by katomorakwarrior » Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:50 am
So, Ari is, uh, overly confident I noticed. 'Cause she really does need training.
Aside from that, W.oH.o... etc does a very good job of asking some of the questions I had.
But I do have some critiques; I hope you don't mind. It depends on your purpose for the story. If you're thinking professionally, I'd try to slow it down a bit and explain a little more as you go.
Stories don't start directly with the excitement; they start with the compulsion -- the forces behind whatever actions take place. Who is Ari? Who is Ryan?
Now, Ryan's just the 'boy-that's-got-to-be-there-cause-we-all-love-him' type character so if you're considering editing at any point, you don't necessarily have to have a chapter about him. But, if you really want to make this better, I'd seriously recommend giving Ari room to breath. I don't know her. Before someone gets kidnapped, I like to know them.
Is she a teenager? Is she married? Is she an old hag? I mean, the vast majority of readers will assume she's a teenager or young woman, but those sort of things should be explained inconspicuously by the author, not assumed by the reader.
You can spend time with her soon. I mean, you have a few chapters for her to recall her past life or something on that order if you don't feel like editing what you've got. That would nearly do the same thing.
Also, she has close connections with the commander. Why? Some background on her relationship with different people would be nice.
And the commander. Is a Commander or is he a Captain? Or is there some reason why he's called both?
Some of the information you should explain sort of need their own chapter to reduce confusion.
Other than that, you have a plot line that could be guided into directions that hold interest. Keep going and good luck.