It’s Friday, friends, and you know what that means… let’s talk about what we’re reading!
I’m reading…my manuscript. I’m finishing up the first revision on A VERY BAD THING. I was quite thrilled that my team loved the book; my editor in particular used the sort of descriptive words that make an author’s heart sing. This revision isn’t as deep as I thought it was going to be, which is good, all things considered.
When I finish, though, I have a book to blurb from my friend
, then I will be starting in on the books for some upcoming A WORD ON WORDS interviews. First up, BURNER, by the incredibly talented Mark Greaney. That will be fun; I love the Gray Man series.
I did read something quite fascinating, and I wanted to share it. This excerpt from the introduction of showrunner Jesse Armstrong’s new collection of Succession scripts was both beautifully written and posed some interesting questions. I am a huge fan of Succession and thought the 4th season was some of recent television’s finest work, both in words and acting. The piece has spoilers about the story arc of the season, so if you haven’t watched, don’t read this yet. But this part in particular moved me:
Of course, knowing that the arc of the season is essentially right doesn’t mean that the writing goes easily. No, there are still many days when you stare at the index cards which were supposed to spell out the spine of the episode and they no longer connect. You start to feel you can’t really remember what a story is. What is it even that people like about a TV show? About anything? What is true? And you can find yourself Googling, “What is a story?” “What things do people do?” “What is interesting?”
I think all writers — all creatives — sit down with this question in their soul daily. If you haven’t ever thought about what is interesting to a reader or viewer, there’s something missing from your work. I talked with V.E. Schwab this week about her new book THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER, and I feel like she has a real grasp on what her readers want balanced with what she as an artist wants to make them experience. Because that’s what we’re trying to do, isn’t it? Give you, the reader, an experience?
Can't wait to see your conversation with VE Schwab!
This week i read Rapture by Lauren Kate. 4th book in this YA/fantasy book. Very good series.
I rediscovered fantasy with Sarah J Maas several years ago and I'm so glad i did...i hadn't read fantasy since middle school. I love the world building!
I also read Fall Into You by JT Geissinger. Completely different from YA, but I love her books for something different!
I'm finally reading Marie Lu's STARS AND SMOKE, and it hits all the feels for me. I'm wanting to both rush through it and slow down. The good news is that I'm going to Albuquerque this weekend to see the in-laws and it just happens to be the balloon festival so that'll slow me down some. Except planes. So there's that.
I'm not sure we will get to do that. I hope so but my in laws are twenty years younger than us, and they were in charge of planning what we did at the festival since they live there. I guess we'll see.
Can't wait to see your conversation with VE Schwab!
This week i read Rapture by Lauren Kate. 4th book in this YA/fantasy book. Very good series.
I rediscovered fantasy with Sarah J Maas several years ago and I'm so glad i did...i hadn't read fantasy since middle school. I love the world building!
I also read Fall Into You by JT Geissinger. Completely different from YA, but I love her books for something different!
The A Word on Words interview will, for sure. The library chat wasn’t taped though. Will let y’all know as soon as it’s out.
I'm finally reading Marie Lu's STARS AND SMOKE, and it hits all the feels for me. I'm wanting to both rush through it and slow down. The good news is that I'm going to Albuquerque this weekend to see the in-laws and it just happens to be the balloon festival so that'll slow me down some. Except planes. So there's that.
Awesome! 👏 🙌 I don't know how you do it all. Very impressive.
Eek! I hope you enjoy ONLY ONE SURVIVES! Excited to hear what you think :-) Thank you! xo
The Invisible World by Nora Fussner
Rouge by Mona Awad
Puzzle House: A Novel by Duncan Ralston
The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology
I'm not sure we will get to do that. I hope so but my in laws are twenty years younger than us, and they were in charge of planning what we did at the festival since they live there. I guess we'll see.