The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 116 "The Final Chapter"A Novel
26 total reviews
Comment from w.j.debi
Everything is all tied up and it seems life should get back to normal (maybe) for Charles and the rest of the crew. Then again, you left the story open for a sequel and even hint at it.
Best of luck in the editing and publishing steps.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Everything is all tied up and it seems life should get back to normal (maybe) for Charles and the rest of the crew. Then again, you left the story open for a sequel and even hint at it.
Best of luck in the editing and publishing steps.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Debi. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Now to try to beat the whole blessed thing into shape. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that. There are several who have said they would have preferred a happier ending. This may be one of the things I revisit during the editing process. I've very much appreciated your sustained interest and support through the first draft stage. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from estory
Well, it certainly is a very James Bond ending to a very James Bond type of story, with Charles falling back comfortably into his life and going back to see Kayla and Helen, who is recovering. There's seems to be an open door to a sequel, as the British secret service wants him to run another errand. There's a big edit job ahead of you in this one, I think. It's a good adventure story, but you ran off on a lot of tangents and my advice is focus on the strong action chapters and the intrigue and chop off some of the tangents and build the story around the action. Good luck with it. estory
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Well, it certainly is a very James Bond ending to a very James Bond type of story, with Charles falling back comfortably into his life and going back to see Kayla and Helen, who is recovering. There's seems to be an open door to a sequel, as the British secret service wants him to run another errand. There's a big edit job ahead of you in this one, I think. It's a good adventure story, but you ran off on a lot of tangents and my advice is focus on the strong action chapters and the intrigue and chop off some of the tangents and build the story around the action. Good luck with it. estory
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, estory. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Now to try to beat the whole blessed thing into shape. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that. I've already trimmed five thousand words from the first sixty pages. There are several who have said they would have preferred a happier ending. This may be one of the things I revisit during the editing process. I've very much appreciated your considerable help and support through the first draft stage. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from royowen
You are indeed a good writer Tony. I had an interesting journey with, our hero was a good choice, his thoughts had clarity, a reticent and quite pragmatic character, with that distinct British reserve, but with genuinely displayed feelings for those in the forefront of his affections, but little time for the stiff, unfeeling, British service types. Well done, it was a pleasure to make the journey with you. I'm not a prose writer, so was probably unhelpful. Well done, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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You are indeed a good writer Tony. I had an interesting journey with, our hero was a good choice, his thoughts had clarity, a reticent and quite pragmatic character, with that distinct British reserve, but with genuinely displayed feelings for those in the forefront of his affections, but little time for the stiff, unfeeling, British service types. Well done, it was a pleasure to make the journey with you. I'm not a prose writer, so was probably unhelpful. Well done, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Roy. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Now to try to beat the whole blessed thing into shape. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that. I've already trimmed five thousand words from the first sixty pages. I've very much appreciated your sustained support and encouragement through the first draft stage. All good wishes, Tony
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I too enjoyed your wonderful talent with this effort Tony,
Comment from juliaSjames
The rating is not only for this well-written chapter but for all the effort you put into the book..
I see you have left some threads hanging to allow for a sequel in due course..
I have to confess that your unlikely James Bond didn't sit well with me at first. But I grew fond of him and now I'm sad to say farewell, or perhaps a bientot, to him and his faithful sidekick.
In my opinion, Tony, one of the strong points of this book is your wonderful depictions of the various locations. Quite outstanding. Made the storyline come alive.
On the other hand, I did find myself getting lost in the twists and turns of the plot, partly due to the variety of characters. This may be a consequence of chapters being posted on the site twice weekly. One tends to forget. But it could be due to a lack of connectivity in the write itself. Something to think about as you edit.
It was a pleasure to join your great adventure from the comfort of my armchair.
Best wishes as you take the next steps..
Blessings Julia
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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The rating is not only for this well-written chapter but for all the effort you put into the book..
I see you have left some threads hanging to allow for a sequel in due course..
I have to confess that your unlikely James Bond didn't sit well with me at first. But I grew fond of him and now I'm sad to say farewell, or perhaps a bientot, to him and his faithful sidekick.
In my opinion, Tony, one of the strong points of this book is your wonderful depictions of the various locations. Quite outstanding. Made the storyline come alive.
On the other hand, I did find myself getting lost in the twists and turns of the plot, partly due to the variety of characters. This may be a consequence of chapters being posted on the site twice weekly. One tends to forget. But it could be due to a lack of connectivity in the write itself. Something to think about as you edit.
It was a pleasure to join your great adventure from the comfort of my armchair.
Best wishes as you take the next steps..
Blessings Julia
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Julia. I appreciate the sixth star. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Now to try to beat the whole blessed thing into shape. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that. I agree with you that the plot needs to be more streamlined and cohesive. I've already trimmed five thousand words from the first sixty pages. I've very much appreciated your considerable help and support through the first draft stage. All good wishes, Tony
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It's a tremendous achievement, Tony. My elder son is polishing his first novel prior to self publishing. Fantasy sci-fi written in Guyanese creole. Ambitious, I know. But that's his chosen genre. He's a talented writer.
Julia
Comment from Sankey
Good show old mate. I do hope we get to meet one of these days if you are in the East. This has been a great journey through perils ad nauseam, and loves and losses. Please keep in touch. No spags on your last chapter.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Good show old mate. I do hope we get to meet one of these days if you are in the East. This has been a great journey through perils ad nauseam, and loves and losses. Please keep in touch. No spags on your last chapter.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Geoffrey. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that. I've very much appreciated your sustained interest and encouragement through the first draft stage. All good wishes, Tony
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Can't remember if we exchanged e-mails write me at sankey48@yahoo.com.au Or are we friends on Facebook? Keep in touch ok.
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Ah, it's sad to see it end, but all stories must end, except for War and Peace
which is an eternity. The irony is a three line haiku has no end, it simply radiates into tomorrow.
But back to your chapter, well done! A fitting conclusion to the twisting story, that leaves the future open and hopeful,
though the one casualty was Helen, who seemed so capable, yet somehow fell into the clutches of the Cowardly Lion.
Perhaps the mystical markhor effect will lead to her healing.
You've tied up the loose ends, reintroducing many of the main players, all true to character.
And the story ends where it began, with a French Letter and perhaps a Spring Festival where the Milkhon blooms.
Pardon, do you know a Monsieur Paul Dupont?
A six star rating for the new Markhor Medical Facility.
Robert
This one phrase seemed a bit awkward to me with the two "have":
[I'd have liked to have put paid] to all that nonsense about fairy spirits, though."
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2020
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Hello Tony,
Ah, it's sad to see it end, but all stories must end, except for War and Peace
which is an eternity. The irony is a three line haiku has no end, it simply radiates into tomorrow.
But back to your chapter, well done! A fitting conclusion to the twisting story, that leaves the future open and hopeful,
though the one casualty was Helen, who seemed so capable, yet somehow fell into the clutches of the Cowardly Lion.
Perhaps the mystical markhor effect will lead to her healing.
You've tied up the loose ends, reintroducing many of the main players, all true to character.
And the story ends where it began, with a French Letter and perhaps a Spring Festival where the Milkhon blooms.
Pardon, do you know a Monsieur Paul Dupont?
A six star rating for the new Markhor Medical Facility.
Robert
This one phrase seemed a bit awkward to me with the two "have":
[I'd have liked to have put paid] to all that nonsense about fairy spirits, though."
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Robert, for your review, the sixth star, and the editing suggestion.
The name, Paul Dupont, dropped naturally from my mind onto the paper as if familiar, though, to my conscious knowledge, I've never heard of such a man.
I've been going back over the story for much of the past week and have had no difficulty in stripping away eight thousand words from the first third of it. There were many parts that I thought clever at the time of writing that, on reflection, I've found trite, adding little to the characterisation or to the story.
I don't imagine I'll have much difficulty in paring it down from 138 000 words to about 120 000 to get a leaner and cleaner version of the current plot. After that, I may have to sharpen the knife and do away with parts that I have a greater attachment to, as I understand mainstream publishers are unlikely to look at anything much beyond the 80 000 to 100 000-word range. I'm anticipating that I may need the help of a disinterested and more dispassionate third party at that stage. Our local South Australian Writers' Centre, Writers SA, offer a reputable editing service, so I may turn there for assistance if I think I have a story with sufficient potential to be worth pursuing.
It's been an interesting experience writing a full-length novel, and I doubt I'd have persisted without the continued encouragement of FS members such as yourself and Pam.
Thank you very much for your support.
Best wishes
Tony
Comment from damommy
All's well that ends well, so 'they' say. It's good to know Helen is recovering. I see Charles and her being reunited at some point. Great build of excitement and tension throughout the book.
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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All's well that ends well, so 'they' say. It's good to know Helen is recovering. I see Charles and her being reunited at some point. Great build of excitement and tension throughout the book.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Yvonne. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Now to try to beat the whole blessed thing into shape. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that.
I've very much appreciated your support and encouragement through the first draft stage. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from Ulla
Hi Tony, so we have come full circle and the story has come to an end. You've left it open as to what might happen with Charles and Helen, but I see some hope in the horizon. And the letter has found its way back again. The letter that started it all.
As you know, I love this story and I will dearly miss it. But as everything, it all comes to an end. I do hope a publisher will pick it up. Good luck with that. I hope you'll still be around on FS. Kind regards. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Hi Tony, so we have come full circle and the story has come to an end. You've left it open as to what might happen with Charles and Helen, but I see some hope in the horizon. And the letter has found its way back again. The letter that started it all.
As you know, I love this story and I will dearly miss it. But as everything, it all comes to an end. I do hope a publisher will pick it up. Good luck with that. I hope you'll still be around on FS. Kind regards. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Ulla. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Now to try to beat the whole blessed thing into shape. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that.
I've very much appreciated your support and encouragement through the first draft stage. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from Aaqib Naeem
Congratulations on finishing your story and best wishes for the editorial process that lies ahead! What little I have been able to read in the last few chapters was really interesting and well written as well! I hope you can find a good publisher for this one! :-)
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Congratulations on finishing your story and best wishes for the editorial process that lies ahead! What little I have been able to read in the last few chapters was really interesting and well written as well! I hope you can find a good publisher for this one! :-)
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 24-Feb-2020
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Thanks, Aaqib. It has been a good feeling getting the final chapter down on paper. Now to try to beat the whole blessed thing into shape. Much cutting and polishing and rearranging to keep me busy in the immediate future. I shall be easing back from FanStory for a while to give me more time to concentrate on that.
I've very much appreciated your support and encouragement. All good wishes, Tony
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Well then have a grand time doing what needs to be done! Will be sure to welcome you back whenever you share something else! :-)
Comment from Marjon van Bruggen
I don't know why the six-star possibility has disappeared. I would have used it!
This is by far the best book chapter I have read so far in FanStory. I am a member now since the end of January, and I have missed previous chapters of this captivating book. I will make up to that by reading the previous chapters (that is the whole book, as I gather this one is the closing part).
I found it entertaining, sometimes even a bit humorous, but always fascinating, how all the characters in this book have their own, outspoken personalities. The story kept me captivated until the end, although I realize that I need to read the whole book to get a better judgment for you. Tell me, please, when and where it will be published, and I shall buy the book.
I am glad I found this chapter. Congratulations, it is great!
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2020
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I don't know why the six-star possibility has disappeared. I would have used it!
This is by far the best book chapter I have read so far in FanStory. I am a member now since the end of January, and I have missed previous chapters of this captivating book. I will make up to that by reading the previous chapters (that is the whole book, as I gather this one is the closing part).
I found it entertaining, sometimes even a bit humorous, but always fascinating, how all the characters in this book have their own, outspoken personalities. The story kept me captivated until the end, although I realize that I need to read the whole book to get a better judgment for you. Tell me, please, when and where it will be published, and I shall buy the book.
I am glad I found this chapter. Congratulations, it is great!
Comment Written 21-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2020
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Thank you very much for your review and kind words, Marjon. Much appreciated. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed this final chapter in the story. Now comes the significant task of structural editing. I doubt I'll be on FS very much while I'm engaged in that as it will take all of my time and concentration.
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It was and is a pleasure.