Stories about woodworking?

Re: Stories about woodworking?

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Can't see why anyone would mind. I like it.Keep 'em coming.---Jack

Fiction or not, it is excellent...

Martin from Granbury

>let me know when the book is finished and published. I'll buy a copy. Would the next scene be a flashback of his life? This would enable you with lots of room to build any story you could imagine.

I say keep at it. What I read so far is outstanding.

Martin (remove "5" for correct email)

Re: Constructive feedback

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>You ask for constructive feedback, so I have a couple questions for you. 1) What is your background in writing? 2) Have you taken writing courses? 3) Are you planning on publishing books? And then of course one critique; I think the writing is just a little overdone. I love Zane Grey western novels, and this appears to me to be written in a similar style, but with just a little too many adjectives. Perhaps I will go beck later and read it again and change my mind.

I read this little story as your own personal outlook on collecting tools, but perhaps this is not the case. I object to the old guys opinion of tool collectors. There are many more tools than what is actually "needed". Billions of tools have been manuactured, and are still being manufactured today. If it weren't for tool collectors who apreciate these tools and the history behind them (for me it is mainly the history that makes a tool attractive) millions of tools that are serving a good purpose would be in the landfill.

Re: Constructive feedback

Mike G.

>I appreciate the feedback Moses. The original title was..."The year is 2050AD". To your questions;

#1. I don't really have a background in writing, other than what you've already seen. I also have quite a few westerns...many authors, including Zane Grey. I might have used a few too many adjectives. But I think a lot of fiction writers do, too. It makes the story...less"dry"? I've read a lot of technical literature over the years...well...tried to. An extra word here or there might have made the read a little more interesting.

#2. Other than high school english and a couple of college english courses many years ago, no I haven't taken any courses. I have a couple of books about creative writing collecting dust somewhere, though.8^)

#3. I think anyone who puts their writing out for everyone to see has aspirations of having their work published, be it in a book or a magazine. A lot of your western and sci-fi writers started out in the "pulps" before they ever got a book published. Louis L'Amour and John Jakes come to mind.

In a way, it is my own personal outlook on tool collecting, or was at the time I wrote the story. At the time this story was written, I'd just lost my tool collection in a fire. In trying to replace them, I couldn't find anything where we live. ( I now have a bigger collection than I did before.) I do appreciate tool collectors that preserve rare tools and especially those collectors who are also tool makers and make reproductions so that us modern enthusiasts can experience the joy of using them.

I have a story about my experiences this past christmas tree harvest season working for my brother not yet written. It will be a true story with pictures.

Thanks so much for the constructive feedback. I appreciate it.

Mike G.....Merry Christmas to all.

Re: Constructive feedback

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>I'm like it so far Mike. Tho I may side with Moses a little not to go too hard on the collectors as in the world of Old Tools anybody who has an interest in them is in some way or another supporting and perserving them.

I liked the line about"They had other things to do with their time" and would add in such things as: play video games, watch t.v., build up their ear shattering automobile sterio systems etc, etc.

I often though about writing stories about "What the Old man thinks as he.........." Stands on the hill watching the ships leave port, see's the old fields getting turned into housing developments, etc, etc. I got the idea frm one of Norman Rockwells pics where the old man and his grandson are watching the schooner sail out with the old mans son/young boys dad aboard. Gotta wonder what they both must be thinking eh? the old man remembering when and the young boy thinking "I can't wait"

when I was younger I dreamed of being a Hobo and seeing every nook and crannie of the U.S. wanted to write stories about the places I'd been, people I'd met, and things I'd done. Enter girl, and it all goes away.

Ahhhhhhhhh well, keep up the good work, I like it.

Todd O.

Re: Comments on story--long

Gary Smyth

>Mike, Well...you asked. A good short story is a joy. If it's allowed in this forum then do more. As to this example, for me the first couple sentences kinda indicates the tone. In my case it was not a good sign. You sort of lost me with impersonal and pointless detail. I realize that you are trying to get the reader involved immediately, but for me the story would have been better just as the story. I'd prefer if you would tell it on paper as you would tell someone in person while hanging out in a road house, or diner, or in a car. As I read into the story the story itself got better. I think the story is a good one. It teases at values and threads to matters that reach deeper than just this story. But, the choice of descriptive words, in my opinion, needs editing--for example the "old codger" for me would work better with a name of someone. The reader knows it is a story so what the name is is not important--but it does personalize the story AND it can provide a lead to future stories and deeper background as the writing continues. Also, I work with hand planes nearly every project and I use tools that belonged to my relatives that worked with them a generation or two ago. I have yet to use a worn plane. May I suggest something other than the word "worn" as to me it is an inaccurate term. You could select a brand name, "the common Stanley #4C Smooth with a corregated bottom. Terms other than worn might have been used, clean, burnished, tuned, oiled, waxed, sharp, patinated, cared for, but the single word worn was not, for me, a good choice. I likely won't get wispy shavings from a worn anything--even if it is only the plane handle. If you must use the word worn however spend a sentence about how it was worn-- "formed to the fit of the hand", "cracked but meticulously repaired", burnished in a way achieved only by skin oils", "Absent of finish caused by sweat", or even "hundreds of hours of use",-- something describing how it was worn. To me, worn means something different when referring to tools.

There seems to be also a possible story mismatch. If the guy is renting, then why even have the tools? Since it is a story you ought to put him in his house and not confuse the reader about why a guy is using tools in an rental, and how was the planed wood held when all else went for "rent and food"--it's a much cleaner story in his old house. I appreciate wordsmithing. I think you are reaching too far in the descriptive abstract and not enough in the detail in order to bring in the mental picture. For me, this time, you let the some of your descriptive words get in the way of the story. I would have appreciated the story more had you tightened and reigned in some fuzzyness and, as required, brought in more precise detail tailored to the "characters" of the piece.

Finally what is with the end? That I do not like. Tell the story. Don't ask if it is fact or fiction. Why would the reader care, and what is the reason for even asking as it relates to this story?

After all that, bring on more stories. Writing doesn't depend on much but good plots, precise details, practice, and editing--ask former insurance salesman Tom Clancy. You appear more than willing to do what is required. I wish you good writing and a fertile memory.

Re: Comments on story--long

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>I agree with everything Gary said. In addition, I recommend you get a couple of those books about writing out and actually read them; and I hope one of them is "Self-editing for Fiction Writers" by Renne Browne.

Pam

Re: Constructive feedback

Mike G.

>Todd O said;

when I was younger I dreamed of being a Hobo and seeing every nook and crannie of the U.S. wanted to write stories about the places I'd been, people I'd met, and things I'd done. Enter girl, and it all goes away.

Funny you should mention that Todd. My Grandfather on my Dad's side did that back in the 20's before he got married. He hitched rides through all 48 states from capitol to capitol, working as he went to fund his trip. Unfortunately he died before I could ask him about his travels.

Re: Comments on story--long

Mike G.

>I appreciate the feedback Gary. I wrote this story in a pocket notebook while sitting on my property watching a few thousand dollars worth of lumber burn. That's in another story I wrote a while back. I plan on giving the old man a name, but hadn't thought about it when I first put this story out. I do know that I need to polish up my writing.

As far as an editor, my wife's a pretty good one. I should have let her proofread it for me, but I'm a stubborn old cuss and thought I could "wing it" on my own. I know different now. 8^)

Again, thanks for the constructive criticism. i hope to bring more and better stories to everyone to read and enjoy.

Mike G.

Re: Comments on story--long

Mike G.

>As soon as I find out which box they're in, I'll start reading them. I don't have the particular book you mentioned Pam, but will keep an eye out for it.

Thanks for you feedback, also.

Mike G.

Re: Stories about woodworking?

Ernie Miller *Topeka

>Nice story. I see no reason to not post them even if they arent about woodworking. This place is more than woodworking it is about the people who visit here and all of there intersts it is just the common one is woodworking. Comments from a person who can't string two sentences together. I didn't see enough depth. it needs to be a little longer with some more back ground to the old man. It also ended abrupt. go back work it over and we will grade it next weekend. By all means post more.

Re: Stories about woodworking?

Mike G.

>Thanks Ernie,

The critiques and comments from everyone mean a lot and I'm very appreciative. I picked woodworking because it's what I know, albeit, not as much as I'd like to. I've been a carpenter for over 25 years now and a hobbiest woodworker for the last five years or so. I learn something new everyday and will never learn it all, but the pursuit of knowledge is an exciting trail to follow. I hope I never tire of "walking" it.

Thanks again to everyone who has responded.

Mike G.

Re: Stories about woodworking?

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>Ernie said that he flet the story ended to abruptly. I kinda' thought that this was only the beginning of the story and was only posted as a "How's this so far" kinda' thing. Am I right Mike?

One thing about writng is that no matter how well it was written in most cases it could always of been a bit better. With that said, there is allot to be said for leaving a bit to the imagination of the reader as well.

Todd O.

Who's favorite stories of all time are the ones by James Herriot.

Stories are most welcome

Ellis Walentine

>Mike, you can share your writing with us anytime. If you need feedback, I'm sure we have plenty of people who are ready and able to provide it. And, we will all benefit from your prose.

Woodworking is about a lot more than tools and wood. It is a state of mind, a way of life for many of us. Sometimes fictional accounts are the best way to express the kinds of things you and your readers are feeling.

Please don't hold back.

Ellis Walentine, Host