2 A Cluster of Separate Sparks

In the second episode, I dig into the modern Gothic genre by tackling Joan Aiken’s marvelous novel, A Cluster of Separate Sparks, aka The Butterfly Picnic.

The Gothic also means getting into what tropes this genre requires and how I can fulfill them in this overwhelming page one rewrite. My head is exploding. I love Joan Aiken’s novel so much. It’s probably my favorite book. And I like my own novel idea so much, but I have many drafts of it and none of them work.

Let’s consider them prep work for the wonderful book to come, how’s that? Good, good.

I also like that you can hear me get cold about half an hour in, sitting in a freezing house with wet hair. Next time, wear a sweater. Got it! For you, anything.

Sacred cheese of life!