I was completely drawn in, Jennifer--starting with your description of the landscape, as I am now in the Colombia Gorge area (staying as it turns out with our mutual friend April:-) but the way you captured with precisely the right concrete details the dynamics of the protagonist's relationship with Rick, Steve and with the children, centered around this one day and one incident--it does read like a novel. Already, I love these kids and your daughter's drawing of the birds in the trees is beautiful. I need to know if they make it to Hood River safely:-)
A scary situation for sure. I feel like I can see the kids and Rick and relate to them and see the danger ahead in chapter 1. I have a question about the ATV. Isn't that an all terrain vehicle meant to go off road. Sixty miles an hour on a highway doesn't seem realistic. It's also called a car, so maybe it's a hybrid of some kind. Worrying about that took my attention out of the story. Otherwise, a great start to the journey. Looking forward to tagging along. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Can’t imagine the waves of realization of how close you all came to not being around to telling the story rolled over you. Thanks too for the sprinkling of backstory and reflection/foreshadowing examples you show.
Oof. Hooked. I’m there. In the gorge. Fish crackers and tears.
I was completely drawn in, Jennifer--starting with your description of the landscape, as I am now in the Colombia Gorge area (staying as it turns out with our mutual friend April:-) but the way you captured with precisely the right concrete details the dynamics of the protagonist's relationship with Rick, Steve and with the children, centered around this one day and one incident--it does read like a novel. Already, I love these kids and your daughter's drawing of the birds in the trees is beautiful. I need to know if they make it to Hood River safely:-)
A scary situation for sure. I feel like I can see the kids and Rick and relate to them and see the danger ahead in chapter 1. I have a question about the ATV. Isn't that an all terrain vehicle meant to go off road. Sixty miles an hour on a highway doesn't seem realistic. It's also called a car, so maybe it's a hybrid of some kind. Worrying about that took my attention out of the story. Otherwise, a great start to the journey. Looking forward to tagging along. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Can’t imagine the waves of realization of how close you all came to not being around to telling the story rolled over you. Thanks too for the sprinkling of backstory and reflection/foreshadowing examples you show.
The wheels are coming off, and I'm ready to go for the ride!
So good. Loving the illustration too!
A “hard hitting” first chapter! Feels like I know these characters already. I’m all in, eager for the story to unfold.
Good double-meaning chapter title, perfect for the this-is-the-last-straw emotions. I would relish the opportunity to slap the Rick character.
Share! 💕