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SmT3040

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I posted before about my investigation story, and after i got some awesome ideas. I went ahead and began to write it. Now it's rough, so there will be errors, just wanna see if this prologue will make you want to read more, and if not give me some advice on how to make it better. This story has no title yet.


Prologue:Three missing women.

The wedding was being held outside, in the October temperature, but it was nice, Annabella’s wedding was to be perfect, she was marrying the man of her dreams out by the light house near her daddy’s farm on the island of Monhegan Maine. It was coming down to the hour of the ceremony and Annabella’s sister Maria was missing as well as her two bride’s maids; Alison and Rebeca. When she thought about exactly when she last saw them, she realized they were suppose to head in to town to grab last minuet flowers from the florist, but never made any notice of leaving or coming back. Annabella wasn’t going to have her wedding with out three people, she would not stand for it; everyone dropped their tasks and went scouting for the three women...
Maria, Rebeca and Alison were murdered that night, the preacher and his wife made their way behind the alter to look for the girls and not even four steps in to the woods did they find their mangled bodies. Police were called in and they investigated the scene further, Annabella was in a catatonic state after they told her, the three were drained of blood and their organs were replaced. If this report wasn’t bad enough days later, the same type of murder was once again reported, this time it was tourists were found dead with the same type of lacerations, no blood or organs even some limbs were missing. Many of the locals no longer felt safe on their rock, and even decided to get hotels on the main land until the investigation is solved.
At this point, it was categorized as serial killings and the local police couldn’t handle it alone as law states, if it goes beyond just first degree murder the FBI must get involved, they also were afraid these killings might be apart of a bigger scandal so they had no choice but to call in additional help. When the police made the call in to agents there, they never expected the Bureau would send two people who would unearth more about the island town then most knew
about...
 
If you're enjoying writing that's what matters most--in my book anyway. Keep writing; it's fun.

That said, I don't think this story is going to get much of a following. The grammar, spelling, and word choice are not so good. There are awkward phrases all over. It's loaded with passive voice. It isn't particularly descriptive. You describe the weather as "nice" And the wedding as "perfect." I can't picture a thing. :(

Substantively, I had trouble following it at times. What is "beyond first degree murder"? Serial killing? And what does their organs were "replaced" mean? Replaced with what?

Don't give up. Everybody has to start somewhere. :)
 
I have to echo Paco. Way too much passive voice, which I think is an easy trap to fall into when you're trying to describe what's in your head.

But even that first sentence should be fixed; switch to a more active voice and break it into two sentences. And there are mechanical mistakes like "bride's maids;" no, they are "bridesmaids."

I didn't get the "replaced" organs either, and I've never heard of "beyond first degree murder." If you're going to drag the FBI into it, find out why they'd be involved in the first place. For example, I understand that they are brought in on kidnapping cases, but that may be if the crime crosses state lines. At any rate, no matter which law enforcement branches you want to use, do them the courtesy of writing it accurately.

I can say this -- there are interesting elements, but the way that is written, I would not read more.
 
I have to echo Paco. Way too much passive voice, which I think is an easy trap to fall into when you're trying to describe what's in your head.

But even that first sentence should be fixed; switch to a more active voice and break it into two sentences. And there are mechanical mistakes like "bride's maids;" no, they are "bridesmaids."

I didn't get the "replaced" organs either, and I've never heard of "beyond first degree murder." If you're going to drag the FBI into it, find out why they'd be involved in the first place. For example, I understand that they are brought in on kidnapping cases, but that may be if the crime crosses state lines. At any rate, no matter which law enforcement branches you want to use, do them the courtesy of writing it accurately.

I can say this -- there are interesting elements, but the way that is written, I would not read more.

"Replaced" was a terrible error on my end, its meant to be removed. But that isn't the only problem. What exactly is "passive" voice? i have an idea of what it could be, but i may be wrong.
 
"Replaced" was a terrible error on my end, its meant to be removed. But that isn't the only problem. What exactly is "passive" voice? i have an idea of what it could be, but i may be wrong.

Removed makes much more sense. :)

When you say things like "she was going" or "he was helping," that is passive voice. Generally -- not always, but generally -- it's better to go with active voice. If you don't mind, I'll give you an idea using your own first paragraph, redone in active voice.

It was a beautiful, warm day in October; perfect for an outdoor wedding. Annabella thought it was perfect: she was marrying the man of her dreams in her favorite place, near the light house on the island of Monhegan, off the coast of Maine.

It was nearly time for the ceremony, but no one had seen two of the bridesmaids, Alison and Rebeca, her closest friends. Annabella frowned. There had been a mix-up with the flowers, and the florist was ill. Alison and Rebeca had offered to run into town on the mainland to pick up some last-minute replacements. Annabella checked her watch--they'd been gone much too long.

Nervous now, Annabella turned to her mother. "Mom, I'm worried about the girls. They should have been back by now; it's been over three hours."

Her mother frowned. "You're right, sweetie. Come on, let's ask around. You should stay here, though. You don't want [groom] to see you. Bad luck, remember?"

"I don't care about that, Mom, it's just superstition. I want to find Alison and Rebeca, I'm really starting to get scared."

"You're right, let's go. I haven't seen Maria, either, and I think she went with them."

Annabella and her mother walked over to the groomsmen and voiced their fears. Word spread quickly and soon everyone who'd come to the wedding offered to help search for the missing women.

A shout and a scream brought everyone running to the archway that had been set up for the bride and groom to exchange their vows.

When Annabella arrived, a crowd had already gathered. [The groom] caught her up in his arms.

"Anna, don't." He shook his head. "You don't want to see."

"What? What's wrong?" She paled and grabbed his arm. "Damn it, what is wrong?" She struggled free and ran ahead, despite his efforts to stop her.

Annabella stopped short and tried to scream, but couldn't. Everything faded away at the sight before her. Maria, Alison and Rebeca -- all dead. Their bodies were mangled, ripped open.

[Groom] dragged Annabella away as people shouted for others to call the police, to call 911. She didn't resist, and was in a near-catatonic state the rest of the day. The police report was grim and sent her further into withdrawal. The women's blood had been drained, and their organs removed; more than one person mentioned Jack the Ripper. Within a week, another report of similar murders, this time involving tourists, roared through the headlines.

The murders had a devastating effect on the little island. Tourists cut vacations short, and even locals found they needed to visit relatives and friends far from Maine. Increased police presence and talk of FBI involvement didn't soothe anyone's nerves.

Okay, that was more than I meant to do. but I realized a few other things. I don't think you can have a forest, and a farm, and a light house all on this little island.
 
Passive voice was one of those things your pesky English teacher was talking about while you were oggling the girl sitting two rows over. Oh, Sheri A. and her little clingy leopard print skirt.

Plug passive voice into Google. I did and the first hit looked like a good start: Passive Voice.
 
I really didn't mean to go on with the sample re-write above. But while I was doing it, I noted some details you might want to reconsider.

You have this all taking place near a light house on an island. I looked up Monhegan Island and found out it has a very small amount of land, and a population of 75 people. Now, not to say you can't have a wedding there, but to have a light house and a farm and woods is not likely. You might want to reconsider the location. I mean, you can add a light house (there doesn't appear to be one in real life) but if you want a location with all of that, you should probably invent it. You can still have an island off the coast of Maine.

If this is outdoors, why is there an altar (not alter)? Altars are sacred and in a church, although I suppose you could construct one. That's why I talked about an arch in my re-write.

As I said before, having a series of killings or a serial killer is fine, but you should look up how that stuff involves law enforcement. No doubt the local police would call in help, but that might start with state troopers or county police (if that's how it's organized) before bringing in the FBI.

Hope that helps.
 
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I think PL means "county" police. Some counties have a sheriff's department instead.
 
Yes, sorry. Fingers have a mind of their own sometimes. Which always reminds me of a Clive Barker short story...

Anyway, good catch, Paco.
 
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