The author reflects on their fascination with stories about families and finds a connection in Shirley Jackson's "Let Me Tell You." Despite coming from a military family, the author identifies with universal family dynamics depicted in Jackson's work, appreciating how mundane family life influences her writing. They enjoyed the book's insight into Jackson's creative process.
As the custodian of your characters, be practical, realistic, and keep your readers on your side by allowing your character to experience setbacks and disappointments. Start your story with intention and leave a lasting impression on your readers.
The novel was published in 1920, in the 1870s, in New York society. It’s fascinating how one look, one casual phrase, could destroy a person’s entire reputation. I think that’s still true, but we can start over somewhere else and, for the most part, bounce back. If someone is ruined (the Beauforts, more so Regina than Julius, highlighting the gender discrimination of the time), it’s unheard of. The specter of New York looms as its character in the novel and all of its citizens play their lives out so spectacularly. Wharton paints this wonderfully manipulative underbelly even while its inhabitants…
I decided to test out an A.I. named Salli to read my story this week. Listen and let me know what you think. Stream it and read along with the text! It was the same room as yesterday. The day before that, the day before that. One single-paned window provided natural light. The sounds of a neural concept of the natural world She had plugged into her mind contributed background music. No furniture. Amenities were nonexistent. Does having a toilet count as an amenity? It wasn’t like She needed it. She wasn’t even sure where it ended. Is this a…