The Unpredictable Cycles of Life
Unexpected changes.60 total reviews
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hi Ric.
Outstanding! This is a great story with a lot of tantalizing lines and suggestions. Your descriptive language leaves very little for the imagination to create. You have great "verbal visuals" decorating the story line all the way through. You are doing a lot of showing with very little telling.
The actions and dialogue between the two characters keep the story moving at a high rate of speed. There is no lag or drag as the story moves to the end.
The resolution is a big surprise, and you lead the reader to it with eyes wide open until you slam them shut at the end. You keep it moving all the way home. The finish is a big shock, and you follow it with the postscript that finishes the story. Great Job!
Robert
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Hi Ric.
Outstanding! This is a great story with a lot of tantalizing lines and suggestions. Your descriptive language leaves very little for the imagination to create. You have great "verbal visuals" decorating the story line all the way through. You are doing a lot of showing with very little telling.
The actions and dialogue between the two characters keep the story moving at a high rate of speed. There is no lag or drag as the story moves to the end.
The resolution is a big surprise, and you lead the reader to it with eyes wide open until you slam them shut at the end. You keep it moving all the way home. The finish is a big shock, and you follow it with the postscript that finishes the story. Great Job!
Robert
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Robert, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. I'm so glad you like it and found it entertaining. There is nothing makes me happier than when such a talented writer as you enjoys my posts. It's the encouragement that's kept this old hack scribbling along. LOL. I can't thank you enough. I appreciate YOU!
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You are welcome, Ric. Great story...
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
It was well worth the time, and well worth the wait. I loved every second of it. I just wish I could review for each time I read it (I'm in the middle of the third at the moment and find new gems at each read). The first that leapt off the page was:
That's the best pickup line I've ever heard. So, nonchalant . . . and you slipped it in, effortlessly, unlubricated
tasteless maybe, but oh so slick!
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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It was well worth the time, and well worth the wait. I loved every second of it. I just wish I could review for each time I read it (I'm in the middle of the third at the moment and find new gems at each read). The first that leapt off the page was:
That's the best pickup line I've ever heard. So, nonchalant . . . and you slipped it in, effortlessly, unlubricated
tasteless maybe, but oh so slick!
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Kate, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. Yes, it's so tasteless that I'm almost embarrassed to have written it. But sometimes, I just have to remind myself that it isn't me writing the smut stuff. LOL. There is nothing that makes me happier than for the talented writers that I read and enjoy every day finding a little enjoyment and entertainment in my scratchings. Can't thank you enough. I appreciate YOU!
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Yes indeed! I learn from you (in secret) and up my level of digging to the bone a little in revision before I post now... it improves things I find, even though I write things I would never say.
Comment from LJbutterfly
As a forever romantic, I hoped this story described the beginning of a beautiful, long lasting romance. (But where's the usual RicMyworld in that)? When the protagonist woke up tied to his bed, I thought...here we go. You blew me away with the twist ending. This story was well worth the length.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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As a forever romantic, I hoped this story described the beginning of a beautiful, long lasting romance. (But where's the usual RicMyworld in that)? When the protagonist woke up tied to his bed, I thought...here we go. You blew me away with the twist ending. This story was well worth the length.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, LJButterfly, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. I tried so hard to make the older man a poor, heartbroken, and lonesome person. But for some sleazy reason, I just couldn't let it end that way. LOL. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, or at least liked the writing. LOL. I can't thank you enough for your encouraging review. I appreciate YOU!
Comment from Mary Shifman
Your story is really good. It had me going up until the very end. It's rare that I don't have some inkling as to a stories outcome is going to be resolved, but this one came as a total surprise. mWell done.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Your story is really good. It had me going up until the very end. It's rare that I don't have some inkling as to a stories outcome is going to be resolved, but this one came as a total surprise. mWell done.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Mary, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. With so many layers with mixed good and bad characters, I wasn't quite sure how much of the underlying stuff readers would catch. But I'm so glad you did and liked it. Much appreciated!
Comment from L. Kalere
It was worth the wait, Ric!!! What fun, what devilishness, what duplicity, what near-sex(?). And, where do you come up with all those one line zingers? There's a mad genius running amok in your brain, and he's given us some mighty entertaining stuff. I love the film noir feel; the self-deprecating humor; the wit; and the compelling characters, who you so "amply" described. Although I was truly amused from beginning to end, I cracked up with "Shall we share each other for dessert?"
I held off til today to give you what you deserve, a big six. Congrats, my friend.
Linda
The last line sounded like something the wicked witch of the West would have said, if she was Italian.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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It was worth the wait, Ric!!! What fun, what devilishness, what duplicity, what near-sex(?). And, where do you come up with all those one line zingers? There's a mad genius running amok in your brain, and he's given us some mighty entertaining stuff. I love the film noir feel; the self-deprecating humor; the wit; and the compelling characters, who you so "amply" described. Although I was truly amused from beginning to end, I cracked up with "Shall we share each other for dessert?"
I held off til today to give you what you deserve, a big six. Congrats, my friend.
Linda
The last line sounded like something the wicked witch of the West would have said, if she was Italian.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Linda, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. The last line was intended to mock the Wicked Witch of the West. Great catch. There is a little good and bad in all of us, and in choosing the line that cracked you up, you've made it obvious there is a little naughty hidden beneath your innocence. LOL. I'm so happy you liked my story. There is nothing I enjoy more than the talented writers I read regularly being entertained by my foolishness. I appreciate YOU!
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rimani in salute e felice
Comment from Judy Lawless
Wow, I've been waiting for another one of your amazing stories to appear, Ric, and I'm not disappointed. You took us from lost love, to sorrow, to self-pity, to hate, and finally the revengeful ending, all so smoothly. Exceptional writing.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Wow, I've been waiting for another one of your amazing stories to appear, Ric, and I'm not disappointed. You took us from lost love, to sorrow, to self-pity, to hate, and finally the revengeful ending, all so smoothly. Exceptional writing.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Judy, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. And mostly, for catching all the different layers of the story and its characters. There is nothing more encouraging than for the talented writers like you who I choose to read and enjoy every day, to like my humble scribblings. LOL. I appreciate YOU!
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You are most welcome, Ric, and way too humble. Your writing way outshines mine, but I too appreciate you.
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You're outstanding! And I enjoy your writing every day! Ric
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Thank you. I'm humbled.
Comment from dmt1967
This is a great story and I loved the end. The twist was a nice touch. She did the dirty on him and he killed her. Revenge is sweet. Thank you for sharing and have a great day.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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This is a great story and I loved the end. The twist was a nice touch. She did the dirty on him and he killed her. Revenge is sweet. Thank you for sharing and have a great day.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, dmt1967, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. I'm glad you liked it. There nothing that encourages a writer more than when talented fellow writers have good things to say about our posts. I appreciate YOU!
Comment from lyenochka
Well, you already made us feel for the narrator at the start of the story. But then to be betrayed like that (although it was clear from her "act" there were many clues about her insincerity.) I guess the mafia guy got his revenge. But now I wonder what happened to his wife. While it's not my genre, I did enjoy your superb storytelling!
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Well, you already made us feel for the narrator at the start of the story. But then to be betrayed like that (although it was clear from her "act" there were many clues about her insincerity.) I guess the mafia guy got his revenge. But now I wonder what happened to his wife. While it's not my genre, I did enjoy your superb storytelling!
Comment Written 30-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Helen, for your extra-special six-star review and kind words. I'm so glad you liked it. Well, I'm not sure anyone could like the cluster of misfit characters, but happy you enjoyed the story. You are the first person so far that asked what happened to the ex-wife, which to me is the biggest question of all. Did he let her live because of kids. Did she just disappear or maybe the pressures were just building . . . Yes, my intentions were to create a little sympathy for an old guy who had to be a touch sleazy, or was simply lonely. There is a little good and bad in all of us, but these peoples' bad sides were wicked. LOL. It's always the greatest pleasure to get positive reviews from talented writers whom I enjoy reading every day. Thanks again. I appreciate YOU!
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Thanks and the appreciation is mutual!
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is great! This is the kind of story Alfred Hickock or Ellery Queen buys, but I can't remember their specific wants although they are different. You might tighten up a little on the marriage breakup as it seems to be a different kind of story, but you have a great story. Good luck with this.
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2022
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This is great! This is the kind of story Alfred Hickock or Ellery Queen buys, but I can't remember their specific wants although they are different. You might tighten up a little on the marriage breakup as it seems to be a different kind of story, but you have a great story. Good luck with this.
Comment Written 29-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Carol, for your kind words and extra-special six
star review. I'll probably never submit this anywhere. I'm just having fun and entertaining myself. But it would never be so much fun without those of you readers who take time to read and like my story. Thanks again. I appreciate You and this wonderful review!
Comment from Artasylum
Well... so much for your love life... maybe reevaluate your taste in thieves or heartless tramps... can't say I was sorry to see her get her comeuppance ... hope your taste in the bad ones has made you realize semi-pretty is okay. Fun read. yours, diana
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2022
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Well... so much for your love life... maybe reevaluate your taste in thieves or heartless tramps... can't say I was sorry to see her get her comeuppance ... hope your taste in the bad ones has made you realize semi-pretty is okay. Fun read. yours, diana
Comment Written 29-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2022
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Thank you so much, Diana, for your kind words and generous review. Luckily, as some of us get older, we smarten up a bit. But there is always a little good and bad left in all of us, if we tell the truth. LOL. Thank you for a fun review. It's much appreciated!
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Say amen!