Prologue

            I've heard a lot of people say that doing things naturally is best, but it really makes me wonder what they mean. Nothing about what we as humans do anymore is all that natural. The way we survive, the way we work, the way we spend our time is completely different from how we would without our technology. Is it all relative, then? Is it right to say that some new invention, some new experimental treatment is unnatural when everything we do is absurdly out of the ordinary?

Don't get me wrong, I feel like there is some degree of balance that is appropriate. There are plenty of people who became so caught up in their brilliant schemes that they simply went overboard with their attempts to "improve" human life. More natural does seem to work well in many cases, I agree, but how we live certainly can't be considered natural by any means. I don't personally see anything wrong with it. I love seeing new inventions, new scientific developments, new improvements to modern medicine. The continuous expanse of the collective knowledge we have cultivated about ourselves, about the world around us... it makes me feel hopeful for our future. It makes me feel like we would be able to overcome any obstacle we might face.

So what is this feeling, then? This unshakable nagging in the back of my mind that something isn't right...?

Reviews

[Takeshi Yamada]

FoxgloveLove, an interesting hook you've written here. I'll be bookmarking this to continue on to Chapter 1 and see what kind of story this turns out to be.

Some initial impressions that are totally random and likely way off:
1) I get a slight Taoist/Zen Buddhist vibe from this. In the "doing things naturally", it reminds me of the "Doing - Not Doing" concept in Zen/Taoism.
2) "I love seeing new inventions, new scientific developments, new improvements to modern medicine." This sentiment struck a powerful chord with me. I am much the same. Interesting to hear how this pans out for the narrator.

[W. R. Croatt]

I love how you made it clear right away that this would be a philosophical work. It catches the analytical mind's attention instantly. When you write to a thinker like myself, not only with a learner's mind, but a critical learner's mind, the reader will no doubt find that he enjoys the book tenfold, as he from the get-go knows exactly what the author intends to write about. He doesn't have to find it. He just takes it in. I like that approach in comparison to how someone like Orson Scott Card, probably my favorite science fiction/fantasy author, carried this out sometimes.

The only thing that I want to suggest is that you add a sentence or two in second person. If you suddenly connect this prologue to the reader in such a personal way as second person achieves, then you have him hooked, likely even if he is not the sort of "thinker" I described.

Also, how did you manage to get the "next chapter" button at the bottom right-hand corner? I could really benefit from that. I've got a play I asked you to consider reviewing, and it would really help to be able to connect the excerpts that I add in as I go in this manner.

[FoxgloveLove]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. The prologue (as well as the epilogue, if you read that far) I decided to do in a slightly different way compared to the rest of the story, which will be resolved once you reach the epilogue. I thought it would serve to set the mood for the story and, as you said, let the reader know that there will be elements of both mystery and philosophy throughout the story. I think if I said any more I'd be spoiling the story, so I'll just let you read and judge it for how you see it. It is a story of mystery, so all I can really suggest is to read to the end and see if you liked it as a whole.

I'm not sure whether this will answer your question or not, but I just made the work as a book and then added chapters to the book individually, which you can do if you go to the writing tab and then the sub-tab "Manage Writing." There, you can add chapters to your book, edit the book or individual chapters, or arrange them in the order you want. Hope that helps!

[W. R. Croatt]

Cool. That's exactly what I needed. Thanks!

[Lydia J]

So far I am really enjoying this. I was moderately interested at first but with that "twist" I guess you would call it, I'm definitely interested. I'll keep reading and I hope you keep writing.

[richieb]

Interesting start to your story. Good philosophical questions to earn the readers attention. I will continue to read.

[Kuro]

Well done, I am turning the page.