Climb

[Psycho Ann]

I started this short while waiting for my transfer flight in Hong Kong and stopped on page 3 or 4. The idea itself was inspired by this sketch (link) I did sometime ago and I briefly considered drawing it out as a full comic--but then again, I have enough projects on my hand as it was.

Yadayadayada time passes and I get the option of doing an original short story for my english class. After trashing a written episode from Paladin (way too much to explain) I dug out Climb and quickly did the story's rough draft. The final draft is due in another few weeks but I'm confident that even the final draft will leave people confused XD

Anyway, just wanna share this rather confusing story and beware of minimal language (one instance of c***).

[Mave]

*sneaks into the writing section*

wow!!! Way to go Ann!!!! XD I'm so proud of you!

I liked your story....it's very heart touching, that's the way I like it!

Nice flow, character development, presentation, good vocab,....

The only thing I didn't really get was the visualization of the platforms at each stage...But it's probably the failure of my imagination.

*applause*

[true_noir_chloe]

I printed out a copy to read. I hope you don't mind. After I read it I'll throw it away, which is what I usually do, so that no one would get the idea that I stole their writing. But, I don't always have time to read on the computer, plus it bothers my eyes. Now, I can sit at my leisure and read it with my reading glasses. *hehe*

I will definitely get back with you. From what I see so far, it has a great first two paragraphs. ^_^ If you write as well as you draw, then I'm sure I'll be impressed.

[uc pseudonym]

It is a shame that such a limited number of people responded to this thread. I would have earlier, but first had to read it carefully, a task which took some time. Not due to the length of your story, but my lack of serious time.

I liked it quite a bit. Particularly the beginning and the ending, though I'm not sure exactly why they touched me. In a more speculative mood (I'm ignoring several other issues by force of will at the moment) I would find this much better.

At the moment I'm struggling for feedback that would be particuarly meaningful, but I can't find any. I'll post if I do think of some. Until then, go with God.

[wiggins]

Nice story! Could you maybe clarify the splinter analogies just so I am cear on what it means?

[true_noir_chloe]

Ann, you had me at the first two paragraphs. ^_^ What movie is that from? *haha*

That was really good. I was impressed by how you worked the whole story out in the end. It was really good. ^_^ Thanks for sharing that with us.

[martinloyola]

That was a nice metaphorical approach,
though I do agree, the platforms and ladders need a little more, description

[Psycho Ann]

Thanks everyone! Ah, the platform metaphor needs more eh? I'll see to that in the final draft ^^ (I was aiming for dreamy confusion.... but I guess I ended up with only the confusion part XD)

And I really would rather let it be open to intrepretation, but I guess it won't hurt to explain the splinter analogy. The splinters are basicly sin. You live: you build. You build: you'll get splinters. Basically, no one can be free from sin in their lives, especially the small ones.

That's why the more 'splinters' one get it's harder to hold on to the Golden ladder which symbolizes the Christian walk.

[uc pseudonym]

Well, I didn't find myself confused in any way. I think the lack of description did something for the metaphorical aspect, but all in all I believe I might prefer to have more description.

As for the splinters analogy... mine was actually slightly different, but I don't want to quibble about that. Shouldn't there be a way to get rid of splinters at the end? Sin is painful and can never go completely away, but that doesn't mean that through Christ you can't get past it. It would seem to me that when a person recieves final grace the splinters would start hurting less and less. But this is basically me just rambling.

[Psycho Ann]

Ah, thanks for reminding me to clarify the splinter part too. The splinters themselves are no longer 'dangerous' but they do make it harder to climb. Like for someone who had problems with lust, violence, etc, it would be harder for them in the walk and it might take longer to repent, but still God's grace is already on them.

Being able to see the Golden ladder is believing in His grace or at least knowing it. Hold on to it is accepting it and climbing would be repenting. I do believe repentenance is major in getting saved since a person could just as well 'believe' His sacrifice without doing anything else and it wouldn't mean a thing.

Same goes with people accepting Christ on their death beds, they regret and repent eventhough they won't be alive to show this later on, but He knows ^^