#literaryfiction

[literaryfiction]

NOVEL DISTORTED PERCEPTIONS

paulathewriter.com

❤

[ecommmax]

Whispers of the Past

In the heart of the ancient castle, where the walls whispered tales of glory and despair, Lord Aric sat at the head of the grand banquet table. His eyes, sharp and unyielding, surveyed the opulent hall with a gaze that had seen too much. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats and spiced wine, but an undercurrent of tension lay beneath the facade of festivity.

At his side, kneeling in humble supplication, was Elara, a maiden whose delicate features belied the strength within her. Clad in a simple dress that spoke of her servitude, her eyes held a glimmer of defiance, a spark that had not yet been extinguished by the weight of her chains. Her head bowed, she did not meet the gaze of her master, but she felt the heat of his scrutiny nonetheless.

Standing nearby, her posture rigid with silent resolve, was Seraphina, the warrior whose loyalty to the lord was as unyielding as the steel of her armor. Her presence was a testament to the battles fought in distant lands and the secrets buried in the castle's dark corners.

The hall, adorned with tapestries depicting the lineage of Lord Aric’s family, seemed to pulse with a life of its own. Each thread, each woven image, carried the weight of centuries. As the lord lifted a spoon to Elara's lips, the gesture was both tender and cruel, a reminder of the power he wielded over those within his domain.

The guests, nobles, and dignitaries from distant realms, feigned indifference, their conversations a mere murmur in the grand scheme of the evening. They knew better than to intervene in the affairs of Lord Aric, for his wrath was as legendary as his hospitality.

But within the confines of the castle, beyond the watchful eyes of the courtiers, lay the true story of the realm. A story of betrayal and loyalty, of love and sacrifice, of dreams crushed and reborn. And as the night wore on, the echoes of the past began to stir, whispering promises of change and the unraveling of fate.

The banquet was but a prelude to the saga that would unfold and test the bonds of loyalty and the limits of power. In the heart of darkness, where shadows danced, and secrets thrived, destiny awaited those brave enough to seize it.

[thenewwei]

Good Americans is free today. Pick up your copy today, in anticipation of Bad Americans!

[qbdatabase]

When We Were Sisters by Fatimah Asghar: The youngest of three, Kausar grapples with the incomprehensible loss of her parents as she also charts out her own understanding of gender; Aisha, the middle sister, desperately tries to hold on to her sense of family in an impossible situation; and Noreen, the eldest, does her best in the role of sister-mother. ..... View the full summary and rep info on wordpress!

[bucolicbook]

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat (We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, #1) by Syou Ishida; translated by E. Madison Shimoda 

US pub date - 9/3/24

Japanese fiction, kitties, improving mental health, and magical realism are all things I enjoy. Combined together in one book, and I’m ready to read it. 

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat was exactly what I wanted - cozy, heartwarming, and a great reminder in the true healing power of animals (sciences shows that spending time with and petting your animals lowers stress, blood pressure, heart disease risk, etc. and, to boot, a cat’s purrs are literally healing).

During my reading of this, I felt even more appreciative of our extremely wonderful indoor senior rescue - she pulls double duty, sleeping as well as being an emotional support / healing kitty and she does both jobs admirably. 

I read this over one day and really enjoyed it. 

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the DRC

[nimit-blogs]

"Goodbye"

“Goodbye.” I said in her ears, with a gentle distant but warm hug. A moment before the hug was something i clearly remember still, as she was standing with her friends and looking at me with a smile, clueless of the thoughts in my mind. Clueless of my resolve. Clueless yet of that word that i just spoke. She went back to her vehicle with her friends. Kept looking over her shoulder once or twice and thrice when she was already in the car - this time around with a face of worry as the realisation had hit her. We made slight eye contact one last time - and i was already on my vehicle, and i left without a single expression, sign or gesture.

A goodbye was for sure something that either of us - oh wait - at least what I wanted. But there comes a time to change the page over to get to the next chapter of your life. One would be burdened with the consequences for sure, but a mere realisation that had materialised had brought him to the choice.

What would have been and what is supposed to be has only got a single line of “it is what it is” separating them.

I enjoyed the high noon, knowing that the sun would set soon. It was time for me to pay up in sorrow of solitude.

[sunnyanddumb98]

Don't mind me just quoting myself "In my dream, when turning, the bus tilts so much that I see directly at the sea. I love watching the sunset from that road: the ships full of containers, the sun shining over the sea like fireworks or champagne, the sea lions diving from the ruins of an ancient port, the teenagers on skates, teenagers with beer, teenagers on weed, everyone sitting on the rocks among seagulls, staring at the sea, like meerkats or sunflowers. Toddlers and shiny things "

[urbanfiction]

Distorted Perceptions

Set in the 1980s to early 90s

[ohsoojolie]

The summer 2024 reading list! What are you reading this summer?

[nauticalnotions]

Pathetic Fallacy

Something I Learned Today, and I Wish to Share Here to Help Anyone:

Use Your Setting to Add Emotional Depth: A Guide to Pathetic Fallacy

What is Pathetic Fallacy?

Pathetic fallacy is when features of inanimate nature are given human feelings or characteristics.

It is a powerful tool to express a character's feelings using the surroundings, creating an atmosphere without explicitly stating what the characters feel.

Using Nature to Echo Emotions:

Despair and Loss: The vivid colors of surroundings might turn gray, or a relentless drizzle may cast the landscape in gloom when a character is overwhelmed by despair. These subtle changes deepen the emotional connection for readers.

Anger and Turmoil: Incorporate dynamic elements like a thunderstorm to reflect intense emotions. The violent winds and sharp flashes of lightning mirror the inner turbulence of the character, making the turmoil palpable.

Reflection and Sorrow: For softer emotions, use elements like a gentle breeze through leaves or a thick fog. These details not only set the mood but also draw readers into experiencing the character's quiet sorrow.

Practical Tips for Writers:

Identify the Emotion: Clearly understand the emotion you want to convey.

Choose Suitable Elements: Select environmental details that naturally reflect or enhance this emotion, such as weather conditions, landscape features, or the state of inanimate objects.

Integrate Subtly: Blend these elements into the narrative subtly. They should support and not overwhelm the emotional tone of the scene.

Why Use Pathetic Fallacy?

Pathetic fallacy does more than decorate a scene; it connects readers to your character's emotional journey, making the story immersive and moving.

By aligning the external environment with the character’s internal state, you create a unified narrative that resonates deeply with readers.

[voidzlitmag]

I am literally begging writers to submit to this lit mag, I am a real person trying to start up a passion project but I am failing, pls send me your writing so voidz doesn't die like my dreams.

[literaryfiction]

DISTORTED PERCEPTIONS NOVEL

paulathewriter.com

[urban-media]

An e-book about superhero action, adventure and comedy. It's a book written in the form of a play. A FLYING INCREDIBLE HULK STORY!

Available on Kobo.com: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/supersaw-1

#Books #BookWorm #GreatReads #IndieThursday #MustRead #WhatToRead #blogs #fiction #shortstories #YA #literaryfiction #comicbooks #action #adventure

[qbdatabase]

How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica: When Daniel de La Luna arrives as a scholarship student at an elite East Coast university, he flounders at first―but then Sam, his roommate, changes everything. As their relationship evolves from brotherly banter to something more intimate, Daniel soon finds himself in love with a man who helps him see himself in a new light. ..... View the full summary and rep info on wordpress!

[bucolicbook]

The City and Its Uncertain Walls: A Novel by Haruki Murakami (translated by Philip Gabriel)

US pub date - 11/19/24

I’m not going to rehash the synopsis; I’m simply going to communicate that I enjoyed each and every page of this slow paced, introspective, and gorgeous read. 

Another excellent, excellent novel from Mr Murakami. 

Recommended.

Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the DRC

[sunnyanddumb98]

In the writing course I'm taking, I must take a month-long break between the first draft and the second. During that month, I'm supposed to read as much as I can and take notes, erasing my own book from my mind. The goal is to read so much that I forget my voice, allowing me to have fresh eyes for editing. This week, I'll be reading Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín, an Irish author, and Strange Pilgrims by Gabriel García Márquez.

I'm not a fast reader, and as I've mentioned before, I have never read a book faster than it was written. Reading multiple books at a time helps, but I truly think I won't have enough distraction to reset myself enough. I can't read fast and probably only finish one new book this month. It is what it is. Thankfully and tragically, this is not a graded course, so I'm not going to fail any tests but my own—editing my book with fresh eyes.