This debut novel by author Heather Levy, is chock full of gray areas that authors can tend to shy from for teen protags such as abuse, sexual awakenings, and crime. It tells the story of Sam Mayfair, a young woman struggling to cope with trauma and the murder of her abuser. The death of the […]
Walking through Needles Read More »
The concept of allowing readers to achieve catharsis by sharing in the intense emotions of characters goes back at least to ancient Greece. If you’ve ever cried with a character in a work of fiction, you know how powerful and healing it can be. It’s one of the most effective ways to bond a reader
Withholding Catharsis Read More »
There are nights when I shoot up suddenly, jolted awake by searing nerve pain. In those late hours, I lie still envisioning a slasher breaking into my house wielding a knife or chainsaw or machete (think Robert Rodriguez or Rob Zombie grade of cinematic gore) only to have me beg them to take the left
On Those Nights When Only Cake will do… Read More »
