As I stated last week, today’s webisode features the first section of Chapter 2, as opposed to all three. To my friends at Café Lopez, I would like to take a moment to properly introduce my book. If you’ve been following it over the last couple of weeks, you are no doubt aware that it is a science fiction novel. What you don’t know is that I use that term reluctantly, not because I am ashamed of science fiction, or because TDDC somehow doesn’t qualify as part of the genre, but because the term comes with a set of preconceived notions. I did not think about what genre TDDC applied to until the book was finished. The novel was always about one family and how they, as grounded human beings wrought with their own unique desires, fears, and aspirations, come together to overcome extraordinary obstacles.
Marketers force me to categorize The Dead Don’t Cry, I urge you to leave your preconceptions at the door.
And now, without further interruption, TDDC:
Nicely imagined world, Mark. I felt like I could touch and see it.
Thank you! (Somehow your comment snuck past me)
I’m going to have a good look at this tonight. Exciting! By the way, someone told me that you could always label SF, etc. as Speculative Fiction…though I’m not sure there’s a shelf for this in the bookstore (yet).
You know, funny you should say that, because I was tempted to add that I don’t like the term speculative fiction. It seems like a cop-out. It’s like me saying, “I’m not really Puerto Rican, I’m an American Islander,” know what I mean? And thank you! I eagerly anticipate your reaction…you’re kind of a big deal 🙂
So, I am hooked on ‘The Dead Don’t Cry.’ I’m going to comment from the beginning through Chapter 2.
Besides the brilliant title, there are just so many things to love about the story. While I’m not convinced you need a prologue, I think the opening quote is plenty to set the mind working on what to expect. I feel like you do a fair amount of plotting and write in such a way that it doesn’t show. For instance, there is a lot of backstory to include and you do this in a unique way by having Lucy being quized in the halls by the hollogram and then walking into class during an important lesson on terraforming. You don’t overdo it.
There is a small part that seemed a bit dramatic on how the class reacted to finding out Lucy was ‘wet-borne’–maybe instead of a collective gasp, one or two big-mouth students say something rude while the rest stare at her in silence. Just keeping it real. Also, on page 4 there is a sentence where she is told about “the terror forming on New Earth” and then the next sentence it switches to “the terror forming on Old Earth”…which did you mean? I think Old Earth. tiny little typo.
Jack and the plane. Love the ash cloud scenario–somehow, it seems so current!!!
Lillian. Who is David to her? I could understand a father (or father figure) speaking to her in such a way (i.e. consider her daughter’s wellbeing, etc.) but not a colleague.
Chapter 2, Lucy. I LOVE the sequence where she’s running and falling over, getting scraped up…talking to the trees, Mr. Virgil, etc. But, I need one line or two making it clear WHY she feels the need to chase after the rogue students. Maybe she should recognize one of them? This scene really felt instincitive to me…all the elements are there, but I just need one little line to describe the motivation.
Thanks so much for sharing your writing with the world!! I really think you ought to publish it in book form…I’d buy it. Sarah
I’ve been having a rough day today – this response fixed all of that. Thank you. That being said:
– Interesting suggestion regarding the children’s reaction. I’m curious if you’ll feel the same way when you’re done the book. Being a wet-borne carries a serious stigma, it’s not simply something frowned upon.
– Old/New Earth: typo, thanks.
– Regarding David: That a colleague would be so personal is indicative of her lack of ‘personal’ relationships
– Lucy’s motivation: Before she runs, it occurs to her that she didn’t recognize any of the students, which means that one among them might not have heard her secret, so she chases them to catch them before the “rumor mill” does.
Again, thank you. I happily look forward to the opportunity to reciprocate. And about the plot building blog…I’m considering a big self publish/vs publishers post…so it might get moved to Monday. You rock!