Chapter 14
Weather: Again beginning the chapter with weather. In a climate with four seasons, it's an easy way to tell time passing. Nature isn't sentient, so any description of it reflects the observer. How is the main character/s feeling? That can be shown with a description of the weather.
Wishes: Here Miri doesn't know what she would wish for. If you had a wish, would you know how to best use it? I don't know if I would. I'd have to keep it if I could and wait until I was really sure about something.
Pg 161: "The world had never felt so wide, a great gaping mouth that could swallow all of them whole." I remember times when I realized just how big the world was, how many people, how little I mattered, and how scary that felt. "It made Miri wish she could bite back." Ah, there's the gumption in that girl!
Disappearing scenes: Sometimes as I read, I'm remembering what isn't there as well as what is. I trim as much as I can from every draft, but what I cut from the last drafts lingers in my mind after so many readings. I see the ghost scenes between scenes. So the book I read isn't the same as the book everyone else reads.
Quiet stone, pg 165: This phrase and what it means came from my quarrying research. I love the idea of it.
Pg 169: "Or maybe you just avoid talking about Jans." This line makes me laugh. Yes, sometimes I laugh at my own writing (embarrassing) but I feel like I'm laughing at something Miri said.
Pg 177: Something resolves, though not the way Miri had wished. Though perhaps better than she would have hoped? I'm glad there aren't real magic wishes. I think we'd mess things up royally. Better to trust in life's surprising resolutions.
Going to have to get to your questions tomorrow. Also, look what I got in the mail yesterday!
I loved this chapter, it made me cry. All her feelings of being useless and unimportant come to a head. Love Doter. To learn to feel value just for being and to know how much you ate really loved. "You are your mother come alive again." I just really loved the whole thing and Britta confronting her on her feelings for Peder. Is just perfect for the exact middle of the book.
Posted by: Amanda | July 19, 2012 at 09:20 AM
Ooooooh, why do you tease us so, Shannon? Why? I want to hold that gorgeous book in my hands and devour its story, but I can't yet...
I also love how in this chapter, after the trading, Miri takes Britta out and tells her all the stories of the village to make her feel more at home. It's so sweet and kind. Such a true friend.
Posted by: Alison | July 19, 2012 at 10:42 AM
I don't think I'd know how best to use a wish. It would be hard to figure out what is just right. What I need.
Posted by: Heather | July 19, 2012 at 05:24 PM
I was browsing your website and you mention in a couple of places that there are other professions you can do from home besides writing, i.e. home-based work which has a steadier income. I'm not particularly money-orientated (and I LOVE writing!) but could you explain what these other professions are? The only other one I can think of is web or graphic design. Thanks!
Posted by: Rebekah | July 20, 2012 at 12:48 AM
I love the cover of 'Palace of Stone'! The only thing I noticed were the braids in the cover girl's hair. They looked very awkward with the flower and everything. But hopefully, this was just because of the lighting in the picture or something...
Posted by: ~B~ | July 22, 2012 at 09:01 PM
Your article is really good, come to support the next ah! ! !
Posted by: True Religion outlet | July 26, 2012 at 11:33 PM