Tag Archives: Fiction

A coming of age novel often incorporates maturing realizations. In this one, our protagonist realizes that he and his home could both be blown or swept away–a shocking revelation for a kid. 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 itContinue reading ““…as frail as young trees…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (11)”

This character is a quirky as they come, and he’s allowed to participate in the community–even when he stands to give a speech without a stitch of clothing on. Hilarious…and while he’s an odd duck, he ends up being a good guy. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one ofContinue reading ““Vernon Thaxter” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (10)”

There are lots of ways to deny the existence God. In this novel, Butler’s protagonist tries to convince those around her that God doesn’t exist, and their best option for survival is to impact or shape the one thing she sees as all powerful, “Change.” The antagonists in the story are, ironically, worshiping the sameContinue reading ““Shape God” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler”

As a reader, do you enjoy newly invented words? As an author, do you invent words? Squenched is a fun one. Apparently it comes from quenched, but means extinguished. Here, McCammon hits at it meaning squished. Wrenched. Crammed. Pinched. And many more. A group “squenched in” to a car was a fun choice. It’s earlyContinue reading ““Squenched” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (8)”

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”

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)”

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)”

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”

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”

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)”