Comments Made by Steve Fairweather

Comment on Stick the Landing

2008-05-16T23:10:31Z

Yeah, I know what you mean John. My approach so far in writing these characters is that when it comes to villainy, they’re part of the game, they’ve seen it all or heard it all already. I think it’s interesting how Ridcully made Phil a bit more of a hero but I’m always going to take everything down a peg with a bit of humor, at least in this series.

Comment on Awakening to Dusk

2008-05-16T19:47:12Z

Good read. I’m kind of a sucker for isolationism, I think when someone is taken out of a social setting (or society entirely) you learn a lot about what kind of person they are and it’s a great mechanism for story telling.

Very interested to see how this evolves!

Comment on Saturday Waffles [When I Grow Up Challenge]

2008-05-15T16:56:39Z

I know this doesn’t match the tone of the other entries, but whenever I think of my childhood these Saturday mornings are always at the forefront of my memory. Simple, enjoyable days like those are all I ever want as I grow up.

Comment on Saint Chuck's When I Grow Up Challenge [100 Ficlets]

2008-05-15T16:01:50Z

Just got through digesting all the entries, some really remarkable stuff, very well done.

This challenge seems to be bringing out the best in everyone, time to try my hand…

Comment on I Want To Be A Hero (When I Grow Up Challenge)

2008-05-15T16:00:56Z

Is it bad that I used to root for Cobra Commander and the Decepticons?

Really agree with the sentiment here. A child’s imagination is by far their biggest asset and it should be everyone’s hope to never lose use of theirs.

Comment on What I wanted to be when I was seven! (Saint Chuck's Challenge)

2008-05-15T15:57:06Z

Captured the childhood spirit perfectly. If I can’t drive an ice cream truck I guess I’ll just be a astronaut, kinda thing.

Very enjoyable read.

Comment on Sad truth, so get smart

2008-05-15T15:52:08Z

Nice dichotomy here. He both loves and hates himself and there is no middle ground. Any ability to express himself intellectually is directly opposed and superseded by his greed.

Comment on Where Are All the Groupies? [When I Grow Up Challenge]

2008-05-15T15:42:05Z

A good peak at the tedium of life as an IT professional. Trust us, It’s certainly not as sexy as the guidance counselor makes it sound, kids.

I think my favorite line was “I take the stairwell down to the seventh floor so that I can tell my wife I exercised today.” This little line just adds a lot of character insight. It shows your character as perhaps insecure on some level and perfectly sets up the end where he does accept who he is… at least until tomorrow.

Comment on Kofi's Wall [When I Grow Up Challenge]

2008-05-15T15:32:47Z

Wonderful. The innocence of the boy is very well done here. The intentional lack of descriptors bring it home I think. We’re left to assume that he knows nothing of the purpose of the wall, doesn’t know the guards name, why he’s being oppressed, or even who is liberating him (just “red uniforms”). All he knows is that he’s working close to where his dead mother is buried. A very sympathetic character.

Comment on Saint Chuck's When I Grow Up Challenge: Montage

2008-05-15T15:26:14Z

I really liked the flow of this. It transitions very well, shows how the youthful mind can shift gears so dramatically. One minute the cardboard box is a space ship, the next minute it’s a racing car.

Comment on Stages (When I Grow Up Challenge)

2008-05-15T15:17:28Z

I liked this approach, what we want from life really does evolve as we age and our perspectives change and you captured that very nicely.

Comment on I'm going to be.. (When I grow up challenge)

2008-05-15T15:14:52Z

I was raised by a single mother whom I respect more than anyone in the world. The strength that’s needed to be a good parent is really remarkable. You guys are super heroes.

This really is a very fitting tribute to Mom’s everywhere.

Comment on Message in a Basement

2008-05-14T19:15:39Z

I’m just catching up on this series now, really enjoying it so far.

There’s something very William Faulkner about the whole thing. Very precise with a carefully selected presentation. The shifting views is reminiscent of Faulkner’s narrative stream of consciousness. Not to mention a very emotional and evocative story.

Very well done so far.

Comment on Up to Spec

2008-05-14T18:24:56Z

Thanks guys, authenticity was exactly what I was going for here. John put us into a great position to turn the tables and arm our protagonist with some valuable information. I always enjoy when that sort of thing isn’t delivered on a silver platter but the characters have to work at it.

The email format for the ficlet was something I was also waiting for an opportunity to play with and I’m semi-satisfied with the results.

Comment on Checking Out the Competition

2008-05-14T17:44:25Z

Actually, I quite liked the direction it ended up taking the story. I think our man Phil needs to go on the offensive at some point or have some information for defense. Hopefully we’ll have provided him with something to allow that to happen.

It was tough but I wanted the follow up to this to show something that would appear to have no value but may prove important later. If it makes you feel any better I think I’ve left Ridcully in an equally challenging spot!