Re: Nick Fic Song Challenge #3 - "The Change" - Stories Up!
The stories are up for you to read on our beautiful site created for us by Egeria, complete with a homepage and links to individual challenge pages! Great job! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You're welcome! You're welcome! You're welcome! :lol:
I just want to say that everyone did an awesome job with their fics. I truly enjoyed reading every one of them. And I want to reiterate (sp?) that I love the design of the site. Egeria, you did an awesome job on it!
GNRF, thank you so much. I can't tell you how much this means to me. Thank YOU!
So some reviews from me. Again, I feel a bit ashamed to be writing these, considering I’m no expert and what the heck do I know? But, it’s just how I feel as I read the stories, so I hope you don’t mind my verbosity.
Two Lost Souls
Interesting start, writing from Greg’s point of view. With his natural curiosity he’s the perfect lead in to Nick.
Even though you named the dog Mary (and I presume that’s to throw the reader off hmm?) I have to admit I figured it out pretty early, much earlier than Greg did
I do love the image of Nick playing with his dog, throwing a Frisbee and strolling along.
I also love the image of an emotional Nick complete with dripping nose. It’s a very realistic human touch, as is the flow of Nick’s thoughts following his visit with Kelly Gordon.
You have a strong sense for dialogue. The interaction between Nick and the abusive kid was very good, same with the scene at the vet. You can really sense the tension with Nick’s empathy for the dog which has almost humanlike characteristics. Nick identifying with the dog was really sweet, and the two seem to be reaching out to each other.
This is a very sweet story and a good glimpse into Nick’s character as an empathic and warm hearted person.
The Change That Led to This Moment
Your story really captures that sense of loss we’ve seen in Nick over Season 9, especially since Turn Turn Turn. I love your opening scene, reminiscent of Grissom’s final walk down the halls of the crime lab.
I really love how you’ve given Nick the decisiveness to leave, bringing us into the story where we haven’t seen him go through the decision making process. Its very attention getting and you succeeded in investing us in his choice right from the start.
I also like how Catherine is so readily accepting of his decision, again alluding to Grissom’s departure; it emphasizes what a keen and discerning woman she is. Your characterization is bang on here.
Their conversation is beautiful and heartbreaking, both in the dialogue and in their actions towards each other.
This was a sad story in a way, but also a hopeful one. Nicely done.
A Day Mid-May
Right from the start I was immersed in your story. The detail is beautiful, from your description of the clear blue sky to a bird singing in the trees.
You did a fabulous job of characterizing Nick, and the story really works both when you first read it and think it’s an adult Nick, then again when you go back and read it knowing Nick is 9 years old. Absolutely brilliant.
This story really tore at the heartstrings I have to say, your set up was masterful, turning a peaceful, lazy afternoon into something so tragic. That’s the way life goes though, and makes the story that much more believable for it.
You did make me cry, your line ‘He checked on the other kittens, but they would never see a sunny day like that again’ was so poignant. I actually get choked up just typing this! It’s heartbreakingly effective, the way you’ve allowed us to share Nick’s empathy.
I really loved your description of a young Nick, scrawny and wet, clutching his little orange kitten. That image is going to stay with me now, and it’s a reminder of where Nick came from, the things he has been through that has made him the CSI he is today.
And the way you tied it all in at the end, with an adult Nick revisiting the scene of such a turning point. Beautiful.