I woke after dreaming of loan sharks in the city. How they and government programs worked hand in hand to perpetuate cycles of poverty. And then there was a clan called The Goblins, who wore dark creepy outfits and looked evil but actually performed charitable works. Brooklyn.
Speaking of dreams. The Heretic’s Daughter is a good book. A story of the early days of our colony and the witch hysteria of the late 1600’s. Well-researched and well-written. I’m learning a lot. But she exemplifies the fiction writer’s maxim: Tell a dream, lose a reader.
Every third or so chapter begins with a dream. Stop! I say. Stop! Hard eye roll, followed by skimming. They’re never integral to plot and she does a lot of other scene/mood setting so — unnecessary.
There! I said it.
How did it get published if it has these weak points???????
Oh I’m nitpicking. She also uses too many analogies. But it’s a well-told story.
Dreams only work if they are a product of the characters subconscious and not the authors AND it matters to the plot. Always a tall order. I can’t remember if I’ve done it.
You probably have.
I am now seriously reading The Weight of Cloth (underline) and slowly, because I’m savoring the way you write. I am rereading some paragraphs immediately to make sure I didn’t miss something that will be needed for future pages. Something like what I felt when I was reading Tolstoy?
Very interesting your dream, and then calling out someone who doesn’t use them properly as a writer (kudos).
Already, I can’t wait for the one about witches. You know witches. I do not, and I don’t know why I do not.
To heck to getting through the Iliad or any Proust, maybe even no more Atwood. I want live long enough that I will read your novels and see your artwork as each work becomes available.
Then, this morning, I must say this to someone (who might pat me on the head and say “that a girl”). That is: I took to digging through old paintings and drawings of my own, that I’d forgotten I’d stashed away. I want to finish each one. They are not as bad as I remember them being when I tossed them aside!
Isn’t it nice to re-evaluate old work favorably?
I hope I live long enough to write another book! And thank you for reading.
Dee~ Okay. Here you are reading about witches and I just happened upon an old Bewitched Thanksgiving episode where Aunt Clara zapped the family back to the times of witch trials. Except they thought her husband, Darren was the witch 😁 Absolutely pure silly and old awful stereotypes. The representation of Natives was so bad. That’s time I won’t get back. haha
I loved that show as a kid and wanted to be able to wiggle my nose or snap my fingers and have things go My Way!! Come to think of it, that would still be quite handy. lol
I loved it too!