Timewaster's Guide Archive

I'd suggest increasing the pacing at the beginning. For example, have the character wake up because he's coughing, then open his eyes causing them to sting of smoke, and then have him dive to the floor. It didn't seem to urgent when he woke up, like he was waking up on any other day. It took me a couple of sentences to realize that it was fire. At first I thought it was a hot day and the AC didn't work, or something. Then I was confused by the brown cloud of smoke. Knowing it was YA, I thought the cloud of smoke was mystical (esp. with the description of it diving into his lungs). I reoriented myself, but it took a few sentences.

I didn't have the same problem with gender--I assumed it was a guy--but I don't think there was anything that necessarily pointed either way.

I didn't really get the age of the character until they mentioned high school. I couldn't tell by the way he was acting or how he spoke. Don't know if that's a major problem, but before his parents showed up, I wasn't sure if he was in his 20s or something.

There are definitely some intriguing stuff about him not getting burned, but yet he was burned as a kid, so it's possible. That kind of pulls you in. I'm also wondering how he drowned and got burned at the same time.

The dialog didn't really feel realistic. How deep have you developed your characters? The dialog didn't feel distinctive from one character to another. If you've developed your characters in your mind, it's easier to imagine how they would talk.

There didn't seem like a lot of connection going on between the characters--as if they just met rather than being a family.

In a way, it seems like they don't really want to go back to Slovakia (despite saying they've been thinking about it), and are really worried about moving back there. It creates some intrigue as to why (and why the mom lied about talking about her mother), but at the same time seems weird.

Also, why does Tomas not have anything to stay for? If he's lived there since 6 years old, you'd think he'd have some friends there, despite his burns. I'm surprised he's so willing to move.

Pssst, Tink! I love your icon!

Thanks. Me, too  .

I was just so happy to have a new episode to watch!!

One thing I thought was interesting: when Nathan was talking with Peter about how he didn't know what he would do if Peter died, Nathan seemed so sincere. But when he talked to Claire about how she would need to disappear to Paris, but then come back to be with her family, he didn't seem to believe it at all. I also wonder what Nathan is feeling. He now knows what it would be like to lose Peter. Is he willing to possibly sacrifice him? (Granted, Peter thinks he can survive the blast--but can he?)

Also, I was a little confused as to how Nathan could become President of the US by the time the bomb goes off when the city is suppose to blow up within a few weeks. (Maybe I'm not understanding the timeline of it all. Or maybe we just don't know something. Hmm.)

Yay for Heroes!

I agree to that I think 95%. I think that some people are more apt to do certain things well and have a knack or talent for something, but I agree completely that if you don't commit to that talent, then nothing will come from it. For example, Tiger Woods has played golf since age 2 and has been completely committed to it. He wouldn't be where he is now without the many hours of practice. Yet some may look at him and say, "Why can't I play golf that well? He's so young. Why couldn't I have his talent?" They don't see the hours and hours of practice, committing to learning the techniques and getting better.

I think that people think how great it would be to be great at something, but it really comes down to whether you're willing to put your whole heart and effort into it and sacrifice whatever is needed to be successful. If not, then you'll only be mediocre at best.

I used to want to be an author, but when I realized that I didn't have a passion for it and wasn't willing to put in the effort or time needed to get good enough, I gave it up. I didn't see any point in putting effort into something I was only going to mediocre with. If I enjoyed it enough and had enough passion for it, then I would've gone the other direction--putting myself completely into it (the way EUOL has done, first by committing to write at his job every moment he could and now by doing it full time. Just the fact that he wrote novel after novel before he had written something good enough to publish I think shows his commitment).

I also think a lot of people are scared to put their whole heart into it because they think they're "putting all their eggs in one basket." They think, "If I commit myself completely to this or that and I'm not good enough, then where will I be?" I can understand that concern, but I think it keeps us at mediocre.

I'm not sure if this applies, but it reminds me of the quote by Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

They also have a Senior Editor position, http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/answer.py?answer=56971&query=edit&topic=&type=edit:

Senior Online Editor - Mountain View

This position is based in Mountain View, CA.

The Editorial Team researches, creates, edits and manages a large portion of Google's customer-facing content. We're looking for flexible, creative, motivated writers who can work independently and, more importantly, as part of a growing team.

To succeed in this role you must fully understand and articulate the values of Google and Google products. You must also confidently manage a variety of interests as you interact with a wide range of project teams within Google.

The range and deadlines of your assignments will vary greatly; however, you should be able to produce informative, accurate and lively content in a timely fashion, often at a moment's notice. The role demands extreme discipline, hard work and diligence. In return, you'll receive enormous satisfaction as a key member of a dynamic team.

Because your success as a member of this team depends on your knowledge of the products we support, we strongly recommend that you review both our consumer products (Google Maps, Google News, Gmail, etc.) and our advertising products (AdWords and AdSense).

Responsibilities:

Write and/or edit copy, including website help content, user interface (UI) messaging and other instructional pieces.
Work collaboratively within a cross-functional team environment to analyze, create and maintain messaging in a timely and consistent manner.
Support a variety of teams across the company.
Ensure that our customers have positive interactions with Google.
Requirements:
B.A. (M.A. preferred), ideally in English, Journalism, Communications or related field.
5+ years of relevant experience (such as technical writing, product documentation, or online publishing) if degree is not in a writing-related field.
Portfolio of diverse writing projects.
Marketing and technical writing.
Excellent communication skills and sharp attention to detail.
Ability to compose all types of writing for various audiences while meeting aggressive deadlines.
Proven teamwork skills and flexibility.
Strong sense of customer service.

For some reason I always pictured the spikes going the other way (so that the pointy end was coming out the eyes). This is not necessarily the fault of the descriptions because I'm not very good at interpreting descriptions as I tend to skim rather than read (especially when I'm excited about what I'm reading).

That sounds like a good plan. Go Scholastic!

Pretty intriguing to find out that Claire and Jack are step siblings, though! Hey, that means that little Aaron is Jack's nephew.

Half-siblings, you mean.

I wonder how much of this was planned from the beginning and how much they have added to the plot to extend it.

Did they ever say why Jack's dad went to Australia? I wonder if Claire contacted him to tell her how to let her mom die "legally".