Can you believe it? (I can’t!) The Lightning in the Collied Night is published!
So, let’s talk about it! I’d like to know what you think about my first novel–my first fiction writing of any kind since high school. What did you like? What did you not like so much? What did you think of the story & plot? The characters? The settings? The “tech” (or lack thereof)? The dialogue (yes, there’s a lot of it)? And anything else you can think of.
Please post your comments and questions below. As this is a moderated blog, it might take a little while for your posts and my responses to show up.
(A note about moderation… any post that isn’t respectful of others will NOT make it through moderation. But if you read my novel, you might expect that.)
Thank you for reading my first novel, and for sharing your thoughts on it here.
(Image designed by Freepik)
Why did you chose as the title of your sci-fi novel “The Lightning in the Collied Night”?
I am aware that this phrase is part of a Quote in a William Shakespeare play:
“Brief as the lightning in the collied night;
That, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and Earth,
And ere a man hath power to say “Behold!”
The jaws of darkness do devour it up.
So quick bright things come to confusion.
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What is the deeper meaning and significance to you, personally, for choosing those specific words to be the title of your first book?
Great question, Maihaa. I covered this topic in What’s in a novel’s name?, but to summarize… I wanted Shakespeare for a title (see the blog post on that), many other options were already used for books, and I wanted something unique. I couldn’t find any other book with this title. And I thought that the phrase and the surrounding text in A Midsummer Night’s Dream fit the novel in several ways. Once you’ve read the book, see if you agree on that. 🙂
Thank you for your prompt reply with the direct link to your blog post “What’s in a novel’s name?”
I read that and felt that what you wrote there helped me better understand your background, interests, and motivations.
I also wanted to ask you about why you chose to write Sci-fi for your first novel. However, when I read your answer to my first question (above) I discovered that you had already anticipated that thought and answered it in your first blog post “Why did I decide to write a novel, and why this novel?” that had a direct link to my first question. https://thecolliednight.com/2024/03/15/why-did-i-decide-to-write-a-novel-and-why-this-novel/
I commend you. Very well anticipated and written in a way that helps me understand you better as an Author.
Now I will read your third blog post: https://thecolliednight.com/2024/03/29/what-will-the-world-be-like-in-30-years/
That’s a very important and valid point for discussion!