Category Archives: Writers

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)”

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 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)”

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”

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”

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 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)”

In realistic fiction, we don’t actually imagine the woman slithering on her belly, but Hannah’s quick description immediately describes the kind of character we’re facing. I love those descriptive lines. “The woman moved like a viper in the reeds.” Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale It’s early in the year, but I think The Nightingale will beContinue reading ““…like a viper in the reeds” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”

This passage sets the stage for a wild and imaginative ride through a small town called Zephyr, Alabama in the 1960s. 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 was published in 1991. Robert McCammon weaves mystery,Continue reading ““We start out knowing magic…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (1)”

I had to dig up some more quotes from the Nightingale. It was full of great ones. Here Hannah describes an enormous crowd moving gradually and without clear direction . . . but still staying together. A neat description that is also filled with foreboding. It’s early in the year, but I think The NightingaleContinue reading ““a thousand-legged centipede…” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”

Dakota Moore is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship, and each new person she meets brings a new adventure–and some are more dangerous than others. Immediately behind Sophia, Makayla and Teagan leaned out, one to the left and one to the right, like some three-headed monster from Greek mythology. One head was snarling,Continue reading “Meet the Triumverate, from Suddenly Rural Girl”

Suddenly Rural Girl’s protagonist is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship after her father dies and her family moves to a new town–and this neighbor boy is both intriguing and repulsive. Jackson stepped out like a shadow. He was as dirty and di-sheveled as ever, standing silently with his palms up helplessly, butContinue reading “Meet Jackson Redrickson, from Suddenly Rural Girl”