A short story is a love affair, a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film.
Lorrie Moore
Character agency is, to me, a demonstration of the character’s ability to make decisions and affect the story. This character has motivations all her own. She is active more than she is reactive. She pushes on the plot more than the plot pushes on her. Even better, the plot exists as a direct result of the characters actions.
Chuck Wendig
Character agency is to me
Keep writing, keep faith in the idea that you have unique stories to tell, and tell them.
Robin Hobb
Keep writing keep faith in
Starfish
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
This book is for the big girls. And for those who need to understand how hurtful words can be. And for those needing more love.
Starfish (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2021) by Lisa Fipps is so well written.
This novel-in-verse is such a heart-wrenching believable story of Ellie who is often called Splash or Whale. It felt so true I found myself getting angry at Ellie’s mother. Why doesn’t she stop Ellie’s siblings from teasing her? Why doesn’t she see her daughter’s strengths? But with help Ellie learns how to speak up not only to bullies at school but to her own mother.
And I’m not alone in thinking this book is great. Go here to see all the Best Book lists it’s being put on.
This is the author’s debut novel. Can’t wait to see what else she writes. Read about Lisa here. (I enjoyed her sense of humor!)
Never feel that you’re ‘married’ to an idea, even if it was the original idea that sparked the story. It might have to go, like a scaffolding that comes down after a mural is painted.
Laini Taylor