Reviews from

Billy and Tubby (Part-2)

Trick-or-Treat Night

29 total reviews 
Comment from Esther Brown
Excellent
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Go Billy! I liked the whole story but realized quickly you were talking a language only street kids must know. Glad you explained as you went. There was one sentence where I got a bit lost, copied here: Set and ready to execute the maneuver practiced many times. Does it need a comma after execute? Thanks. Esther

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Esther, for your kind words and generous review. Some liked that I explained the hardest slang, but others thought it distracted from the story. Either way, I just appreciate you and them for reading it and hope it entertained you for a minute. The sentence "Set and ready to execute the maneuver practiced many times" was written as I'd intended. It doesn't need a comma, but is not a complete sentence, just a fragment, which I use often. It would have been easier to understand had I tied it to the previous sentence. And thanks to you, that's what I should, and will, do for clarity. I appreciate YOU!
reply by Esther Brown on 05-Nov-2024
    I write in fragments also which I have been told is a "style" and works for me. I need to get brave and try something other than true life for fun.
reply by the author on 05-Nov-2024
    I enjoy your writing very much and I fascinated about your experiences. And I think you'd make a great fiction writer too. Many have been writers all their lives, but a lot of them haven't lived enough life to make it interesting. You've had such an eventful life that could only make for fantastic stories. People get on me a lot for all my fragments. Part of them are because I don't know better, and other times, I like the short and to the point punch they give. I look forward to your coming fiction. :-)
reply by Esther Brown on 05-Nov-2024
    Thanks Ric
Comment from Debi Pick Marquette
Excellent
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Hi Ric, ok, for some reason my eyes are full of tears and I can't seem to stop the emotional water works from your fantastic ending long enough to write this.

I will tell you that this was one amazing story. It was wonderfully descriptive and there was never a moment that I wasn't right on the edge of my seat and worried about what was to come. I liked all of the characters. Even the stoned one at the jail.

The setting of this reminds me of a Little Rascals Our Gang show, and yes the Stooges too. Which would take these characters even before yours and my time. It would be more that of our parents days or earlier, yet I was known to pull some doozies as a child with my three brothers. When we were out catching frogs and snakes for fishing our parents never knew where we were.

However, the catching of snakes was more to see if I would really touch one. Now my husband and my family it comes to 14 people. (In-laws and grandkids) But I am the only one who will pick up a snake. Now I tease them with it.

I loved Billy and Tubby too, but I actually found my self with more empathy for Billy than I did for Tubby. Billy came from a rough home-life and he deserved better than that as a child or teen. But Tubby had over-protective parents, but at least they loved him.

This was awesome and I am sorry it ended after 2 chapters. Thanks so much Ric for great Halloween entertainment. Love, Deb

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Debi, for your kind words and generous review. And for detailed and encouraging comments that let me know the underlying themes were shining through. Billy and Tubby are very different boys with opposite upbringings, but it doesn't keep either from being good people. And then there is Tubby's mother, who had lots to learn about people and life. I shared a line to two people and I'm sending it to you too: Yes, we never know who we can learn from; and hopefully, Tubby's mother will fill her judgmental, unsympathetic blind eyes with knowledge and empathy for others. I appreciate YOU!
reply by Debi Pick Marquette on 04-Nov-2024
    Oh yes, so often the uppity are the ones who are looking down on others but they almost ruined their boy by shielding him from his friends. I do pay attention to detail or I can claim to get everything out of it. You wouldn't believe how often I don't know how someone could possibly have ready my piece. But I hope you continue to write about these boys,, as it would be nice to see the parents of Tubby learn more about caring about his needs and not their own. Once again, awesome story and I will keep watching for them.
Comment from Teri7
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Ric, This is a very well written chapter 2 about Billy and Tubby. You used great descriptive words and great imagery. Looking forward to chapter 3 my friend. Blessings, Teri

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Teri, for your extra special six-star review and kind words. You've touched my heart with your words on many occasions over the years, and I hope this story entertained and touched yours for a minute or two. I missed getting this posted by Halloween, so I've had to cut many parts of it short, and ended it with only two chapter. Much appreciated!
reply by Teri7 on 05-Nov-2024
    Thank you Rick. I really enjoyed reading about Billy and Tubby. I hope to read more of your great work! Blessings, Teri
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
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Hey Ric.
You did a great job filling in and finishing the story. The conclusion of the story was heartfelt without being overly sentimental. It can be challenging at times, especially when the conversation involves two boys. The escapades that Billy and Tubby encountered were exclusive to two boys who simply craved fun. The language and expressions used in the conversation were easily understood by any male who has been on this planet for over 10 days. Billy's escape was clever in the interface with the unusual inmate, helped it all make sense. Billy is Tubby's best friend, without question. Great job. I truly enjoyed reading this.
ZIM

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    I figured if anyone would get it, you would. It's hard to try to keep a story short when it's peppered with themes, and the more I write, the more comes to mind. But with Halloween already over, I just had to cut a bunch and move on. LOL. I hope most got the jest of it, and the few like you were entertained. I've sent three people a copy of a line I sent to one reviewer and it said: Yes, we never know who we can learn from; and hopefully, Tubby's mother will fill her judgmental, unsympathetic blind eyes with knowledge and empathy for others. Thank you so much, Zim! I appreciate YOU!
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 04-Nov-2024
    Hey Ric.
    At times, it's tough to keep your mind on track and avoid exploring every idea in a story that already has a theme. That requires lots of discipline. Thank you for your kind words about me; I really appreciate it. I appreciate you TOO.

    ZIM
Comment from Tim Margetts
Excellent
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I am enjoying the tales of Billy and Tubby and although fright night is now over, I really hope there is more to come.
My only comment is that I didn't feel all the bracketed explanations of vernacular phrases was necessary and spoiled the flow as I was reading. Maybe use an asterisk and put explanations below in the Authors notes.

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Tim, for you kind words, generous review, and comments. I was worried the phrases might be distracting, but took the chance they would be explanations readers wouldn't have to go looking to find. Thanks for pointing out what I already feared and I'll find an alternative and get them changed. I greatly appreciate your time, suggestions, and encouragement!
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
Excellent
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I am pretty bummed to be out of 6's already :-( I loved this story and the ending was perfect with a lesson I think we can all learn from. The best friends will make sure you are living the life you were meant to live. Please keep up with the writing. It was missed.

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Marilyn, for your kind words and generous review. I knew there wouldn't be many stars still around, but since Halloween is over, I figured sooner than later was better. LOL. Mostly, I just hope it entertained those of you I enjoy reading daily. I appreciate YOU!
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
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Oh Ric, I have goosebumps on top of goosebumps! I am hoping there is another part, bringing the two boys together, and perhaps the parents taking Billy in and keeping him. You can't leave it like that, I won't allow you!!!!!!!! I love both boys, and want to see them together. Of course Tubby had a brilliant time, and I'm so pleased he stood up for his best friend. His parents must see that their son's life is hell as it is. This really has gotten to me, Ric. I loved it! More please!!!!! Love you lots, my friend, you have written an incredible story here. Love and hugs, Sandra xxxx

 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Sandra, for your kind words and wonderful review. I'm just glad I could entertain you a little, like you do me regularly. I just wanted people to think about a different side to Halloween. But I almost missed it altogether. LOL. You're a sweetheart who I appreciate always! Love and hugs back at you!
reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 04-Nov-2024
    I didn't see a... "Yes, Sandra, I'm going to write that happy ever after, chapter!!!! 😂🥰🥰🥰
reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    LOL Maybe for Halloween next year. Hugs and a peck on the forehead!
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
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AMEN!!!!!! I am glad Tubby stood up for Billy and I hope Billy returns or at least Tubby's parents allow him to reach out to Billy. I really like this story. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Barbara, for your kind words, generous review, and hanging in there with my story. I'm just glad it could entertain you for a minute. Much appreciated!
Comment from Begin Again
Excellent
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Give'em what's for, Tubby! There's no sense to be living on this place called Earth if we aren't actually going to do some living. sitting all safe and sound in one spot for your entire life isn't living. You have to take chances so the adrenaline can flow.... not deadly chances .... just good ones.
Smiles, Carol

Wish I had another six because it deserves it!

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 Comment Written 04-Nov-2024


reply by the author on 04-Nov-2024
    Thank you so much, Carol, for your kind words and generous review. I'm always anxious to read what you have to say. I knew there wouldn't be many, if any, sixes left out there to get from anyone. But my dilemma was, Halloween is over, and I couldn't wait another week to post it. Sixes aren't what's important to me, it's that I can entertain you for a minute, like you do me all the time. I appreciate YOU always!