The Vulning Pelican

I paused in editing, Christa, to thank you for backing "The Doctor of Summitville" but got caught up in your memoir and read for two hours. Your descriptions of Panama City transported me there, and your characterizations are a close match for vividness. Now I'll stop to thank you properly. I really appreciate your support, especially since "Doc," in its third year on the sight, has been stalled for weeks within sight of the Desk. I have high hopes, though, for "The Pelican," counting on your frank, fast-paced writing and poignant story to gain wide support. --Best wishes, Bill

Hi Christa,
This has been on my watchlist for ages but I don't think I ever got round to backing it or commenting. I do remember reading and thinking it was rather lovely. Still do.
Best wishes,
Lucy

Hello Christa,
What a wonderful visit to Panama through your eyes. It pales only to your spiritual connection to All There Is and the purity of your honesty to yourself and your readers. Couldn't put it down once I got started.
Nona

Im sorry it took so long to return the read. I really felt connected to the MC in the first chapter. Possibly because I have the same pile of notebooks that I scribbled in all my life, but unlike the MC I had no problem getting the words to flow once I decided to turn those ideas into stories. Your style of writing is simple which I like because those books with all the fancy descriptions give me a headache. LOL. I loved this and I will be backing this as soon as a spot on my shelf clears.
Jennie Lyne Hiott
Hearts and Lies

Hello Christa--

Book - The Vulning Pelican--

Beautiful cover, just the job for this pelican story-
The pitch itself is nicely set out and makes for an interesting read to come.

Got so wrapped up in this story of yours , i had almost forgot about the pelican, until i came to chapter 6.
for some reason chaptae 7 did not show, however i continued on from 8 to 10 and will certainly come back to read more about the pelican story sooner rather then later, it will be held on my watch list......

you paint a vivid picture of what it is like in Panama , i think that one like sums up your feelings so well--
'I'm' isolated in a beautiful tranquil place''--

This is a great story that had me turning the pages at a rapid pace, ; you create the atmosphere so very well, as in Santiago, rare to see a gringa walking around the place, ; i could feel the heat as you describe these happenings.

From chapter 6 on, it has that lightness of touch that is a joy to read., in fact i found it to be very engaging,

It will do well and i wish you luck Christa

tom bye Dublin Ireland

from hugs to kisses.

Dear Christa, this is the kind of pitch that makes me feel alive and turned on to your book. You are now on my watch list, and >i will start reading a little now.
Best of luck
leelah

I think it’s great that you’ve written about such an amazing experience in your life. You’re certainly an animal lover, that’s obvious from the very beginning. I’m actually finding it very hard to comment on this because it's clearly such a personal experience to you. I can’t say more than it’s a dear story told with a loving voice.
Janny

Hello Christa!

I entered chapter 6 a few days ago. I didn't comment anything at the time, as I felt I needed to ponder on your writing. There is a fast pace and up to the point where you settle down in Panama, I could really get to feel what your character -you yourself probably, right?- was experiencing. And you do have that intricate switch all over the book; you are sad and then find hope and then again a mishap turns it all upside down. If it is a true story, you had some interesting years, I must say.

The characters of Marco and Elena seem fully fleshed, and Abuelita gives colour to the story. Everytime she is mentioned I find myself smiling the least. I am Greek, and I could understand all this traditional way of life. You have a good grasp of it in your pages.

What I liked in the beginning and seemed to fade away as the story progresses, is the "point of view of the American". I liked you being in a shock! I just thought that as surprises emerge anytime during your years there, it would be interesting to see you react somehow. The trip for the funeral was an example where I would have expected a more assertive point of view. But if that is a true story , and you actually reacted in the way you describe, well what can I say... Kudos for your patience!

I will get back to it at some point and I will comment if I have something new to say.

All the best!
Yannis

I had to pull out of a trip to Panama in 2007 so was enticed by the pitches. Totally understand the sentiments of the first chapter, though I usually feel like this when I read the rubbish I have written. I enjoyed chapters 2 and 3. You describe the little things well. The raven like birds with long tails. Scalding water coming out of the "c" tap. A squeaky beige gecko. I thought the characterization was good. Elena sounds fun, and I liked her dialogue. Only nitpick, I didn't get the title, but perhaps I'm being a bit dense. Well-starred and on my WL for further reading. Good luck with this.

Christa,
Read all 15. Not the usual animal tale at all. I quite liked your style and your retelling of your tale as well as Pelicans.

It is still quite amazing to me in such a technology based time a simple bond with any animal touches one so deeply. I felt i got to take a small peek into your life and your adventures.

Now onto the bane of this site the nitpicks.....
not many really cleaning up and looking for typos and added extra words from typing too fast.
maybe adding more Pelican stories themselves. The bean shucking was extra vivid am sure he made you smile each and every day he was with you!
Thanks for inviting me to read this.
:)
Diane

Have added to my WL will read asap. Sue ''It's a Dogs Life''

My novel is based in Panama, so I was instantly drawn to your work. I agree with Nicole: I think you would gain something by losing the first chapter. You do a good job of capturing excitement and setting the scene upon your initial arrival in Panama whereas the first chapter feels contrived. Also, whether you keep the first chapter or not, there are a couple of typos in both the first and second chapters (e.g., "kidnapped American's"). Other sentences have extra words in them or they're missing a word. I'm sure if you go through another time you'll catch them. Your strong voice and ability to paint a scene overshadow the small errors, but it's a shame to distract your reader from the otherwise strong prose. In any event, I hope that you'll find time to check out my novel, ARALEN DREAMS, when you get the chance. I uploaded my work only this week and I'm still figuring out how it all works.

Kind regards,

Rob

Hi Christa

I love the Panamanian setting and the whole fish-out-of-water scenario, the way Marco drives differently in his home country than he does in the US is well-observed. I'd leave out the opening chapter - it feels like what you had to write to get yourself started, rather than something that needs to be in the finished book. But I would definitely read more of this, it's so fresh, compelling and exotic. Backed.

Nicole
Chosen

Christa

This is a beautifully written story. The reader shares in the wonderful imagery and the quality and richness of your writing. You have the rare ability to convey emotion and elicit empathy.

Jane.

Christa,
Coudln't resist a fellow Christa/Krista ....
Loved it! I Found it strangely intriguing since I've been having the exact same (negative) thoughts as you have in your first chapter. I haven't been real active in authonomy in quite sometime. So you're my first comment in many months. I like your style and you held my attention.
I'll toss ya on my shelf.
Good luck!
~Krista

Dear Christa
well i started to read this some time ago and have now finished my read. Great book and thank you...Yes i have commented and backed your book, however cannot find the backing so will do it again, because it is WORTH IT
if you have already backed my book thank you so much, if not would you find the time, if not that is OK also
the VERY best of luck
Denise
The Letter

Christa - find you diary style engaging - the conversation you hold internally works well. Backed. CW (To Save the Sun)

you have a wonderful way of writing. I too was in Panama and hiked through the Darien Gap. I would appreciate your comments on 'the compulsive adventurer' Thanks Mike.

A deserved backing
Helen
The Last Dream

An engrossing and thoroughly entertaining narrative that oozes heart and passion. As a native of Louisiana, and appalled by what is happening because of the BP oil blowout, I also have great concern for the brown pelican and truly hope this book gains wide acclaim.

Eric Wilder - Prairie Sunset

Very grabbing, right from the top!

Backed with pleasure.

Johanna Kern
Master and the Green-Eyed Hope

Christa Wojo:

I'm glad you decided to put pen to paper; you are clearly talented. I was always told to write about what you know--what is near and dear to your heart. What can be a better place to start than your own life? Besides, as you said, it is very therapeutic. Good luck with this. Backed.

Ida L. (Silent Storm)

Once past the italics I found I could get into the writing more and felt it worked well. The problem is at less than 30,000 words it might be difficult to place - unless maybe offered up as a possible serial in a magazine or newspaper column? It may be that there is an anthology out there looking for longer work as well.

Read and enjoyed, backed with pleasure.

Hi Christa,

An enchanting read. I notice your gripe with BP and commend your willingness to do more than just uhm and ah and how terrible. I hope your book makes it to number one and you have lots of profit to apply to rescuing the birds.

As an aside, I found the first chapter in italics a bit hard to read.

Oh yeah and I had to look up what vulning means :-)

Johno

I'm not an autobiography reader usually but I confess I was pulled into your story. Maybe it was the prologue that made me warm to it almost immediately - writing is my therapy too and I suffer the same doubts! I don't have much in the way of crit for you, I fear - but am happy to back you with this.

I could never imagine that such heart-warming prose could be written around a bird!
You have a fine eye for what makes our lives worth living.

Backed with best wishes

A.P. Constantin

The Crystal Butterfly Club

Hi Christa
This is a fine piece of writing. A beautiful story with passion and emotion. You have some sharply visual descriptive words here. I'm not sure if it would read better in the first person as a biography but I guess you must have weighed up the options here. Great stuff, best of luck.
DP Walker
Five Dares

Christina. This is a BRILLIANT peice of work. I genuinley love the way you write and the sentement.

BACKED

Brendan

This is just wonderful, well written and something to fall in love with. Best of luck with it. E.Loraine Royal Blooc Chronicles book one

The most endearing story I have read on this site. It is very well written and the character well-drawn. Best wishes

Scott

Christa, what a simply wonderful find for me on this site. I saw your tags and just had to read and I am so glad i did . I have not read it all but what I have just captivated me. I am assuming Christa is you, yet you speak third party this threw me a bit, but anyways, congrats on a well crafted book and BACKED by me.......My book is of a different genre but that is the beauty of this site, and if you could 'review' and 'comment' and BACK it, I would be so happy. Again BEST OF LUCK with your book

Denise
The Letter

I've read eleven chapters. enthralling.

Hi Christa, it is great you are using Panama as your backdrop. I found your writing fascinating and I've already arrived at chapter eight. I intend to come back and finish everything downloaded. One tiny point 'got' is slang and okay in speech but not really used outside. Used a few times but check chapter four first para.
Keith - backed

Thank you Christa for sharing this. It feels like you are writing about me! I don't live in Panama but I can definitely relate...Conformity vs Idealism, father in the power company and of course the constant arguing voices in a writers brain. I liked this a lot. Loved your writing style. I'm not an editor so I'm sorry I can't give that kind of critique but I do find it readable, relatable and charming! Backed with love and hugs to go with it lol.

The Vulning Pelican is a wonderful book that showcases the author extensive vocabulary. I love the way she twists a writers imagination into the pyroclastic encasement perserving Christa's image for future generations to understand what it is to be a writer in the twenty-first century. The way the Christa questions her ability to write and interacts with her two dogs as they sleep is the escence of what I author goes through on the journey to completing a novel. A must-read for anyone that enjoys writing.

very well written to say the least. Such ease of writing style that beckons the story to unfold - backed without hesitation.
andy and vesna
When Spirits Break Free

Christa, a captivating tale, a memoir that unfolds like a novel, with a fine storyline. the writing itself is just as fine: clean, punchy sentences.
ok, do i have any "real" feedback - any picky comments? ;)
nothing micro. however, on the macro front, i felt the book took off after the prologue. to be honest, i think the prologue could be trimmed, maybe cut by half. just one reader's feelings ...
all in all, muy bueno!
best, andy

Christa,

The first best line (for me): “To put it plainly, her psyche was fast becoming a bona fide shitstorm. Her writing had been the only way she could make sense of herself.” Exactly the purpose of a memoir. There were years and years of the excuse of, “I’m not really a writer, just an amateur hack.” How well I remember your doubt that you mentioned. Fortunately, it’s not the truth for either of us.

Second favourite sentence, second meaning that I saw it next… not that it was second in place. “Soft low mountains swelled in the distance behind the crops like sleeping dragons.”

Beautifully written, quick to the touch… backed.
SueAnn Jackson Land
The Truth About Whales

This is superbly written. My only criticism is that your pitch does not di this justice. I almost did not take a look at your book. There is nothing actually wrong with it, but it falls way short of the excellent writing in your book. Re-write it. Use your undoubted talent in it and you will get an even bigger audience - one that your work deserves. Backed with pleasure. Colin

I love your self-deprecating honesty at the beginning, but it isn't warranted, because this is great. The shortage of dialogue should make for a boring read, but strangely, it doesn't. I'm interested in the people and places and I like the enthusiasm for the story that comes through in your voice. I really enjoyed what I've read so far and I want to read on!
Backed with pleasure x

Very true to life ' she was her own worst critic' . Those words seem to apply to must of us. We wonder whether our work is really that good. Well most of us anyway. Starting to write always gives me the same shock. Words come easily and the story line infolds in our minds. I love this one because it is so true to life and you have captured the feeling so well.

Backed with the greatest of pleasure.

Colt
A Time for Living

Dear Christa Wojciechowski,

I want to move to Panama with my lovely love and live happily ever after, too -- not so simple? Hmmm. Now this is very, very interesting, as the pelican is a symbol for Christ. Backed and can't wait to read more.

GK Stritch
CBGB Was My High School

Lovely, easy writing flow and an intimacy of style that immediately draws the reader in. i like the foreign phrases which appear so naturally and add character to your story.
Backed with pleasure.
Anna (Black Damask)

Hi, Christa-

I really like the voice in this. Alot. Love the intimacy of it and its informality - feels like you are having a conversation with me.

That said, I think you could eliminate your prologue and start right up with the first chapter. All the prologue gives you is some back story that could be folded into the book somewhere. And, the voice in the prologue is different from the rest of your ms. Now, that's just my opinio, and this is all subjective. So if you agree, fabuloso. If not, no sweat. Ultimately, youre the final judge of what works for you and your ms.

I also noticed a severe lack of dialogue in the chapters I read. Granted, this is a memoir and all, but without speaking characters, it's just your telling the story. Put words in your characters' mouths and you're suddenly showing it, and adding even more personality and depth to your tale.

Last nit: I noticed a little bit of a tensing problem in your pitch, near the beginning. No biggie.

Backed, happily. You've got a trainload of potential here.

Best of luck with it.

-Jeff Lee
THE LADIES TEMPERANCE CLUB'S FAREWELL TOUR

Nice clean and simple read I like the way you have laid out your story. we can all relate to the writers dilema. When Marco comes into the story it picks up pace and meeting his mother starts to bring the reality into the story. This is well written and you have excellent imagery.

Sue Mackender
Knowing Liam Riley

Hi Christa~
I liked your pitch a great deal, as the unusual reference to the pelican made me read closely. Your opening chapter captured well the dilemma of the writer confronted by the blank screen, and the interior monologue was authentic. I expected that your second chapter would switch to a first person narrative, as your story is categorized as true life, but it does work in third person; it just surprised me. Overall, an interesting read; you left me wondering what happens next, which is just what you want. :)

Thank you for the chance to read your story, and thank you too for your support of The Long Black Veil. Backed. -- Delhui

There's a real immediacy to this. Simple language (which is what we should all be using, I feel, unless it's lit fic) interspersed with memorable phrases. eg. descended into womanhood. I also like how you add to the atmosphere with the use of easily understandable Spanish, giving us a feel for the place. In short, very readable!

Your writing style is strong from the start, and the underlying premise is evocative and tender, and this piece is told with passion and sincerity. We get a real feel for the characters, and I had no trouble connecting despite the third person narrative, rather than first person which tends to saturate the biographical field.

Backed with pleasure.
Abi xxx

Good...really good!
Backed with pleasure! Good Luck!!
A look at Sicilian Shadows would be greatly appreciated.
Frank.
If you back my work, you may also want to approach BJD (a big supporter of Sicilian Shadows) for a further read and possible backing of your book

i relate to this all too closely, even though I am a man. Kudos to your breadth of appeal, both male and female. Backed!
Christopher
PS thank you for your earlier comment. If you are so inspired, please support my book as well with a backing. THANKS