[LITFIC] 15k of a work in progress - your critique welcomed!!

Hi all,

I didn't win Nano, but I am now 20,000 words into my intended 80-100k novel, which I'm classing as a success. Part of my problem was being unable to turn off my inner editor, so at least what I have isn't quite as horrible as it could have been. It's solid first draft material.

Inevitably though I'm finding it difficult to distance myself from the words on the page, so I'd be extremely grateful for some initial feedback on the first ten chapters. Positive or negative feedback welcomed - either may have a profound influence in where things go from here...

This is LitFic with all the excitement and\or baggage that might bring, so you'll have to like the genre. More below.

Many thanks in advance,

Umlaut.

Title:
The Disasters of War.

Length, Draft and Language:
10 chapters, 15k words, 1st draft stage, English.

Brief Summary (not more than 300 words)
Terrible things happen all over the world, every day, and you do nothing. That's not a judgement, just a statement of fact. But how close to home is too close?

Ann is a mysterious university student for whom every year is her fresher year. She has seen it all before but, for some reason, this year appears to be different. Life in a 21st century British university is no longer just a bleak and banal procession of the ignorant. Now, suddenly, it's violent, unpredictable and unjust too.

When terrible things happen, when the Disasters come ever closer, how long before you act?

Sub Genre & Keywords -
Erm, university life? Most of the pretentious grand themes of the novel actually lie just outside it's reach - i.e. war, death, fear - so it's as much about what isn't there as what is. Especially in these initial chapters.

Known Issues -
I'd rather keep them to myself for now. They're certainly there, I just don't want to lead the witness.

Critique Requested -
Anything. Seriously, anything. Overall impressions are my priority, which makes it easier for you, but comments on absolutely anything will be welcomed, even typos.

Critique Tolerance -
Be brutal if you think it's justified. I don't want to waste my time writing something's that's unreadable, but I'm also self-analytical enough to keep one person's positives and negatives in perspective.

Experience & Goals -
First novel - would love to get published one day, but this is just the first month of what might be a year or two's worth of work.

Method of Communication -
Nanomail me asap if you're interested and we'll do this via email. Just an email of your thoughts would be hugely appreciated, but tracked changes welcome too if you get really involved.

Anything else?
Violence, strong language, graphic sex - yep, don't worry, all the good stuff is in there.

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