"Life is like a patchwork quilt. Each patch, each experience, each life is connected
to all the others by the threads that bind them together." — The Book of Metanoia
to all the others by the threads that bind them together." — The Book of Metanoia
In my article last month on Second Chances, I mentioned how my original book expanded during the rewrite until I realized I had two novels instead of one. I have to say the generation of The Threads That Bind was a surprise to me. I just felt that there was a legacy in the making in Second Chances, and it simply flowed. The characters in these two books are bound together through three generations by a common thread of paranormal abilities that can empower or destroy. The battle that began with Fredrika (Freddie) Marsh drew all those after her into a final confrontation between those compelled by their gifts to seek power in the outside world and those motivated to use them as tools to increase their inner power.
The first novel was perhaps more action-oriented than the second. I would classify The Threads That Bind as a character-driven novel. I enjoyed both styles, but felt that the shift was necessary. There were times when I was writing about the evil characters in these books that I had to take a break because their personalities were overwhelming me. There were times when I cried with my characters and times when I laughed with them just as I would have if they were literally in the room with me.
When you have an antagonist in one book and yet another in the second, you wonder if you can handle it. Sandy Wolters’ reaction touched my heart. “ I just can't believe that an author has the ability to make a reader revile a character in such a way and then change that emotion to complete and utter compassion.”
I appreciated Alex Canton’s recognition of why I used first person for one of my characters. “The author's use of the first person to handle one of the lead female characters sensitizes the reader to the character's search for a maternal identity. Add the fantastic knowledge of clinical psychology necessary to handle the mechanics of mind reading and dealing with such concepts as "alternate reality vs. virtual reality" and "TRV—technical remote viewing—a path connecting to Jung's collective unconscious." The former makes the whole plot believable.”
Annarita Guarnieri picked up on the psychological aspect of this novel. “And there are the characters, fully and artfully developed, and their interaction that offers to the author the occasion to delve deeply in the workings of the human mind … This is one of those novels that, once read, stay with you forever because the characters are so alive and real, the story so mesmerizing, that it is impossible to forget either.”
Writing both these novels fed my addiction for the high you feel from being so intimate with the thoughts and feelings of your characters, who have become totally real to you. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did!
The first novel was perhaps more action-oriented than the second. I would classify The Threads That Bind as a character-driven novel. I enjoyed both styles, but felt that the shift was necessary. There were times when I was writing about the evil characters in these books that I had to take a break because their personalities were overwhelming me. There were times when I cried with my characters and times when I laughed with them just as I would have if they were literally in the room with me.
When you have an antagonist in one book and yet another in the second, you wonder if you can handle it. Sandy Wolters’ reaction touched my heart. “ I just can't believe that an author has the ability to make a reader revile a character in such a way and then change that emotion to complete and utter compassion.”
I appreciated Alex Canton’s recognition of why I used first person for one of my characters. “The author's use of the first person to handle one of the lead female characters sensitizes the reader to the character's search for a maternal identity. Add the fantastic knowledge of clinical psychology necessary to handle the mechanics of mind reading and dealing with such concepts as "alternate reality vs. virtual reality" and "TRV—technical remote viewing—a path connecting to Jung's collective unconscious." The former makes the whole plot believable.”
Annarita Guarnieri picked up on the psychological aspect of this novel. “And there are the characters, fully and artfully developed, and their interaction that offers to the author the occasion to delve deeply in the workings of the human mind … This is one of those novels that, once read, stay with you forever because the characters are so alive and real, the story so mesmerizing, that it is impossible to forget either.”
Writing both these novels fed my addiction for the high you feel from being so intimate with the thoughts and feelings of your characters, who have become totally real to you. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I did!
AVAILABLE on AMAZON https://www.amazon.com/Threads-That-Bind-Dannye-Williamsen/dp/0972605878 |