Second Wind Publishing discussion

"All the best stories in the world are but one story in reality -- the story of escape. It is the only thing which interests us all and at all times, how to escape." Arthur Christopher Benson.

What is the escape story of the book you are reading or writing? What is the character escaping? What are you escaping by reading or writing the book? And how does the story propose that we escape?

As always, any topic that will help us improve our writing is fair game in these discussions.

Let's talk.

My question was more or less metaphorical since not all books are overtly about escape, but it turns out I wrote a book about an escape. In A Spark of Heavenly Fire, my characters are trying to escape from a deadly virus in quarantined Colorado. Some characters try to escape from the state, others try to escape from their terrible predicament by creating a special world within the world of the quarantine. And me? I wrote the book to escape into a fantasy world that I could control.

Interesting premise and very timely. The plot I'm working on has three escape scenes. If I think of my story as a three-act play, there's one escape in each act.

Writing as an escape? Yes, using the imagination helps to escape the mundane. This could be only daydreaming, but writing puts daydreaming to good use. :-)

Tea,
This sounds fascinating....

Just started reading Shelter Mountain (virgin river #2)
Great series to escape in as I find myself living there as I read it.
My writing --People tell me they are good escape books but I like to think they are rousing comical adventures. I escape into my writing as I do it. I think as the character as I write her.

Right now I am reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with my 9 year old before we go to the movie.

The characters in this book are trying to escape death and on a lesser level they are also trying to escape becoming an adult.

When I need to escape I read Anne McCaffrey's "Restoree." I don't know why it helps, but I have read it about 10 times now and it just helps...

At the moment, I am reading Amistad which is a misnomer to say it's about escape. It's about resistance to slavery and is based on a true story.

I don't necessarily agree that all stories are ones of escape. Nevertheless, I am currently writing a book of short stories about a social worker whose clients find themselves in situation where they have to battle the bureaucracy in some way. I suppose you could say they are trying to escape their situations.

I would have to say that when I read it is my "escape" from reality! Just started a murder mystery The Body in the Attic (Katherine Hall Page)

Interesting, Pat. I find my MC, Tina, uses her work to escape from feelings and getting more involved with her boyfriend. The plot of Vendetta is basically about revenge and control. Lethal Echoes begins with an escape and that escape sets everything else in motion. I never looked at it this way. Thanks for pointing that out.
Nancy

Hi Pat,
Sorry for my absence lately. I love to read books that allow me to escape from reality. Also, I'm currently working on a children's book. I'm not sure if there is an escape in it. Maybe there is. The book is about a little girl who doesn't want to move to the country (a pretty common plot) & tries several ways to get her parents to move back to the city.
Deb

I just finished a lovely debut cozy mystery by Amanda Flower, Maid of Murder. The character uses her talent of painting pictures to escape the craziness of her single life as an academic librarian.

I too, am an escapist. From the very beginning reading has been a way to exercise my imagination and escape to a place different than where I was.

We moved all over the country when I was young, plus I was the stereotypical skinny nerd that everyone ignored or picked on. So my books were my means of freedom and in many ways, they still are today.

I primarily read Science Fiction & Fantasy which are nearly the very definition of escapist literature. I do love my books.

More on topic, it just so happens the book I am currently reading stars a character that escaped from hell and now is a specialized PI topside. This is number 2 of the books and they are tremendous fun.

Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
1. Sandman Slim (2009)
2. Kill the Dead (2010)

Every book I read is an escape from the stress of my life which includes, work, children, household duties, the husband, the dogs plus the occasional mother-in-law nightmares.

Reading is the ultimate stress reducer and with each story I find myself involved with one or more characters. I become a part of the story and the my world tranforms around me as I am swallowed whole within.

I just finished The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen where one discovers secrets can be harmful to your health either emotionally or physically. Filled with mother-daughter issues and family disfunctional flaws. I laughed, I cried and I rejoiced with the characters as they trudged thru every day life and their baggage.