What could go wrong?
A young man invests in a new business.40 total reviews
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is fantastic. All your stories are fantastic I have decided. I have a little story (true) for you. Fear is THE best and THE worst motivating factor. The first year I went out for NNWM (2019) I told no-one. It was to be a surprise. I abandoned the attempt after 9 days - I was fine on the word count and all on one novel, starting at page one and moving linearly, but my heroine was still sitting on the same harbour wall of page 1, still swinging her legs. I knew exacltly where this novel was going, but the fear of the subject paralysed me and still does. Year 2 I decided just go for the word count, total dispersion, not even a single novel petry permissible. Anything goes. I hit 50,000 words at 22h15 on Nov 30th. In 2021 I tried to focus mainly on two novels, went into isolation for a week to write uninterupted and (under lyenochka's urging) showed a bit of what I'd produced during the week. I finished the words before midday on the 30th. This year I announced widely in advance what I was going to do. I'm doing it right. Only words on the one novel count... but I am giving up nothing of normal life to find the time, except posting on FS has dipped a lot. Fear of ridicule, failure and the refusal to cheat keep me firmly on track. The best 2 pieces of advice I had were 1) use fear to drive you, if you publicise your aim you cannot back down, 2) enjoy making a mess. No-one sees the draft but you, you can put whatever in it that is useful to the progress of the novel. No-one knows you wrote the last words on day 10 because they came to you in a dream. I have bits from all over the novel, I have a lounge full to the rafters of sheets covered with cryptic notes to myself, I will be finished on time, seven posts from this are in full view on FS and above all I am having a wonderful month in a world of nonsense. The moral of my story is that fear of whats in your head inhibits achievement, fear of public derision stimulates. Kate xx
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2022
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This is fantastic. All your stories are fantastic I have decided. I have a little story (true) for you. Fear is THE best and THE worst motivating factor. The first year I went out for NNWM (2019) I told no-one. It was to be a surprise. I abandoned the attempt after 9 days - I was fine on the word count and all on one novel, starting at page one and moving linearly, but my heroine was still sitting on the same harbour wall of page 1, still swinging her legs. I knew exacltly where this novel was going, but the fear of the subject paralysed me and still does. Year 2 I decided just go for the word count, total dispersion, not even a single novel petry permissible. Anything goes. I hit 50,000 words at 22h15 on Nov 30th. In 2021 I tried to focus mainly on two novels, went into isolation for a week to write uninterupted and (under lyenochka's urging) showed a bit of what I'd produced during the week. I finished the words before midday on the 30th. This year I announced widely in advance what I was going to do. I'm doing it right. Only words on the one novel count... but I am giving up nothing of normal life to find the time, except posting on FS has dipped a lot. Fear of ridicule, failure and the refusal to cheat keep me firmly on track. The best 2 pieces of advice I had were 1) use fear to drive you, if you publicise your aim you cannot back down, 2) enjoy making a mess. No-one sees the draft but you, you can put whatever in it that is useful to the progress of the novel. No-one knows you wrote the last words on day 10 because they came to you in a dream. I have bits from all over the novel, I have a lounge full to the rafters of sheets covered with cryptic notes to myself, I will be finished on time, seven posts from this are in full view on FS and above all I am having a wonderful month in a world of nonsense. The moral of my story is that fear of whats in your head inhibits achievement, fear of public derision stimulates. Kate xx
Comment Written 28-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2022
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Kate, thank you for the six stars. The review you wrote is a story in itself. When you finish the project, what you wrote here might be the basis for an epilogue. You are an inspiration.
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Maybe it's my post when I hit the line ? usually II write a poem. But who knows?
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i love what I read on FS, that is a lot of writing. Terry.
Comment from dellsworthpoet
An interesting review of risk-taking and risk management. Also of the inspirational power of raw fear.
The story flows well. The images are clear. The narrative stays on point. The punctuation of "I'm pregnant" drives home the unexpected bumps in the road.
Suggestion:
This might be even more powerful if some of the business "go wrongs" were explored. The ending is a nice wrap up.
Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2022
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An interesting review of risk-taking and risk management. Also of the inspirational power of raw fear.
The story flows well. The images are clear. The narrative stays on point. The punctuation of "I'm pregnant" drives home the unexpected bumps in the road.
Suggestion:
This might be even more powerful if some of the business "go wrongs" were explored. The ending is a nice wrap up.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2022
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Thank you for your fine review and thoughtful comments. I will think about your suggestion. Terry.
Comment from pome lover
well, thank goodness for a happy ending, unless you consider another pregnancy not being.
I have to say, I was expecting, when you kept asking "What could go wrong,?" some castatrophe from Jim's drinking. I'm surprised there wasn't.
Congrats on being recognized.
Katharine
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2022
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well, thank goodness for a happy ending, unless you consider another pregnancy not being.
I have to say, I was expecting, when you kept asking "What could go wrong,?" some castatrophe from Jim's drinking. I'm surprised there wasn't.
Congrats on being recognized.
Katharine
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2022
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Katharine, thank you for reading. I decided that one should ask "what could go wrong," but sometimes one can handle it and correct it. Terry.
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Terry,
I can so relate to Jim, at least the part where he starts thinking of all the things that can go wrong. While it can be a detriment at times to think negatively, it kind of helps one from going off too cocky or half cocked or whatever, thinking that failure can't happen. Good story. Thanks for sharing.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Hello Terry,
I can so relate to Jim, at least the part where he starts thinking of all the things that can go wrong. While it can be a detriment at times to think negatively, it kind of helps one from going off too cocky or half cocked or whatever, thinking that failure can't happen. Good story. Thanks for sharing.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Thank you for your review. Terry
Comment from lancellot
New business ventures are risky. You narrated a lot of information and figures, plus needed details about the venture, for most of the 'story'.
If anything I would caution about that, as it can become too telling and lose the reader without connecting with them.
Good job on the form and editing.
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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New business ventures are risky. You narrated a lot of information and figures, plus needed details about the venture, for most of the 'story'.
If anything I would caution about that, as it can become too telling and lose the reader without connecting with them.
Good job on the form and editing.
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Thank you for your review. Terry
Comment from Mary Shifman
The ending of your story came as a relief. Like Jim, I kept expecting something to go wrong. You know, with the repetitive line: "What can go wrong?" Sounds like he was a great success. I enjoyed reading it.
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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The ending of your story came as a relief. Like Jim, I kept expecting something to go wrong. You know, with the repetitive line: "What can go wrong?" Sounds like he was a great success. I enjoyed reading it.
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Aww, thank you Mary, Terry.
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You are welcome.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
What could go wrong? Anything and everything, Terry. But the
worst thing would be not even trying. Jim seemed like a man
who thought things through and would be prepared for most
anything. I liked his list of potential problems. I believed from
that list, he learned what eventually led to his success and great
profits. The lines about being pregnant added to the hominess of
your story rather than just a business example. It showed life
in and out of the business cycle.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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What could go wrong? Anything and everything, Terry. But the
worst thing would be not even trying. Jim seemed like a man
who thought things through and would be prepared for most
anything. I liked his list of potential problems. I believed from
that list, he learned what eventually led to his success and great
profits. The lines about being pregnant added to the hominess of
your story rather than just a business example. It showed life
in and out of the business cycle.
Thanks for sharing, Jan
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Jan, thank you for the wonderful insightful review! Terry.
Comment from Tpa
I enjoyed the story and the history. He was a motivator and represented the men and woman of this country in establishing their dreams of never giving up. Do you know if he is still living?
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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I enjoyed the story and the history. He was a motivator and represented the men and woman of this country in establishing their dreams of never giving up. Do you know if he is still living?
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Tpa, thank you for reading my story. It was pure fiction. I made it all up, and I did enjoy writing it. Terry.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
I found this very interesting reading. Even without the help of the bourbon, I recognized a worry wart. (I am one myself) A worry wart thinks or even cooks up scenes of all that could happen. Luckily, none of his worries materialized - yet.
Well done.
Best wishes,
Mary
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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I found this very interesting reading. Even without the help of the bourbon, I recognized a worry wart. (I am one myself) A worry wart thinks or even cooks up scenes of all that could happen. Luckily, none of his worries materialized - yet.
Well done.
Best wishes,
Mary
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Mary, thank you for reading, he will be okay! Terry.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this story with us. Jim will now have four children. LOL I can see how this business grew and he lucky it did. I enjoyed reading and didn't see any errors.
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Thank you for sharing this story with us. Jim will now have four children. LOL I can see how this business grew and he lucky it did. I enjoyed reading and didn't see any errors.
Comment Written 27-Nov-2022
reply by the author on 27-Nov-2022
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Barbara, thank you for reading and for your review. Terry.