Writing Excuses 20.34: Deep Dive into “All the Birds in the Sky” - Using the Lens of Who
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Aug 24, 2025 Dive into the intriguing character dynamics of Patricia and Lawrence from 'All the Birds in the Sky.' Explore how childhood experiences shape adult identities and motivations. The hosts analyze narrative techniques that enhance reader engagement and emotional depth. Unpack the genre conflicts between fantasy and science fiction through the characters' unique perspectives. Plus, discover a homework challenge that encourages writers to examine envy and desire in their own characters for richer storytelling.
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Time Jumps Reveal Character Formation
- Charlie Jane Anders uses time jumps to show how childhood shapes adult choices and relationships.
- Repeated scenes let readers watch history echo across life stages and deepen character understanding.
The Book Is A Relationship Portrait
- The novel is primarily a character study about a relationship between two people.
- Watching lenses evolve over time reveals why they become who they are and the choices they make.
Perspective Shrinks Or Inflates Memory
- Readers often inflate the importance of scenes simply because the author shows them.
- The book subverts this by later revealing divergent perspectives on the same childhood moment.
