The Power of Touch

One technique I think JKR uses excessively well is to employ the power of human touch to SHOW emotion rather than to tell. Throughout her stories, JKR utilizes words conveying touch between her characters to express the heights and depths of what her people are feeling. You can guarantee, in a high-intensity scene, there's going to be a lot more touching going on.

Examine these examples, noting the bolded action, to see how in crucial, emotionally charged scenes, the physical act of touch is used to great effect:

Then a pair of hands seized him roughly and turned him over.
"Harry! Harry!"...
...Harry let go of the cup, but he clutched Cedric to him even more tightly. He raised his free hand and seized Dumbledore's wrist, while Dumbledore's face swam in and out of focus.
-- p. 671 GOF (Scholastic)

With touching words such as “seized” and “clutched,” the power of Dumbledore's fear and Harry's mounting anxiety are powerfully conveyed. The reader can feel the emotions, rather than being simply told that Dumbledore was afraid and Harry was traumatized.

Harry seized him and helped him back to his seat...
...And pulling Dumbledore's uninjured arm around his shoulders, Harry guided his headmaster back around the lake, bearing most of his weight...
..."I am not worried, Harry," said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water. "I am with you."...
..."When did it appear?" asked Dumbledore, and his hand clenched painfully upon Harry's shoulder as he struggled to his feet.
-- pp. 577-581, HBP (Scholastic)

How satisfying is it for the reader to see, to feel, Harry taking care of his mentor. Here Harry becomes the strong one, and this is actively conveyed through numerous “touching” verbs.

And just so we don't think that the power of touch resides only with our hero and his friends, this from HBP:

...Snape had burst into the room, his face livid. Pushing Harry roughly aside, he knelt over Malfoy, drew his wand and traced it over the deep wounds Harry's curse had made, muttering an incantation that sounded almost like song. The flow of blood seemed to ease; Snape wiped the residue from Malfoy's face and repeated his spell. Now the wounds seemed to be knitting...
...When Snape had performed his counter-curse for the third time, he half-lifted Malfoy into a standing position...
..."There may be a certain amount of scarring, but if you take dittany immediately we might avoid even that...come..."
He supported Malfoy across the bathroom, turning at the door to say in a voice of cold fury, "And you, Potter...you wait here for me."
-- p. 489 HBP (Bloomsbury), p. 523 (Scholastic)

"Pushing," "knelt," "traced," "wiped," "lifted," and "supported." The power of human touch, of healing...in Snape's hands.

Look for places where you can weave more touch, in all its varied forms, into your story. Especially consider scenes of climax and passion. And don't limit touch to your hero and his friends. After all, not all touches are good.

Touch is elemental, archetypal even. It transcends centuries, and cultures, and the sexes. It has the power to convey emotions as far ranging as love from hate and trust from betrayal.

Touch is a powerful word-tool in your arsenal. How have you employed this tool in your story?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? August 2 Edition

I don't know how interested you guys are in seeing pictures of my baby, but every time I post pictures, you guys tell me how cute you think she is. (Thanks for that, by the way). So, until I hear otherwise, you will get baby updates from time to time.

Abigail LOVES to watch TV. She must be her mother's daughter. I have to face her towards the TV otherwise she will crane her neck around to watch instead of playing with her toys.





In a fit of insanity last night I volunteered to be a third round judge for Nerds Heart YA.  I've got to read the two books and make a decision by August 7. Wish me luck.

I'm making a change to the Nightshade T-Shirt contest. I'm extending it one more week, and I'm adding an ARC of MATCHED by Ally Condie to the possible winning pile. So, go enter!

And, I've posted the form for Tell Me What to Read: August Edition. This is a great chance to force me to read something I might not otherwise read. Oh, and if I pick your suggestion, you can win some SWAG.

Finished Last Week:
OTHER by Karen Kincy
THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT (audio) by James Patterson

Currently Reading:
DARK LIFE by Kat Falls


Up Next:
LAST NIGHT I SANG TO THE MONSTER by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
BEAUTIFUL by Amy Reed

Last Week's Contest Winners:
INFINITE DAYS (ARC) by Rebecca Maizel: Nicole
WILD ROSES by Deb Caletti: Crystal F

What are you reading this week?

Evil Elevator

So, I'm not a fan of elevators. When I was little, my dad used to "bounce" the elevator as it climbed; I was convinced it would plummet. Since then, I've never been fond of the whole holding-box-attached-to-a-cable-that-could-snap-at-any-moment-and-drop-you-to-your-death thing.

As you get older, I realized there is another elevator feature every single and/or virgin must fear: elevator music. Why? Because the day you choose to ride in an elevator will be the day it chooses to play a sappy version of All By Myself while you are trapped inside its inescapable metal hell. 

Yeah.  Ain't it great?

Note to self: Avoid evil elevators; take stairs--get exercise, no horrid hate music, no snap-capable-cable.

NASCAR Rundown: Biffle Wins at Pocono; Elliott Sadler Survives Horrific Crash

Pocono is not usually one of my favorites tracks--it's often long, tiring, and just plain dull. Plus, it's not one of Dale's tracks (today was no exception, though he really gave it his all with what he had). Today, however, with about seventy laps to go, this track took on a life of its own. Add the threat of rain to Pocono and you've got a dang good race.

A mix of good driving and excellent strategy earned Greg Biffle the win for car owner Jack Roush, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a plane crash earlier this week.  This win is surely a much needed ray of sunshine for Mr. Roush.

Perhaps the scariest part of the day was the horrifying wreck involving the 19 of Elliott Sadler. I've been a NASCAR fan for a long time. Like most fans, I've witnessed it all...including one of the darkest days in NASCAR history when the sport lost Dale Earnhardt Sr. Today's wreck has to rank as one of the worst.

Elliott emerged from the car in visible pain as he collapsed to the ground.  After a visit to the infield care center, Elliott told reporters that he had the wind knocked out of him, but felt okay overall, other than being a bit sore from the pull of the seat belts. Thanks to all of the increased safety measures instituted after Dale Sr.'s accident, Elliott Sadler survived an otherwise deadly crash. Thank God.

Below, you'll see video of two wrecks: the first involves Kurt Busch, who lost control after getting bumped by Jimmie Johnson (After the wreck, Kurt said Jimmie drove right through him--think Kurt will retaliate? Stay tuned.).

The second--which happened almost simultaneously with Kurt's--is Sadler's wreck.  It happens at about the 43 second mark--watch the lower right of the screen.  WARNING: It's pretty tough to view.

Winners Announced!

I want to thank all the people who participated in my first contest! I quite liked celebrating Happy Potter Day with a contest for writers and fans and think I will make this an annual event. Plus, there will be other contests throughout the year. Halloween seems like a very appropriate day for a Harry Potter contest, don't you think? :-)

Three winners have been chosen from this first one, and I'd like to congratulate the winners:

1st place - @meversusworld
2nd place - @siriusismyhero
3rd place - @wRockRevelation

Again, heartfelt thanks to all who entered. And please keep coming back to my blog and join in the discussion on what writers can learn from studying JKR's craft!

Tell Me What to Read: August Edition

Tell Me What to Read: August Edition

Thanks to all who submitted recommendations last month for Tell Me What to Read. This time, I'm raising the stakes. Sort of. If your recommendation is selected, I'll send you a SWAG pack with bookmarks and other goodies. Everyone likes a little incentive, right? And all you international readers are eligible to win because I love you, and I can spare a dollar to send it on over.  Also, check out Everyday Reading and Angieville for more Tell Me What to Read fun!

Rules:

1. Comment with the title of one book you think I should read (any book you want). One title only, please, lest my brain explode.

2. I'll select one comment at random and announce it on the blog on August 9.

3. Please check my Goodreads Read Shelf and Review Page for a list of books that I have already read.  On the off-chance that I've already read the book you select, I'll be forced to select another recommendation.

4. I'll get a copy of the book and read it by the end of August.

5. I'll write a review of it here. Even if I hate the book, I will not hate you.

6. Recommendations open until 11:59 PM August 8.

Fill out the form to enter!

In My Postbox #13

In My Mailbox idea from Kristi @ The Story Siren, and all links take you to Amazon UK.

It's been a good week this week. So many amazing books that I cannot wait to read, and in one case wish I had read sooner!

The Map of Marvels by David Calcutt.

"When Connor starts creating a map of an imaginary world for his school project he has no idea where it will lead. As he draws the outlines of the islands and the mountains, the map begins to take shape. And then there's the tower-ominous and threatening - but so necessary that without it the map would not be complete. Perhaps without the tower, the map might not even exist. But the map does exist, and so does the tower. As Connor enters the world he's created he meets others there who all have their own tale to tell. Together they travel between many worlds, on many adventures and through many stories. On their journey they encounter places and creatures beyond Connor's imagination. But he has imagined them, hasn't he? Surely this world can't be real, because if it is, his life at home must just be another story . . ."

This sounds very good. And I love the cover!

Witchfinder: Gallows At Twilight by William Hussey.

UK Manuscript Proof

"Eight pale hands - some with fingers stripped down to the bone - rose out of the earth. Slimy with rain, the rat-gnawed heads of four soldiers loomed into view. They moaned at the sky and their cry moulded itself into a word: 'FLLLLLLEEESSSSSSSSHHHHH!' The Demon Father has escaped from hell and walks among us, his trident symbol branded into the earth in countries all over the world. A scorching beacon. A call to arms. A sign that war is coming. Jake is struggling to harness his powers and live up to his reputation of the boy who closed the demon door. But now he must push all doubt aside. To stop the Demon Father Jake must change the course of history - embark on a treacherous journey deep into the past and into another dimension, filled with horror and pain. A place where innocent people are tried and tortured. A place where the law of the Witchfinder rules. Let the rushes be lit for there will be gallows at twilight."

I am so insanely excited about this book. I adore the first book in the trilogy, Dawn of the Demontide (review here) and am so honoured to have a manuscript proof. Excited to see what happens next. Thank you to Michelle Harrison at OUP for this (and for The Map of Marvels!)! :D

The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork.

UK Proof/Advanced Reader's Copy.

"When Pancho arrives at St. Anthony's Home, he knows his time there will be short. If his plans succeed, he'll soon be arrested for the murder of his sister's killer. But then he's assigned to hep DQ, whose brain cancer has slowed neither his spirit nor his mouth. DQ tells Pancho all about his "Death Warrior's Manifesto", which will help him to live out his last days fully - ideally, he says with the love of the beautiful Marisol. As Pancho tracks down his sister's murderer, he finds himself falling under the influence of DQ and Marisol, and beginning to understand that there's more to life than revenge and more to death than sadness."

This sounds so good, and I've seen that it's gotten some rave reviews!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

"Grace is fascinated by the wolves in the woods behind her house; one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. Every winter, she watches him but every summer, he disappears. Sam leads two lives. In winter he stays in the frozen woods, with the protection of the pack.n summer, he has a few precious months to be human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. When Grace and Sam finally meet they realize they can't bear to be apart. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human - or risk losing himself, and Grace, for ever."

Really looking forward to reading this. A few of my friends have read it and recommended it to me before, but I just never got around to it. I love the cover. The feel of it. It's just really cool.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater.

"In SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in LINGER, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping dangerous secrets. For Sam, it means grappling with his werewolf past ... and figuring out a way to survive the future. But just when they manage to find happiness, Grace finds herself changing in ways she could never have expected..."

Sequel to Shiver, so shall be reading this as soon as I've finished that! Again, such a cool cover. Has an eerie feel to it.

Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve.

"FEVER CRUMB is a stunning, stand-alone prequel to Philip Reeve's brilliant science fantasy quartet. It is set many generations before the events of Mortal Engines, in whose dazzling world huge, predatory cities chase and devour each other. Now, London is a riot-torn, ruinous town, clinging to a devastated landscape and hiding an explosive secret. Is Fever, adopted daughter of Dr Crumb, the strange key that will unlock its dangerous mysteries?"

I actually haven't read anything by Philip Reeve, shamefully I dare say! But this sounds amazing. And I love the cover art. Very much looking forward to reading this one!

A Web of Air by Philip Reeve.

"Two years ago, Fever Crumb escaped the war-torn city of London in a travelling theatre. Now she arrives in the extraordinary cratr city of Mayda, where buildings ascend the cliffs on funicular rails, and a mysterious recluse is building a machine that can fly. Fever is the engineer he needs - but ruthless enemies will kill to possess their secrets. The fabulous sixth book in the Morta Engines series, from the brilliant and award-winning Philip Reeve."

See above for what I said about Fever Crumb. Applies to A Web of Air also! Plus this is the sequel to Fever Crumb so I shall be reading this after! Sounds brilliant though!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

"Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. But Katniss has been clse to death before—and survival, for her, is second nature. The Hunger Games is a searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present. Welcome to the deadliest reality TV show ever..."

WHY HAVE I NOT READ THIS BEFORE?! ARGH! What a waste of time I have had not loving this series. Now I have read it however I am in love. Just... WOW! You can read my review here Possibly the longest review I've written to date! Ha!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

"After winning the brutal Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen returns to her district, hoping for a peaceful future. But Katniss starts to hear rumours of a deadly rebellion against the Capitol. A rebellion that she and Peeta have helped to create. As Katniss and Peeta are forced to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. Unless Katniss and Peeta can convince the world that they are still lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying... The terrifying sequel to The Hunger Games."

Reading this now, and LOVING it! Expect a review as soon as I'm finished! So excited for Mockingjay!!!!

Thank you to Steven at Scholastic for the last 7 books listed before you today! (The Last Summer of the Death Warriors through to Catching Fire!) I am so thankful! So grateful! And thank you for introducting me to The Hunger Games! :D

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan.

UK Proof/Advanced Reader's Copy.

"Following the massive success of the Demonata series, Darren Shan is back where it all started – telling the life story of the vampire Larten Crepsley. Spanning centuries and continents, taking in sea voyages, murder, war and love, this is the epic, bloodsoaked tale of a vampire who started out a nobody… and ended up changing the world forever. When Larten escapes the terrible workhouse in which he toils, he doesn’t know that he is running from an early death… into another kind of transformation. After meeting the mysterious vampire Seba Nile while sheltering for the night in a crypt, Larten finds himself drawn into the shadowy world of the vampire Clan. As he travels and learns, Larten finds himself enjoying the adventure he has always dreamed of, seeing a world beyond any he suspected in his poverty-stricken youth. But Larten begins to discover something else, too. Much like death, becoming a vampire is something you can’t come back from…"

ARGH! It's Darren Shan!!! Need I say more? I don't think so. So excited to read this! Thank you to Jessica at Harper Collins for this! :D

So there you are. That's what I got this week. Would just like to take another opportunity to thank all the publicists (not just those who have sent me books this week) for their outstanding generosity! You guys are amazing and I am so grateful and honoured!

Hope everyone has a great week! :)