Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2009

Recently, HVC wrote:

"My reaction to the fiction you posted for review was that it was
impossible to read -- historically vapid, and compositionally dire ..."
-- HVC

"Compositionally Dire" ...?

Basically, what HVC is saying above is that my excepts are an utter
disaster with no redeeming value whatsoever.

Well, this simply isn't true, far from it. There were some few errors of
language use that have since been corrected; these were uniformly minor
things like two instances of incorrect address ("my duke"), questionable
use of the verbal "show off", and finally, the author's decision to call
Dowagar Princess Augusta, "Queen Mother" for convenience purposes.

There was nothing else. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nada.

This means the fiction fundamentals such as plot, characterization,
setting, dialogue, conflict, etc., were completely overlooked by
everyone ... except, presumably, HVC.

I say this, because it's clear that when HVC called my fiction
"compositionally dire", he could only have been talking about the
fiction fundamentals everyone else overlooked.

More the reason that I'm perfectly mystified why HVC has yet to
follow-up his indictment with specific instances of where my fiction
fundamentally fails.

In other words, my assumption is HVC is a person of integrity who
doesn't give opinions without careful contemplation.

HVC tells us he's a "Historical Architecture Writer" and if this is so
we should afford him the deference his profession warrants. But we
should also expect of him a measure of academic integrity we don't
expect of common bullshit artists like Robert Lieblich.

Then again, it may be that HVC is carefully taking his time to respond
and if this is so, let us not rush him.

Is that the reason for the hold-up, HVC?

EG

Compostion:

1.
a. The combining of distinct parts or elements to form a whole.
b. The manner in which such parts are combined or related.
c. General makeup: the changing composition of the electorate.
d. The result or product of composing; a mixture or compound.
2. Arrangement of artistic parts so as to form a unified whole.