G. Thompson edited Stephen King's first four novels: Carrie, 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, and The Stand–some of my favorite books. I feel extremely fortunate to have his interest and insights.
I just popped my manuscript in the mail last week, so it will be a few weeks before he'll get back to me with a full critique.
But, if you're interested, here's what he had to say about the first fifty pages:
Nice stuff. He’s got all the ingredients for a good horror thriller. First of all, we’ve got a great setting—the island-dotted Vancouver area in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve got the young wife moving her mainland shared veterinary practice to their not-so-new island home. Her husband will work as a charter fishing guide. The opportunities for a new life, to include children, seem to outweigh the challenges presented.
The island is remote, made moreso by the presence of a submerged, sinister rock formerly part of the island. Its dark, hulking form is not only a navigational hazard but carries with it generations (?) of Native American stories of its malice toward any who sail near it.
The stories are easily dismissed, but trigger in our protagonist heroine her deeply felt wariness—perhaps fear—of untamed water. The story will justify her fears.
More to come.
Ethan
Congratulations, Ethan, on such positive, encouraging feedback from Thompson! I can't wait, as I'm sure neither can you, to hear what he has to say about the rest! Even more so, I can't wait to read the rest! What an awesome accomplishment! Go Ethan!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Beth. I'm a big fan of your writing too.
DeleteYou rock!! Wait. No pun intended.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great story, and congrats on the praise.
PS: I cannot read your book. I already have a fear of open water. It would ruin me for boating and swimming like watching Blair Witch would ruin me for camping.
Ha. Jaws ruined me for swimming, so I won't hold it against you. Thanks for the note, and great to hear from you.
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