Great imagery ....... Harry and Ron at the top of ahill, dark clouds, thunder, rain ....... and a talk between old best friends reaffirming Harry's decision. Just a last minute check: "are you sure" and once spoken will be absorbd and not spoken about again. Harry's utmost faith in Ginny now passed on to Ron, in itself a strenthening of the foursome.
Rhetor Saturday 10th February 2007 18:16
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thank you very much. I was trying to do more with less here, and I'm glad it worked for you.
Lovely writing Rhetor. The initial imagery is striking and sensuous, the storm counterpointing the tensions between the boys/men. I haven't come across this scene being played out anywhere previously, so I'm very interested to see what you're going to do with it. Normally it's Ron and Hermione trying to get Harry to agree to Ginny going with them.
Unusual, too, to see Molly coming out in Ron as in that final scene with the baby and the blanket. Unusual, but very striking and very touching and very true.
Ta.
Rhetor Tuesday 6th February 2007 10:35
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Many thanks. I'm glad you appreciated the maternal coming out in Ron; I think it was his motivation throughout the entire scene -- protecting Harry. ~Ken
From the "Horcruxes" angle, I find it very interesting that you put together Harry as the "Seeker", Ginny as the "Chaser" and Ron as the "Keeper."
I, for one, believe that the last Horcrux is Wormtail's silver hand (and Ron had once "kept" Scabber as a pet (!)), so your idea seems strikingly brilliant to me
Good Job, I can't wait to read the next chapters!
Rhetor Monday 5th February 2007 21:00
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thank you! I find your idea of the hand very interesting. The next chapter is coming in a day or two, but you won't see direct mention of horcruxes again (although they will be referred to obliquely).
Hmm. Interesting proposition that Harry is arguing for Ginny to accompany the Trio (Quado?) on the Great Horcrux Hunt (TM). Most fics have Harry still pulling a "Spider Man" over Ginny's involvement.
So Ken, will this bit of angst eventually become a theme available to G Deck passengers aboard See-Ya Cruises?
Rhetor Monday 5th February 2007 16:49
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thank you for those kind words. One wonders whether Harry is making the right decision; clearly Ron is worried about it.
As for that Slow Boat to which you referred, I think you can expect to see someone or something on the Angst Deck that might bear some tiny resemblence to some aspect of this.... *whistles innocently*
How to describe this prologue? I've tried before, but somehow it's not right. This chapter is . . .
You're walking along the sidewalk on a normal day. Your mind is elsewhere, and as you casually glance around at your surroundings, you see something beginning. You know, immediately, that it could turn out to be nothing of consequence, merely a sigh in the course of a day. But it could also become something terrible. And so you take a quick breath and hold it, waiting to see what happens.
This chapter is that breath.
Rhetor Monday 5th February 2007 16:47
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thank you, Dave. I like that take on the Prologue. I did worry that this chapter was a bit heavy on the foreshadowing (as when someone reviewed it by saying, "Well, that's not going to end well, is it?" ). But to judge from some of the reviews this time 'round, it seems I haven't foreshadowed as much as I thought I had. ~Ken
I'm intrigued. The dialogue is quality! When will you post the rest?
Rhetor Monday 5th February 2007 16:44
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thanks for that praise! I'm working with my beta right now to post Chapter Two; should be ready in a day or two. Expect the final chapter a day or two after that. ~Ken
WOW .... You have a fantastic sense of imagery. So many pople forget that the small details round the story out so much more. The story definitly does not seem to follow the overwelming concensus that Harry would distance himself away from Ginny, cudos for that. I eagarly await the next installment. Keep up great work!
Rhetor Monday 5th February 2007 16:43
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thank you for your praise of my imagery and details. I work hard at it. True, so far this story doesn't follow the consensus of what Harry would do; the question is, what's the result? (The story summary is a clue...)
I can hardly wait for the next two chapters. If they're as good as this one is at conjuring up mental images of the action, I'm going to like them very much. Harry is really lucky to have a friend like Ron who's supportive and even acts the part of the devil's advocate when needed. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Rhetor Monday 5th February 2007 16:41
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thank you for that praise. Conjuring up mental images of the action is one of the things for which I strive. I agree that Harry's lucky; you'd think he'd take the advice...
Ken, This is going to be another strong and fun to read story. Your Harry and Ron on the verge of manhood are perfect foils for each other. The descriptions of the coming storm and the full force of it were sensual.
Indeed, happy belated birthday. St Margarets suggested coming to read your latest.
Rhetor Sunday 4th February 2007 20:29
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the atmospherics. The next chapter is very different in style, but also has one or two "sensual" anchors. St Margarets is a pal. ~Ken
Well, I know where this is going because I've had a sneak preview. But that doesn't mean I enjoyed it any the less. Your ability to say more than you are saying leaves me in awe.
Oh and a belated
Rhetor Sunday 4th February 2007 19:29
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thanks, Ros. You interrupted me in the middle of Chapter Three of The Squib. If I am saying more than I am saying, aren't I also saying less than I am saying? ~Ken
I love a fic where Ginny joins the trio in the search for horcruxes, mainly because hands down, in my opinion, despite what Jk says, she is a much more powerful and natural witch than Hermione will ever be. She will be a welcome addition to the trio. Good job and plot line.
Rhetor Sunday 4th February 2007 19:31
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thanks! I'm glad you like it. I'm worried, though, that you might not be so happy with me after Chapter Two. It was Ron, not Harry, who had the sense to come in out of the rain... ~Ken
Well, if the Prologue is any sign of things to come, we're in for a real treat! Harry hunting Horcruxes is one of my favorite plots and it only gets better when Ginny gets to come along. Of course, I don't think JKR will do things that way, but we can always hope!
The style of your writing is superb. I could feel the cool of the approaching storm and the breeze as it whipped around me. It was like I was present in the scene, an unnoticed bystander catching every word and feeling every emotion. The storm was a brilliant tool for expressing the emotions of the characters rising and falling. I love Harry in this position. He's both a boy and a man, and the way Ron watches him at the end expresses it all - we just want to help him get through it. I have to agree with Harry that having Ginny along can only make things better. I'm sure the rest of the story is going to be great!
Rhetor Sunday 4th February 2007 18:24
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
I thank you for that enthusiastic response. I hope you won't be angry with me after you read Chapter Two; there's a reason this was a storm and not a sunrise. ~Ken
Wow! What a prologue! The descriptions were wonderful and the dialogue seemed very ....uh.....for want of a better word, smooth. It seemed very natural, if you know what i mean. Can't wait for more!
Siriusluvr
Rhetor Sunday 4th February 2007 15:59
Prologue: Before a Storm (Author Response)
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the dialogue. More is coming in a day or two. ~Ken
so your idea seems strikingly brilliant to me 
