This week I am back to reading fiction: historical crime suspense. A book I am finding difficult to put down, the prose is so well written that it carries you forward. Two recently read sentences are from The Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone, a book I will be doing the next review on:
“At Christmas 1887, fifteen months before this story began, the world was introduced to a fictional character destined for such immeasurable acclaim that he would overwhelm his creator’s efforts to be done with him. The essence of this character’s appeal was not derring-do, as in the dime novels of Beadle & Adams, but rather in his uncanny ability to unravel a set of data that had stumped lesser men and proceed to a logical and incisive conclusion.”
As a continuation from last week’s two sentences from my draft dark fantasy WIP, Keeper 2, where a group of travelers are carefully making their way along an old trail on an outcropping of rock. Here are the following three sentences:
“She kept her eyes on Stefan’s shoulder to avoid looking down; and her foot slipped again, this time over the edge. Although she knew better than to look down on a long climb, Maggie glanced to see empty space beneath her. She gasped, feeling a surge of vertigo.”
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Yet Another Escalation
8 hours ago
19 comments:
"...She gasped, feeling a surge of vertigo." I like it.
And I checked the link you provided and read the bit on Lawrence Goldstone. Sounds good.
Barbara,
I am looking forward to your review of the Anatomy of Deception.
Your sentences were, shall I say it? very edgy!
Terrie
Should check that book now. Thanks for letting me know :)
Great post Barbara! I can't wait to find out what is going to happen.
whoop, heights are one of those things that can get me when described in fiction. This scene put me right there on the narrow trail with them, even though it's only two sentences.
I'm feeling the vertigo, too. Well done.
Oh, I just got vertigo too! Good lines!
I've got vertigo thinking about it!
More gripping sentences, Barbara!
Barbara! I think, that in this book the climb is so well described, that I feel my fear of heights coming up! Interesting post!
The sentences by Goldstone are interesting. Is that a reference to his protagonist or to Sherlock Holmes?
I'd be gasping, too, if I were in Maggie's position, perched on the edge of a cliff. Good job.
Looks like you certainly know how to keep the tension up!
David, the book by Goldstone is excellent.
Then the next two sentences should be right up your alley.
Terrie, the review may be ready by Saturday.
Sekhar, so far it's a great read with interesting bits of history revealed for the era.
Crystal, then return next week for another two sentences.
Charles, I'm not good with heights, especially sheer drops with nothing much to hang onto.
Leah, thanks.
Reb, I'm amazed that almost everyone who comments is affected by the sentences.
Raph, I wouldn't think giraffes were afraid of heights.
Wil, I'm pleased that the limited space on the trail is coming across in my writing.
Linda, it is Sherlock Holmes, though the physicians in the story are investigating symptoms of why certain people died.
Poor Maggie, the height is much higher than she thought.
Steve, thanks...posting these sentences is a good test of the work.
Barbara, I get dizzy looking at my shoes sometimes!
Sounds gripping, Barbara
Just stopping by to say hi and to catch up on what you've been up to. I did a cross country this year, and there are parts of the Rockies where that scene could have been described from a car! You know, those places where you're afraid to look out the window because you'll see nothing but empty space?
Oh, vertigo. Just the word makes me nervous. I've had it a couple of times and it's no fun. Enjoyed the post. D
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