Secrets Beneath the Ghost Gums
Well, it's about time! I'm finally publishing again. And yes, this is another experiment on style - so don't expect it to be similar to others. Though admittedly, none of my readers ever do.
Secrets Beneath the Ghost Gums
This time I've taken inspiration from the likes of Poe and Dickens, though a beta-reader said it was equally reminiscent of Christie. No complaints from me.
Why Poe? I find his characters remarkably empty for the most part, which is entirely the opposite of my usual characterisations. Now wouldn't that make an interesting challenge for me? I think so. There's an art to hooking readers under that condition.
"The owner of the deep voice stalks down the hallway, flanked by a guard and an assistant. Cane thumping the floor with the finality of judgement. Light creases of a life well lived. Angular welts from branding dancing across a stern face that spoke of years of practice. Her mother’s broad nose and proud stance. Plaits secured at the back of her head, creeping down her back. "
- Sneak Peak at The Ki'ren Chronicles, by Jac Buchanan. Typical of my usual characterisations, and challenging to drop for Secrets Beneneath the Ghost Gums.
Dickens on the other hand, is someone who has a wonderful narration; that sense of the story being read to you by the character. So off I trotted to give that a shot.
In comes the conflict: With this being macabre, how on earth could I master a sense of danger in past tense (which tells the reader the narrator lives) when my favourite Dickens is past tense? A common writers' condundrum.
What followed was, somehow, my house being packed up and what little things of value I own arriving on the doorstep without my having made any arrangements. More curious still, I received a phone call from the bank. They were sad to see me go though I had not tendered any resignation.
- As you can see from this sample of Secrets Beneath the Ghost Gums, Dickens's past tense won out.
Did I make the right decision? Well, you'll have to give the sample a read and let me know.
Preview ARC on Booksprouts
Secrets Beneath the Ghost Gums
This time I've taken inspiration from the likes of Poe and Dickens, though a beta-reader said it was equally reminiscent of Christie. No complaints from me.
Why Poe? I find his characters remarkably empty for the most part, which is entirely the opposite of my usual characterisations. Now wouldn't that make an interesting challenge for me? I think so. There's an art to hooking readers under that condition.
"The owner of the deep voice stalks down the hallway, flanked by a guard and an assistant. Cane thumping the floor with the finality of judgement. Light creases of a life well lived. Angular welts from branding dancing across a stern face that spoke of years of practice. Her mother’s broad nose and proud stance. Plaits secured at the back of her head, creeping down her back. "
- Sneak Peak at The Ki'ren Chronicles, by Jac Buchanan. Typical of my usual characterisations, and challenging to drop for Secrets Beneneath the Ghost Gums.
Dickens on the other hand, is someone who has a wonderful narration; that sense of the story being read to you by the character. So off I trotted to give that a shot.
In comes the conflict: With this being macabre, how on earth could I master a sense of danger in past tense (which tells the reader the narrator lives) when my favourite Dickens is past tense? A common writers' condundrum.
What followed was, somehow, my house being packed up and what little things of value I own arriving on the doorstep without my having made any arrangements. More curious still, I received a phone call from the bank. They were sad to see me go though I had not tendered any resignation.
- As you can see from this sample of Secrets Beneath the Ghost Gums, Dickens's past tense won out.
Did I make the right decision? Well, you'll have to give the sample a read and let me know.
Preview ARC on Booksprouts
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