Comments on: The Island for Poi: a short story by Lora

By: Lora

Lora — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:44:06 +0000

Thanks for the assessment. I don’t really know why I chose the POV I did, except that that was the way the story wrote itself.
The original version was pretty close to this one; I wrote it straight out one morning as a response to a writing assignment. It was one of those stories that leaps fully formed from the head.

By: Th.

Th. — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:33:59 +0000

I’m curious how it would appear from her perspective.

I appreciated the outside pov, however, and the distance. It makes it feel more of its type, although the pov chararter being a sibling of the protag keeps it grounded in reality.

So in brief: I liked the perspective.

By: Lora

Lora — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:23:54 +0000

The kids liked it a lot. They appreciate folk stories and more. My younger one made the comment that The Island For Poi should be published. That’s pretty good to hear from an avid reader.
Both kids knew about Easter Island before they heard the story. They agree that they associate it with Easter Island now. I don’t usually write for them (though I’ve always wanted to), and I’m happy to provide something that we can share together.
The Momma character is clearly a strong personage in the story. Perhaps at some point I might rewrite the story from her perspective.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:16:44 +0000

I get a kick out of this story every time I read it.

In your e-mail, you said you read it to your kids. Did they find the story satisfying?

With stories like this, I consider the “kid test” the ultimate touchstone for the story’s success qua story.

Also, did you show them pictures of the statues on Easter Island? Is this story now attached in their minds to that island?

Also, clearly, and despite the Son narrator, a Momma wrote this story. Though for the kind of moral tale it is, the Son stuff comes off well, too.