I think what's going on is a struggle for control between Bernie and her mom. The trouble is that there's not enough at stake. Meh. So she doesn't get a job. She has to go live with her friend? OR, she gets a job? Again. Why is getting a job SUCH a huge deal? She's how old? And the end statement of No house, no money, no food isn't really true if she's able to just go live with Alana. <br />I'm interested to see how this plays out, but only because I'm curious to know why getting a job is such a big deal. It really seems like a non-issue. Alicia Willette-Cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174871217832164495noreply@blogger.com