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450 Public Reviews Given
639 Total Reviews Given
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for entry "Invalid Entry" 
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hello! I just have a few thoughts to share. I like how you sort of "went back in time" to describe the darkness, slowly but steadily encroaching on the apparently unsuspecting man. Who knows what secrets the darkness holds? What terrors? When that sliver is gone, he just may find out! Thanks for sharing this with us!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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for entry "Gain of Function" 
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
Hi! I just wanted to share a thought or two. Poets use words to tell a tale. You've used yours to express a view on the bane of our existence lo these last (almost) three years, and the cinquain's form was perfectly suited to this. Thanks for sharing it!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Home  
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi! Just a few thoughts about your poem. I really like your description. Many of us, I'm sure, view our home as a refuge from the chaos that's out there on a daily basis. As you point out, though, it's also an inner place filled with warmth, family and friends. You chose the flexible quatrain as your medium and kept to one of the established rhyme schemes - good job!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
With a handle / username combo of Lobelia / mamahobbit, I just had to read something of yours! This is quite the tale of 'sartorial splendor', and I have to wonder which comment weighed more in his decision to stop wearing the raincoat: male stripper or 'Will Work For Food guy'? I must admit I can identify with his basic clothing choices, though. I myself own a multitude of caps and t-shirts, but a few favorites get more than their fair share of outdoors time. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp

*CakeB* HAPPY WDC ACCOUNT ANNIVERSARY FROM "Anniversary Reviews" *CakeP*


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (3.5)
Hello! I just wanted to offer a few thoughts about your poem. It points out various current events that are grim and more than a little scary, and you offer insight into how they impact your mood. Toward the end, you pose a few questions regarding possible end states and how they might look. Sobering thoughts, indeed. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Quiet Fire  
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi! I just wanted to offer a few thoughts on your story. As a fan of, and frequent contributor to, the Amazing 55, I enjoyed the way you told and inferred an entire story in just 55 words. "Curled edges of quiet fire..." tells me the leaves turned a lovely orange before dropping to the ground, awaiting the fate of wind and rake. And, of course, a young'un looking for some fun! You painted a lovely picture of a clean-swept yard on a beautiful fall day. Thanks for sharing this!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Even Prompter  
for entry "Bagpipes" 
Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: E | (4.5)
Greetings, Beholden! I'd like to offer a few words about your poem. The first stanza mentions how some feel about bagpipe music: "...cos it grates." Even Star Trek's Scotty allowed that some people don't consider it music [Dreadnought! by Diane Carey]. I'm not one of those, though, because the second stanza immediately brought the word 'skirling' to mind. It's a cool word and almost exclusively associated with pipes. I also liked your take on the prompt as expressed at the end: "...pleasure in the sigh and guilt since boys don't cry." Thanks for sharing this with us.

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp
208
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for entry "Karma Hotel" 
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)

Hi! This review is for "Karma Hotel" 

First Impressions: At the outset, it seems that the criminals escape punishment for their horrific deeds; but it only seems that way. Vics and perps meet up in the afterlife, with both groups having a say in how things progress.

Setting: The Pearly Gates Hotel, a heavenly 12-star establishment, is the scene of most of the action.

Grammar and Spelling: No errors leapt out at me - good job!

Character/Dialogue: The reader doesn't get much by way of description for the 4 main characters, although Alex and Sally's appearances will change throughout their "stay". George and Mary basically become Pongo and Princess, so everyone should have a good idea what they look like.

Suggestions: You could think about removing the dogs reference in "All four of them were dead, including the dogs,...", since all the victims were just described. Also, you may want to tweak this bit: "He looked to be the sort that even a Marine might, if briefly, give pause to." To me, who's intimidating whom seems unclear. You might try "...the sort that might, if briefly, even give pause to a Marine" or, possibly, "...the sort that might, if briefly, give pause to even a Marine." Also, you may wish to rethink your Genre choices with an eye toward a possible Quill nomination. 'Writing' and 'Other' aren't an awarded genres, so you may want to replace them with something like Dark, Death, Horror/Scary, Mythology, perhaps even go for laughs with Food/Cooking. *BigSmile* At just under 4300 words, your story could be part of a very small group of nominees.

Overall: A different take on crime and punishment, and worth the read.


Remember that these are my personal thoughts and no offense is meant by any criticism offered.

Thanks for sharing!

Writer_Mike


Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Hidden motive  
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: 18+ | (3.5)
Hello, and welcome to an Account Anniversary Review! You tell a tale of three young men who make their living stealing and aren't above using violence to get the job done. One of them has been keeping an eye on a prospective target, and now their plan is to break in and take the cash he's been storing. Fortunately for the target, he's not home; unfortunately, his girlfriend is. I don't recall reading anything about masks, so the woman most likely still would have been killed, even if the boyfriend had been there, but it's a shame nonetheless. They apparently get away with their crime, and give no thought to the potential consequences.

It looks like you assigned an appropriate rating to this story (although raising it one level wouldn't be the worst idea), based on the action, language and level of violence. Not everyone does, so - good job!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp

An image donated by [Link To User legerdemain] for use with Anniversary Reviews.


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi! I chose this essay for your Account Anniversary Review. You're quite right about the whole 'pairs' or 'sets' thing, unless you're shopping at a discount or thrift store (and, sometimes, not even then), and I agree that anything sold from a 'left and right' POV—except for socks—can make for a disappointing (if not actually depressing) shopping experience for someone without 'matching' limbs.

I, too, have experienced the "Just one?" restaurant greeting, even at my 'go-to' eatery (although that's usually with staff who don't know me well; most of the time, it's just "Do you need a menu tonight?"). From my perspective, I've always considered the thought behind the question to be, perhaps, that your dining partner may be parking the car or will be joining you shortly. I can understand, though, how the question can have a touch of condescension.

The cruise ship issue is fairly easily answered. The cruise line loses money—the 2nd fare—if you're alone in a standard room (double occupancy). If the ship offers solo cabins and you get one, you shouldn't have to 'make up the difference.'

All that being said, you're absolutely right: there's nothing at all wrong with pursuing an activity all on your own. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp

A new Anniversary Review signature to use, courtesy of [Link To User legerdemain]


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Burned  
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
It's your WDC Anniversary month, so here's a review for you! This is so sad, reading about a relationship ruined by betrayal. I've had a couple of 'almost' relationships, but I've never lost one to deceit. The hurt goes very deep, as shown in the 3rd stanza's last line: "Cold is my heart, my eyes are frost". The deceiver has burned their bridge, there's no going back, and there may not be a new bridge for the narrator.

You got a nice rhyme scheme going and kept at it throughout - good job! The meter varied somewhat but, since this wasn't tied to a specific form, it didn't matter at all and didn't distract me from enjoying the poem. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp

An image donated by [Link To User legerdemain] for use with Anniversary Reviews


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of For Either Of Us  
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (3.5)
Hi! Virtual dice have declared you the winner of an Anniversary Review, so here we go! First of all, the story's beginning completely got me thinking in a different direction than the eventual finale - bravo! I even thought that the 'accused' was a mouse or rat, rather than just a housefly. The reference to serving time also led me astray as, by that point, I'd begun to suspect that 1) the target was some sort of vermin, rather than a person, 2) the weapon's caliber was likely a .22, and 3) the character would potentially be doing time for discharging a firearm within city limits or some such locality.

I'm pretty much in favor of dealing a death blow to all types of vermin, so I quite enjoyed your story. Thanks for sharing it!

Congratulations on your WdC Anniversary.


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi! The Virtual Dice say it's time for an Anniversary Review, so here we go! Lord only knows where, but I've actually heard of this coffee. Anyone visiting this shop should be forewarned by its name, and I thought it was a nice 'plug' to name the owner Kopi. I liked how you set up Sidehill Wampus Cat's habitat, quietly explained in the area set aside for 'special customers', as well as the gathering and roasting process. That's pretty much how "in the wild" beans are harvested, and I thought it made a fun read.

Thanks for sharing this with us!

A new Anniversary Review signature to use, courtesy of [Link To User legerdemain]


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
Hi! I just wanted to share a few thoughts about your poem. It's a sad poem about two people who were very much in love, but issues of some sort came between them and they grew apart, leaving only the memories of how great they were together to sustain him. Thanks for sharing bit of yourself with us.

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Even Prompter  
for entry "Saplings" 
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Good evening! If I may, I'd like to offer a few thoughts on your poem. I like how you expand on the prompt image by taking us from tiny twig to tree, and how you urge the tree to grow ever taller, so that it can most benefit from the sunlight. I also see how you used the last line to reflect a possible reason for the sparseness of fully grown trees in the image.

As to your poem's form and rhyme scheme, both were well executed; none of it felt 'forced' to me. Thanks for sharing this!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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for entry "Passion Tanka" 
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
Hi! I chose Passion for this week's review. The image you created of shared passion just leaps right off the screen, showcasing the personal and emotional viewpoint allowed in a tanka. For me, it conjures an image suitable for use as the front cover of a romance novel (and we all know how racy some of those can be). Your Note addresses any concern one might have regarding the form's rules, so I think you followed them just fine, so I have no suggestions for improvement. Thanks for sharing this!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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for entry "Invalid Entry" 
Review by Writer_Mike
In affiliation with Positive Hearts Reviews Group  
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi! I chose your poem from the Week 4 entries for review. I like the acrostic you created. I've always liked that form, as it allows a great deal of freedom, but still requires some thought. This particular poem tells a truth; after all, no one hopes for less. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Even Prompter  
for entry "No Taxis" 
Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: E | (4.0)
I've never tried to hail a taxi on the street, but the idea that a more or less famous person stands a better chance isn't all that far-fetched; location probably matters, too. It's also likely, in a big city, anyway, that you're walking if you're not driving. Besides the yellow (mostly) beetles scurrying about, you also mentioned one particular car. Do you know who may have a car labelled WRITER? The same guy who had a bulletproof vest with that label: Richard Castle [character in the eponymous TV show]. *BigSmile*

The rhyme and meter don't play a part in free verse, so I'd say you did you just fine and I have no suggestions for improvement. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of Summer  
Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: E | (4.0)
Hi! The title certainly matches your poem, which does a great job describing the hottest part of the year. I can easily imagine wilting plants all bent over and begging for rain, and many of us have seen that shimmer of heat above a baked surface. You clearly made appropriate use of seasonal kigo, too - great job!

I don't see any errors, nor do I have any suggestions for improvement. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
I chose "Until 2 A.M. (Silly Bunny)" to review for this week's prompt. I found your poem to be both sad and sweet. Sad, in that the little boy was so different, he was tormented by other schoolkids and learned to hide in order to protect himself. Sweet, in that his mom was so loving and understanding, that she read him stories and told him tales until late into the night. I like how he finally was able to stand on his own, and that he found someone with whom to share his nights.

I have no suggestions for corrections or additions; I like the poem just as it is. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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for entry "In God I trust" 
Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: E | (4.0)
I like how you describe your relationship with God as an on-going thing, a work in progress. You also seem to view repentance as more than just a "one and done" proposition. You describe what is likely the most important part of your plan for your life and, although it's fairly short, you lay out some important points. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Add'l info ▼

Reviews are like a box of chocolates. Take what you like and toss the rest. F. Gimp


*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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Review of April Shadows  
Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
I don't know if that's how you intended it, but this poem speaks to me of feelings hurt and love lost long ago, causing the heart to freeze over. The heart now waits, hoping, wondering, if the warmth of love will ever bring a thaw. And if it comes, how will it be?
Thank you for sharing this with us, Kåre.
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Review of Feathers  
Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
I, too, have memories of our 'before time', and I'm glad of it. I never considered a feather comparison before but, as feathers in the slightest breeze will go any- and everywhere, so, too, are my memories of her. They're everywhere I look, everything I hear. Thanks for sharing this, Ken.
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Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: E | (4.0)
A Romantic Review

In Manchester she came into the world -
not England's north, but north of Boston Town -
and frolicked as the snowflakes 'round her swirled
and lit upon her head - a frosty crown.

She served at home but also far abroad
her country's uniform so proudly wore
and walked, perhaps, where Charlemagne had trod
when conquering he went in days of yore.

Romantic arts reside within her heart,
and so to show us love's not just for birds,
she plies her skill with such creative art
to make us puzzles full of lovely words.

Now having set them out for us to do,
if falls to us to leave a good review.

A good puzzle, StephBee! One long word to keep us thinking we can do it - *Smile* - and a liberal sprinkling of shorter ones to keep us looking. Thanks for sharing!
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Review of Ashen, Uncertain  
Review by Writer_Mike
Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
I hope that feeling of rebirth, of renewal, that traditionally arrives with Spring comes much sooner than a look at the calendar would indicate. You, and your city, have suffered more than long enough.
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