The answer, “Ourselves” captures the hopelessness of Parable of the Sower. So many operate with out faith–perhaps a reason why fear crippled so many people (and was allowed to cripple the economy) when Covid spread and media and politicians fed the flames. If all you can pray to is yourself, what hope do you haveContinue reading ““What do you pray to?” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler”
Category Archives: Fiction
“…eyebrows were as thick as caterpillars…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (9)
You’ve seen these eyebrows. The line immediately returns you to that oddity, that uniqueness. Coupled with a face hammered on by garden tools, this is a face to remember, and probably to stay away from. It’s another great description. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024Continue reading ““…eyebrows were as thick as caterpillars…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (9)”
Curse a blue streak or offer an “explosion of vowels and consonants”? from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (7)
Some characters are prone to swearing, but readers don’t need to see another F-Bomb. What is a clever way of describing it without using overly used phrases . . . or just using uncreative profanity in your writing? McCammon does it here by playing scrabble and exploding in vowels and consonants, an ingenious, and classy,Continue reading “Curse a blue streak or offer an “explosion of vowels and consonants”? from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (7)”
“… as small as a comma” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
Authors often use literary references in their writing. This one was particularly impressive. War. A fiery explosion. A distant parachute. And the most significant thing . . . was a tiny, suspended, comma. Our protagonist was determined to risk her life, just to save that little thing. It’s early in the year, but I thinkContinue reading ““… as small as a comma” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”
“Soft foods.” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
Soups and puddings illicit often thoughts of comfort foods. The addition of “soft foods” takes this in an entirely new direction. Suddenly we’re thinking those that can’t chew. Again, Hannah teases us with a feeling we know and enjoy . . . and then she spins it, so we have lost something. It’s early inContinue reading ““Soft foods.” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”
“Ichabod Crane…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (5)
Can you use characters from one story to describe a character in your own? I think so, if you anticipate that most of your audience can use your reference to infer those characteristics. For me, who was terrified by the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, it worked beautifully. It’s early in the year, but Boys LifeContinue reading ““Ichabod Crane…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (5)”
“Dad looked old” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler
Death and destruction dominate Parable of the Sower. I didn’t love the read, but there are always a few lines that jog a memory. Discovering that our parents are old for the first time is, for many, memorable experience. Butler captured that moment here and well. Parable of the Sower is one of the moreContinue reading ““Dad looked old” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler”
“…as if she’d run out of trust.” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (4)
As long as there are novels, there will be antagonists. A challenge is uncovering why the character has become mean, vindictive, or just or just downright evil. This short sentence gives tremendous insight…while letting the reader’s imagination run wild. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024Continue reading ““…as if she’d run out of trust.” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (4)”
“As weak as meatless broth…” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
Hannah’s description of dawn, often used to signify optimism or a bright new day, sets the scene well. The comparison of sunrise to meatless broth also reinforces howthe meals have been for these characters. Another great simile. It’s early in the year, but I think The Nightingale will be one of my favorite 2024 reads.Continue reading ““As weak as meatless broth…” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”
“as sweet and bitter as…” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
Another one from the Nightingale: Unlike burned popcorn, there is still something sweet and savory about burned caramel. It’s both delicious and damaged. It makes you wonder if Isabelle was conflicted. Did she truly think it was terrible . . . or was there still something she enjoyed about the situation? It’s early in theContinue reading ““as sweet and bitter as…” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”
“Fork in an electric socket…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (3)
Describing feelings is a challenge. How can you capture surprise or fear or shock without writing “I was shocked!” This short description is great. We’ve all been zapped. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024 reads–I’m surprised I hadn’t come across it before, as it wasContinue reading ““Fork in an electric socket…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (3)”
“The park was named for Clifford…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (2)
The teenage boy in me chuckled at this one. Gotta love the dads and authors who aren’t afraid to make a bodily function joke from time to time. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024 reads–I’m surprised I hadn’t come across it before, as it wasContinue reading ““The park was named for Clifford…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (2)”