Erica

Creative but EXTREMELY opinionated because the beginning descriptions do not give away anything real about Erica`s actual (hi)story.

``There was something about her that made them believe that she would make her mark in the world.`` No, there was not. Or, what was it?

``Her actions seemed wiser than her years`` Wiser? What did I miss?

``Her morals were of the highest standards`` Hahaha at `morals`.

``She resolved issues with wisdom`` Only if wisdom means manipulation.

manu

Allow me to apologize since I still haven`t discerned anything of redeeming value here.

That said, I am incapable of appreciating pure beauty, one that is said to be its own reward, except, as you accurately guessed, in Archie comics.

mmm...i read it again but still manu you should come up with a real stuff I must say. Or Chowk Staff had been kind with you enough!
Blog writing is not a degraded step off from Front Page though!

Manu:

Don`t be disheartened, please. And do keep writing.

I second Beejay and Subroto...don`t let the initial reception discourage you from submitting more work :).

Dear Manu,

Like BeeJay I feel guilty too. But then on the other hand don`t feel discouraged - you have been brave enough to release your writing into the jungles of Chowk inhabited by its fierce critics (and I know how that feels). Personally I feel the comments have been rather mild as opposed to what some writers get but then I could be wrong.

If you are happy with your work then Chowkies be damned - go and submit another one. Keep on writing and don`t let our malicious mean streak let you down.

Regards,
Subroto

hey beejay

`heartbroken` would be an exaggeration... but thanks, you have given me some tangible stuff to work on..
only, i have absolutely no prejudice against the US as a nation.. and therefore it is surprising that you sense a prejudice..
but tell me, isnt any work of fiction or semi fiction an expression of the writer.. a character in a plot is the author`s view on how the situation pans out... and so there can be no benchmark... only an opinion on whether he has expressed himself well or not... and even that, is only an opinion, and hence extremely subjective just like the palate ...
also, does every story/plot have to make a point? isnt the point subjective too?? eg. a calvin makes a whole lot of points, an archie almost none, but they are both extremely popular...

Dear Manu:

Your apparent heartbroken disappointment at the reaction to your stuff from chowk readership made me feel so guilty that I went back and read it a second time. Here are some more comments, based on how I see it.

You begin quite well. However, after a paragraph or so, you let your prejudice against USA take over and ruin it completely. There is zero plot and the article makes absolutely no point other than give you an opportunity to vent against whatever (real or imagined) grievances you have against that country. Therefore, I think this stuff is an ideal blog. But you need to work on it some more (in my view, a lot more) before it’s ready for prime time.

Keep in mind that you have every right to your opinions for or against this country or that! In fact, chowk is crowded (perhaps jampacked) with authors who have opinions (and perhaps little else) on everything under the sky! But like some of these eminent writers, you need to learn to cloak them appropriately so they appear palatable (at least in their own minds).

I hope it helps!

Cheer up, Manu! Life is not THAT bad! At least you got published by this highly objective and impartial Chowk editorial crowd (unfairly called “nitwits” by its detractors). I’m sure quite a few are still trying to get there (and will continue to do so till the cows come home, or carbon-14 uses up its “full” life)!

Wiping your tears and
Extending to you
My cheers and hugs, and
Everlasting bonds of affection

I am
Sincerely

BeeJay.

winterpk: thx, but truth be told, i am quite disappointed with chowk... so will restrict myself to my blog...:)

islamabadikurri: that was extremely nice of you... the spirit of criticism doesnt seem to be quite right, bordering on malicious... or maybe its chowk`s form of induction.. :), and i dont have the stomach for it ... but hey, please do visit my blog (manuscrypts.blogspot.com)

kaalchakra: without the past, there might be no future

BeeJay: always nice to have made someone glad :)

subroto: would love to, only there would be a slight problem in pronunciation, no?? :)

hey nadia, thx :)

rozaiba: well, i like to keep things simple... quite a convenient way to be :)

nadia: if its a joke, i missed it too :)

Quite interesting, Manu.

I wonder what`s wrong with most of the people here. Have you forgotten how to appreciate things? Or is it deliberate? Either try to write a better piece than the one you criticize or click elsewhere to satiate your `literary` taste buds.

welcome to chowk manu...do write on :)

Hey Manu:

I am glad you wrote a SHORT story.

BeeJay.

History can take of itself. We need to worry about Chowk`s future.

manu:

welcome to chowk:)

reminded me of Motherland Tales

Nadia:

:)

t