Nuggets
From the Book - The Pursuit 2 | Chapter 5
“Everyone has a weak spot,” Sue thought.
Unfortunately, Harper had no such spot. Sue would find she had opened the door and invited in a bona fide menace.
What Motivated Me to Write | TANTRUM
The motivation for TANTRUM came to me one night in a hotel room. I used to travel frequently for work, and one night before drifting off to sleep, I visualized the room used by a madman who tortured our protagonist in the opening scene. It was the perfect environment to add effect for how I wanted the story to begin. I can remember thinking how it just felt right as I wrote that scene.
The interesting thing about this story, while not too uncommon, is that literally every action of the protagonist, Mathew, is in direct response to something the antagonist did. Mathew was in reactionary mode throughout the entire story. He simply was incapable of confronting his one overpowering demon.
Even more interesting is the fact that as I wrote this, I could not define the antagonist until just about at the end. I struggled throughout the writing process to admit, or maybe I didn’t want to admit, the obvious. But once I could stand back and look at the overall picture, there really was no denying who it really was.
I suspect that, unlike me and my blinders, readers won’t have a problem identifying the antagonist. It’s an interesting story and I think you’ll like it.
. . .
Scene from the book | TANTRUM, Chapter 1, Scene 1
Introducing Marjorie
The important part about this scene is the introduction of Frank and Marjorie Abernathy. If ever there was a relationship that repelled against itself theirs was it. It was as hydrophobic as oil meeting water. It’s not that they hated each other. They didn’t. Frank loved her with all his heart. Marjorie wasn’t operating on a level playing field, though. She made it clear at every opportunity that she wanted Frank to think that she wanted nothing to do with him. After their son, Mathew, was born, she even told Frank his obligation to her, the marriage, and Mathew was effectively over.
This scene also introduced the protagonist, Mathew. Mathew’s childhood was, let’s say, different. His adulthood was different. His relationship with his mother was different. Marjorie was overbearing and there’s really no nicer way to say it. By the time Mathew reached adulthood, she owned his every thought. He was nothing without her. He couldn’t function without her. Marjorie had developed a burning need to control his every thought. The relationship between them was abnormal.
It’s important to understand that nothing Marjorie did as far as Mathew was concerned was done with malice. She truly loved him more than life itself, and she could truly not exist without him. That said, her relationship with him took a turn towards dangerous as he approached puberty. This scene puts the reader into her frame of reference. The intent is not to condone her actions.
Beyond Mathew, beyond Frank, Marjorie Abernathy is a very complicated woman. She is the most complicated character I’ve ever written in a story. This scene sets the stage for the absolute avalanche of emotion she brings. I implore you to hold judgement and read past the first chapter in order to appreciate her character. She is a sick woman, yes, but she is not an intentionally cruel woman, well except towards poor Frank. Now Frank was no angel. Did he deserve the extent of Marjorie’s wrath? Maybe, but he truly loved her, as did she him, and that is clear throughout the story.
This scene throws a lot of weirdness at you quickly, but keep reading. It’s all necessary for the story to make sense.