Reviews from

Streets of Cincinnati

Violence in the city

49 total reviews 
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I'm so glad I live in a small town in the west. I could not live under these conditions. Las Vegas was not like that and it was a City. Your story is sad. A shame a young man has to grow up in such an environment. Now what will his little sister do when Mama doesn't come home after work? What a mess. Well done Ric. Nancy:)

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 27-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, Nancy, for taking time to read this depressing piece. It's not fun to read, but sometimes we just have to get outside our comfort zones for the cause. I can't thank you enough for the extra-special six-star review. It's so encouraging when such an outstanding writer likes my scribbles. You've made my week!
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Awesome work and so well written. Yes our writing resonates on this point and at the same time!!!!!!!!! I read this last week but had to replenish my sixes before doing a formal review.

 Comment Written 25-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 25-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, Tim, for your wonderful words of encouragement and the shiny stars accented with the chartreuse plus sign that puffs up my chest. LOL. Well, my chest doesn't puff up much at this stage in life, but it's still a feel good moment when such a talented writer takes time to read my scratchings and offers his praise. Never worry about waiting to replenish your sixes for me. Although, they are great, it's your time and kind words that I appreciate most. Thanks again, and I appreciate YOU!
Comment from Ben Colder
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The unrestful nature of humanity, as you describe, is the sign the Bible speaks of just before the coming of our Lord Jesus.
You did well with this, and it flows into the now. Well done, Ric.

 Comment Written 13-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 13-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, Ben, for your extra-special six-star review. This story is way outside my comfort zone, but it's a story that I think needs to be told. It's gotten to the point where there is no regard for human life at any age. Cold and relentless criminals that will stop at nothing to get what they want. You are so right about the second coming. I don't believe the Lord will allow things to get much worse before he steps in. I appreciate you reading this sad and depressing story, the exceptional stars, and most of all for your kindness and encouragement! I appreciate YOU!
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Now I'm really depressed! It's real, I know and should not be ignored. And somehow, we're at a stalemate about gun control. But I like how you told it from the stark contrast of the park of violence becomes a place of children playing at daylight. Then you show us a very likable teen who is the perfect big brother and then his precious life is senselessly taken away. It's an important message. Thanks for writing it.

 Comment Written 13-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 13-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much for your kind words, comments, and generous review. And for hanging in there to read this sad and depressing ride. But most of all for picking up on the stark contrasts I threw in, the rising sun, the nice boy, sweet girl, an ongoing friendship, all trapped in a world of continuous violence and out of control behavior. This is way outside my comfort zone, but a story I felt needs to be told more often until we can find some answers. Much appreciated!
Comment from Goldilocks1
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Great writing as always!! You always seem to pull the reader into the writing as if they were there to experience the ordeal! This ole world is definitely everything you have written, not just in Cincinnati but all major cities

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 13-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, Goldilocks1, for stopping by to read another of my stories. This sad and depression story is way outside my comfort zone and different from what I usually right. The violence just seems to be escalating all over and even more since the pandemic. It's time we find some answers, if there are any. I appreciate your kind words and generous review!
reply by Goldilocks1 on 13-Aug-2021
    Your welcome. But my all time favorite story is ?knock, knock who?s there?! Have a great day!
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2021
    LOL. Thank you, I'm just glad you have a favorite! And continue to spend your time reading my, mostly, foolishness. Knock Knock Who's there and Bert and Alley from my early days on the site are probably my two favorites. Could it be "great minds think alike?" I appreciate YOU!
reply by Goldilocks1 on 15-Aug-2021
    Well of course always ?great minds think alike?! I am certain of that lol!
Comment from NANCY V. FORREST
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Yes, you eloquently describe a too often played out scene, too often with the innocent the poster children for change that are ignored. It is true to life and real in so many areas. And such a tragedy.

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, Nancy, for your kind words and generous review. This sad and depressing story is way outside my comfort zone, but with the pandemic these problems have soared. Even innocent children caught in the crossfire of those with no regard for human life at any age. I appreciate you taking time to read my story, and most of all for your understanding and obviously caring for those trapped in the madness. Much appreciated!
reply by NANCY V. FORREST on 13-Aug-2021
    You are welcome. They are deserved.
Comment from Rdfrdmom2
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

RIC:

It's hard to find any sense in a story like this, isn't it? Even the saying, "only the good die young," chokes one if they try to use it as some source of consolation. Who will take care of Laila now? Not her young mother who apparently cannot control her own vices. And, yes, it happens everywhere.

jan

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, Jan, for your extra-special six-star review. This sad and depressing story is way outside my comfort zone, but I couldn't help telling it with all the foolish killings that have escalated since the pandemic. It's always been bad, but these days they murder innocent children in the crossfire without any regard. I don't know what happens to the Laila's of the world, I guess they raise themselves and turn out like the others trapped in the madness. But it's time something is done to fix the problem. Although, I don't have any better ideas than those making promises and doing nothing. It starts with parents, and the children's teachings from early on. But these days, so few have only one parent, or are raised by grandparents or someone else, and all unreachable. I can't thank you enough for your outstanding and encouraging review. But most of all, I appreciate YOU and your kindness! Ric
Comment from nomi338
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Your well written and well constructed piece on the all too real occurrence of daily violence in our cities is heart breaking to say the least. While it is clear that something must be done. The question is what, how, when and by whom. Good luck on finding a workable answer.

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
    Hello, Nomi338,
    This story is way outside my comfort zone. It's sad and depressing. But it's a story that needs to be told, because even with the regular Chicago shootings, like the two police officers last weekend. I'm not sure the general public realizes that since the pandemic the violence has escalated into our own backyards all-over America and the world. And not like when I grew up in those areas, these days there is no regard for human life at any age. Like the 5, 7, 10, and 14 year-olds killed recently around here. As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child," and it's time for our villages to get busy and find some answers. Thank you for another of your wonderful reviews and caring comments. Your encouragement and kindness are a great motivator to keep me stepping outside my comfort zone. I appreciate YOU! Thanks, again. Ric
Comment from roof35
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You have certainly captured the horror faced so many times today. This is outstanding writing. I noted you often did not use full sentences but it worked in this story. I did appreciate your word meanings as there were some I didn't know. I did note a typo: It think it should be "an" overload. You should write crime novels.

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, Roof35, for another of your fantastic reviews that always pick me up and make my week. I have a tendency to prefer short choppy sentences over long, rambling ones. But I do try and add a touch of eloquence here and there just to change the pace and let readers catch their breath, like the sentence describing the rising sun. Then, smack the reader upside the head with another annoying wet-mop sensation of staccato sentences and fragments. I hope it feels almost like getting jobbed with a stick . . . sort of maddening, but without real pain. LOL. Only one type-O, never believe it. I write really fast, trying not to give myself a chance to think too much and alter the mood. And I don't like to edit a bunch or polish, feeling that it destroys the honesty of the writing. I have tons of errors, but thinks to readers like you, they help me make it readable. LOL. I can't thank you enough for your kindness, encouraging comments, and all those shiny stars! But most of all, I appreciate YOU, reading my posts, and sharing your posts that always change my moods to happy and put a smile on my face! Sorry for the novella.
Comment from tfawcus
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You have a great facility for bringing a scene to life with a few strokes of the pen. The staccato stutter of your short sentences and sentence fragments intensifies the atmosphere. Laila's innocence makes a great contrast to the senseless killing. Powerful writing.

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2021


reply by the author on 12-Aug-2021
    Thank you so much, TFawcus, for your kind words and generous review. It's nice and refreshing that you appreciated my intentional staccato sentences and fragments for effect. I usually get bashed for them. LOL. And the huge contrast (also intentional) when painting Laila, and when I threw in the rising sun description as a sort of bait and switch to soften and let readers catch their breath for a line. But most of all, I'm just excited and honored when such talented writers as you take time to read my stories and bless me with kindness and encouragement. I appreciate YOU!