I know you're going to be like "I can't use that!!!!" but WHAT BOYS LEARN is legit sparking envy. I think it's how quickly I feel connected to and interested in the narrator. There's a lot more about the book that I love (including how naturally the plot is flowing and tension is building), but I think my connection to the narrator is the part that's sparking envy: you've made it look effortless!
Envy . . . I envy writers who can deftly execute plot twists. Whenver I try that I feel like I'm in a giant old station wagon trying to do a three-point turn. For sheer sentence beauty: Shirley Hazzard. But in terms of thrillers ... well, is Ministry of Time a thriller? It's one hell of a plot twist, and so clever; Tana French, of course (but that's like saying I envy Simone Biles: ridiculous).I've been learning (trying to learn) to let envy be a driver, not a paralytic. Easy to say. . .
As a writer, I can't be envious of great writing because I know what great writers have to give. Most of those I admire greatly had tough lives and died prematurely, in struggle. Chekhov, Zora Neale Hurston, Franz Fanon, Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, Phillis Wheatley, Oscar Wilde.
I wish I’d written WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME by Gillian McCallister because of the unique structure and the perfectly executed twist. I also wish I could write character descriptions like Maggie Shipstead. I don’t think anyone does it quite as masterfully and uniquely as her. I wish I could evoke pure dread (or any emotion) as acutely as Tracy Sierra did for me in NIGHTWATCHING.
Hope this helps. I could talk about this topic for dayyyys!
I loved Sorrow & Bliss by Meg Mason. The way she was able to intertwine humor with sadness blew me away. The characters felt so real and the relationship between Martha and her sister Ingrid has stayed with me for years. Looking forward to reading everyone's responses!
Omg NOTES ON AN EXECUTION by Danya Kukafka is my immediate response. It is a page turner and fresh, but the prose is magical, andthe scenes took my breath away.
I know you're going to be like "I can't use that!!!!" but WHAT BOYS LEARN is legit sparking envy. I think it's how quickly I feel connected to and interested in the narrator. There's a lot more about the book that I love (including how naturally the plot is flowing and tension is building), but I think my connection to the narrator is the part that's sparking envy: you've made it look effortless!
very strong second on that legit envy of this book
Well you were one of the beta readers who made it better!❤️❤️❤️
YOU ARE TOO KIND. And I can't wait for you to read the rest!
Envy . . . I envy writers who can deftly execute plot twists. Whenver I try that I feel like I'm in a giant old station wagon trying to do a three-point turn. For sheer sentence beauty: Shirley Hazzard. But in terms of thrillers ... well, is Ministry of Time a thriller? It's one hell of a plot twist, and so clever; Tana French, of course (but that's like saying I envy Simone Biles: ridiculous).I've been learning (trying to learn) to let envy be a driver, not a paralytic. Easy to say. . .
Love all that!
As a writer, I can't be envious of great writing because I know what great writers have to give. Most of those I admire greatly had tough lives and died prematurely, in struggle. Chekhov, Zora Neale Hurston, Franz Fanon, Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, Phillis Wheatley, Oscar Wilde.
I wish I’d written WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME by Gillian McCallister because of the unique structure and the perfectly executed twist. I also wish I could write character descriptions like Maggie Shipstead. I don’t think anyone does it quite as masterfully and uniquely as her. I wish I could evoke pure dread (or any emotion) as acutely as Tracy Sierra did for me in NIGHTWATCHING.
Hope this helps. I could talk about this topic for dayyyys!
This is awesome and I love the specificity. (Also: I could easily read WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME again.)
Me too. I wish I could read it again for the first time!
I loved Sorrow & Bliss by Meg Mason. The way she was able to intertwine humor with sadness blew me away. The characters felt so real and the relationship between Martha and her sister Ingrid has stayed with me for years. Looking forward to reading everyone's responses!
That's a strong rec and thanks for the specificity! You've added a new book to my TBR! I love nothing more than a book that can make me laugh AND cry.
Omg NOTES ON AN EXECUTION by Danya Kukafka is my immediate response. It is a page turner and fresh, but the prose is magical, andthe scenes took my breath away.
I'd love to hear if there is a specific aspect of the writing or story. Feel free to comment more or hit reply, Laura--if you find time!