Hello Readers,
I wanted to share my top three takeaways from Trent McDonald’s book, Towards the Light and The Mad Quest: Two Novellas – on sale here at Amazon
Last April, I featured Trent’s book cover – here – because the artwork reminded me of a painting by Forthemo:
Well today it is time to briefly share about the book.
Go here to see all of Trent’s books
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PRIORHOUSE TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS from Trent’s 2019 book (here): Towards the Light and The Mad Quest: Two Novellas
1) Culture Connections
There are little culture-rich snippets in Trent’s writing. One example from “Towards the Light” was the band Genesis reference and note about Peter Gabriel’s fox costume. An important part of including culture connections is not assuming that all readers will identify the connection. And so Trent cleverly finds way to enlighten the reader (and I hate when some authors make too many cultural references assuming readers will know – it is almost as annoying as when authors use too many SAT words). Here is a snippet from the book:

2) Seat-of-the-Pants Author Flow
Trent shared in the forward of this book that the two novellas were drafted “by-the-seat-of-pants” mode. To me, this means we receive writing that flowed easily and from the heart. Also, when an experienced author writes with this mode, we have lightness (no pun intended) in the overall feel. Still depth and heavy content, but sometimes we can feel the author’s essence as we flip the pages and in this case, we also get Trent’s social psychology and human connections:

3) Refreshing Settings and a Bit of Nature Bathing
In the novella The Mad Quest, we have Bravery, changing terrain, hardships, planning, victories on a journey, conversations, dragons, swords, and great setting descriptions that allow getaway and reprieve. This novella reminded me of some parts of Game of Thrones (here) and my son’s (Chad Prior’s) fictional story in Lady by the River (here). However, Trent’s story only slightly reminded me of those other stories because Trent took familiar ideas and elements (a journey, togetherness, cowardice, swords, changing terrain, human conflict, etc.) and gave us a fresh story that allowed us to travel with the characters and get away. And isn’t that one of the main goals of reading fiction – to travel with and grow with the characters.
Sample from The Quest by Trent McDonald: Nature Bathing Example
… the swamp, which stretched out in a mottled green, seeming to forever to the east. Off to the north was a beige blur, which I knew was a desert. In the far west there was a green blur of the forested ridges of Slore. On the far horizon, there was a dream of clouds that I guessed were the snowy mountains that the little king had mentioned. I tried once to locate where I assumed the dragon’s castle must be, but it was lost in the hazy distance. The land darkened and the stars made their shy appearance, then became bold as the sky went from a deep purple to pitch black. A noise caught my attention….
The Quest, and maybe aspects of Towards the Light, reminded me of a Genesis song from the album Trent mentioned in the novella (not that I know very much of Genesis’ early music, but enough):
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__ Let’s close with some comics that Linda shared this week (thanks Linda)
Peanuts sometimes reminds me of Trent and these comics also brought a smile – so I am linking these to Trent’s Weekly Smile (here).
and….
Thank you Trent –
for the smiles you bring through your writing, your challenge, and your presence in the blogosphere.
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This post is also Day 22 of the 31 days to countdown 2020. Wishing you a great day and see you soon with the next countdown post.
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Thanks for posting about my novellas, Y! The poor hero of Towards the Light doesn’t always appreciate that his cultural references are incomprehensible to the average person 😉 Watcher of the Skies may be the most popular song from that album, but the very long(!) Super’s Ready was considered the masterpiece of the early days of the band. And, yes, last year I began to read The Peanuts from the very beginning in 1950. I’m still in the 1960s, but have read a biography of Schulz in the mean time 🙂
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That is what makes the hero interesting and not the same ol’ same ol’, ya know?
and….
enjoy the Peanuts 1960s now… so nice to be reading all of them like this. I might do it some year too – and…
I have a photo to share one my blog (at some point) when we went with my Aunt to Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California back in 2002. Not sure if you have been there, but every Peanuts fan needs to check it out
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I’ve seen photos of Knott’s Berry Farm, but haven’t been there. Maybe some day…
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A lovely post, Yvette. I’ve not come across Trent’s writing before but anyone who references a band I’ve followed from their beginning is worth my time to look further. And there are so many wise words spoken in Snoopy cartoons.
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Hi Clive – wow – another Genesis fan! Way cool.
And I only knew of them as a little girl because I had family members educate me about some music – ha – and I saw so many album covers – quite a different time.
Cheers to Peanuts wisdom and wishing you a nice rest of your weekend 😊📚🎼💜
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I was 15 when they released their first single, Silent Sun, in 1968. Been with them ever since. Also Peter Gabriel’s solo career: he has made some outstanding albums. Enjoy the rest of your weekend too – I’m retired, so I have a 7 day weekend 😉
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Hi – I know some of Peter Gabriel’s solo work – good stuff ! And I knew you were retired and I actually love your tag line “retired – not expired” hahah
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Glad you like him too, he’s very much a favourite of mine. I can’t claim that line as original, but I do rather like it 😊
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Wonderful reviews about Trent’s novellas and I also love all the Snoopy quotes you included in this post. Timeless wise words! 😊
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Miriam – thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment – I have been meaning to share a book review for Trent for a while – and glad it happened this weekend
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I enjoyed reading the novella reviews and reading the Peanuts comics. There is a lot of wisdom contained in those old comics. The Christmas ones were especially relevant at this time of year!
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Thanks Laurie
😊🎄🎄🎄
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This is great Yvette. I like the posters at the end.
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Thanks Dan
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I am slowly but surely catching up tonight Yvette – I do like the Peanuts comics – over the years, they have provided many a smile and a nodding of the head in agreement as well.
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😉
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Writers and characterization are an interesting correlation.🤔
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I agree – 📚📚😊
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