Oh, Holly, so glad you're still reading the novel and loving it. Means so much, my dear. Catching up on yours, post haste, (was away for a couple of days ...) xo
“Lena didn’t see Evan’s need. She saw the path that Evan opened for her.” And then later, “Have I wanted her to guess?” Feels to me the answer is YES. I love this dialog, two individuals sharing a conversation but both with very different agendas. Makes me think how often this happens though we still call it communicating!
Yes, slant dialogue, expressing the conflict in both their responses, don't you think? Insight into the layers of conflict--and isn't that how life moves, in a way, especially when what's between two people is complex? I have a sense from the depth your reading that you might agree but would like to know because this way of writing drives me--even in "Lifeboat" --though so different, this aspect of process perhaps was there as well?
I agree with Veronika wholeheartedly. Excellent dialogue. And the last paragraph closes it out so beautifully, bringing a close for the moment but making the reader want so much more.
Tim, that means so much. Your addition to Veronka's comment on the opening, yours on the closing. Ah, closing the round, my friend. I thank you with my heart.
I love the world you create Mary. This part in particular spoke to me: “She looked at the mango and thought of Isaac and of Evan, how Evan had taught him to do this, and Isaac had then taught her, how entwined their lives were—even the eating of the mango”
Oh, this chapter gives me shivers... Excellent dialogue. Keeping the reader suspended in the "will she - won't she" question, which is of course Lena's dilemma.
So crisp, Mary. And who doesn’t love the word askance?
Ah, Adrian, my fine reader and good soul. And yes, "askance"-- yes!
I absolutely adore this conversation between Lena and Evan. This is among my favorite of many wonderful chapters.
Oh, Holly, so glad you're still reading the novel and loving it. Means so much, my dear. Catching up on yours, post haste, (was away for a couple of days ...) xo
But of course. It's wonderful.
PS. I sent you an email recently. Just a note in case you didn't see it. ;)
“Lena didn’t see Evan’s need. She saw the path that Evan opened for her.” And then later, “Have I wanted her to guess?” Feels to me the answer is YES. I love this dialog, two individuals sharing a conversation but both with very different agendas. Makes me think how often this happens though we still call it communicating!
Yes, slant dialogue, expressing the conflict in both their responses, don't you think? Insight into the layers of conflict--and isn't that how life moves, in a way, especially when what's between two people is complex? I have a sense from the depth your reading that you might agree but would like to know because this way of writing drives me--even in "Lifeboat" --though so different, this aspect of process perhaps was there as well?
I agree with Veronika wholeheartedly. Excellent dialogue. And the last paragraph closes it out so beautifully, bringing a close for the moment but making the reader want so much more.
Tim, that means so much. Your addition to Veronka's comment on the opening, yours on the closing. Ah, closing the round, my friend. I thank you with my heart.
I love the world you create Mary. This part in particular spoke to me: “She looked at the mango and thought of Isaac and of Evan, how Evan had taught him to do this, and Isaac had then taught her, how entwined their lives were—even the eating of the mango”
All in the details. Thank you so, Imola, for noticing that. I talk about this in the course that is here: https://marytabor.substack.com/s/write-it-how-to-get-started and how to get unstuck and how to edit and when!
Oh, this chapter gives me shivers... Excellent dialogue. Keeping the reader suspended in the "will she - won't she" question, which is of course Lena's dilemma.
Indeed, loyal reader and friend. What will she do? That is the question.