Old Book Club Thread - Check out the New One!

"AuroraLockwood;13850731" wrote:

"CathyTea;13850707" wrote:

"Jes2G;13850694" wrote:
Speaking of morality....Another thing about Grace is that she's an example of what could happen without any kind of moral guidance. She was pretty much rotting away in that orphanage for 18 years with no loving, guiding hand to teach her right from wrong. True, after a certain age everyone knows stealing, killing, etc. is wrong, but...I can see how it would be easy for her to drift to the dark side.

Yes, I feel this way entirely about her. I find that chapter of her as a teen so heart-breaking, actually. In fact, the shift after she hears her friend lie... all of that really breaks my heart. This sweet, innocent girl, and then, she just hardens in hate.

I really feel that it shows what can happen with neglect and without being loved. I almost can't even think about the story because I find it so heart-breaking--I do that thing I do with "Willow's Way" sometimes where I just focus on a little detail, like looking for the calico cat, or thinking how cute Chompy is, or thinking about the train, all so that I don't have to actually think and feel what is really going on, which is just so painful.

"Shut up, Stuart!" (See? I am a lot like Colleen!)

I honestly don't think I could ever do that. As odd as it may sound I like the pain. When a story can make my heart ache, or make me really feel for the character, or make me cry, or best of all just leave me sitting there in shock thinking about what just happened, then that is a moment that the story really hits a new level for me. Those are the moments in stories I live for.

That's actually how I gauge my own writing as well. If I can make myself feel while writing even knowing whats going to happen ahead of time then I feel like I have succeeded as a writer.


edit: And sorry, I just realized I got off topic when this is supposed to be about the weeks stories. My apologies.

I think it's cool to go off-topic when talking about something on-topic leads you there, so please do post what you edited out, if you'd like to share.

When I mentioned on the first page that this is an on-topic thread, I just meant that it's not a place where we'd be having random conversations about cupcakes, blueberries, tea, and kittens--now if our reading discussion leads us to talk about those topics, it's another thing entirely!

So I'd say, feel free to develop and explore any and all ideas that are generated from our discussions, and please share all that you're comfortable sharing.

Yes, I've been thinking about emotional pain in reading material because of the latest two issues of Willow's Way, and I realize that I have limitations in terms of my emotional bravery: I don't always have the courage needed--or the faith in my own resilience--to move through pain and I will often try to bypass or deflect this. This is a challenge for me.

In writing about Willow's Way, I thought how Colleen was at one point able to open up a space for her friend to move through the pain to a place of healing--and this is the approach I am cultivating in myself. It's a process.

In terms of writing, I so agree with you--Rory's talent (and yours) are evident in the ways that her (and your) writing make us feel!