Novels have inside stories and outside stories, sometimes more than one. There are stories that reveal themselves all at once, and others that are a puzzle. My new book The Third Angel is filled with secrets. Some characters keep secrets from the people they love best. Some keep them from themselves.
Here is a clue to the identity of the Third Angel. Sign my guestbook and I’ll send out other clues.
I heard something at my window. I thought it was snow falling, or birds calling, or branches hitting against the glass. I had been betrayed by someone I loved. Because of that I was sick of human race. All I could think of was how people went behind your back, lied to you, gave you gifts that looked like gold but were made of straw.
I heard it again at my window. I knew someone wanted to come in. I wondered if I had lost my soul, if someone or something had now been sent to collect it. I had most certainly lost something in being betrayed. I couldn’t find it again because I didn’t know what it was.
I thought I heard someone say my name even though the window was closed. Not the name I went by now, but my childhood nickname, a name I didn’t use anymore. I looked out and saw a man. It was cold. The sky was filled with stars. I had one thing left from the person who had betrayed me. A black coat. When I thought of him I thought of that coat and how he looked in it. Now I grabbed it from the closet and brought it outside. The man in the snow was waiting for someone to save him, so I did. I helped him on with the coat.
When he walked away I thanked him for his gift. Now when I thought of that coat I wouldn’t remember my betrayer. Instead I’d think of the man in the snow and the way he came to save me.
Comments (4)
Alice,
I'm such a huge fan of your work, that I had to come over and take a look. Now, I get to be the first person to comment on your blog!
How fabulous is that? (Off to your guestbook.)
Posted by Doreen | February 21, 2008 8:20 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 20:20
Hi Just finished Jodi Picoult's latest book and looked at her FAQ's. She lists you as one of her favorite authors. I am sorry to say that I have never read any of your books and am anxious to start. Any suggestions of which I should start with?
Posted by Kelly | March 12, 2008 9:01 PM
Posted on March 12, 2008 21:01
Alice,
I am an 11 year old girl that loves to read books.When I found your book Green Angel in the middle school library, I was so happy, I started reading it right away.I loved it.I am someone who likes to write books also. In fact I am writing a book about the Holocaust.Keep writing those books!
-Kaylee
Posted by Kaylee | March 16, 2008 5:30 PM
Posted on March 16, 2008 17:30
hello alice - i just arrived home from seeing you at the appleton, wisconsin public library. i was mesmerized by your passion for writing, thus this comment: i've been trying to write my memoirs for my daughters and have 'hit a wall' as to how honest one can be in writing about themselves. any advice you can forward would be so useful.
good luck...keep up the great work.
regards,
susan
btw: every woman should have a red dress for each of the four seasons :)
Posted by Susan Frank | April 17, 2008 10:40 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 22:40