This is THE LAST DAY of my Character Reveal series for my next book.
There’s no quiz today, but the answers to all the quizzes are below. I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment to enter to win a book and possibly a GC. Here’s last week’s POST.
Thank you for joining me and meeting my characters. Thanks for making this August month a lot of fun. I’ll be announcing the winners soon and getting in touch with them so I can arrange to send books as soon as they’re available!
Here’s Libby, the girl who must choose to either remain shattered or rebuild her life. I’ll post one of the key moments in my protagonist’s life, the moment in the hospital that kicks off the story and sets Libby on the way to whatever future she may have.
I knew hearts didn’t stop beating until you died, yet I was certain mine had just stuttered to a halt. I couldn’t breathe. My lungs refused to expand. My throat went dry. I’d planned most of my life for this one year. I’d worked out, built my strength, gone to ski camps, kept at it until I’d made it through the selection process—until I’d almost made the US Olympic slalom team. I had my passport. I’d packed my bags weeks ago. Now, my mother was telling me I couldn’t do what I’d lived for all these years?
My heart kicked in and air filled my chest. “Shut up! Shut up!” In my mind, I screamed, but that’s not the way I heard my voice. Shut up sounded like a whimper.
“Libby, stop.” Dad was back, his hand on my shoulder, his face filled with pain. “Please, stop.”
His calm presence and the terrible sound of his plea brought me up short.
I gulped back the ragged clutch that filled my throat. “Why? Why can’t I ski with my team?” Then I glanced down. Mom was lying across the foot of the bed. She was lying across my legs, and I didn’t feel the weight of my mother’s body.
The Answers to the Quizzes! Did you get them all right?
1. What famous book features these minor, but memorable characters? Aragorn, Pippin and Merry.
A. Star Wars
B. Great Expectations
XC. Lord of the Rings
2. Who wrote this unlikeable character? Mr. Collins
XA. Jane Austen
B. J.K. Rowling
C. John Grisham
3. How do psychologists say we should react when our friends behave immaturely?
A. Give them understanding and sympathy
XB. Never support their poor behavior.
C. Give them a good scolding.
4. What generation in the U.S. usually makes up what we call “helicopter moms”?
XA. The women who grew up in the late 70s, early 80s called the “latch key” kids.
B. The women who were from single-parent homes.
C. The women who were orphaned early in life.
5. There have been many mother-daughter relationship threads in stories told over time. Here are three. Which of these is the most modern tale?
XA. Pride and Prejudice
B. Book of Ruth
C. A Sicilian Tragedy
6. There are some famous fathers in books. I’ve matched three to books, but only one match is correct. Which one?
A. Jack Torrance, About A Boy
B. Atticus Finch, Pride and Prejudice
XC. Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter Series
7. Here are the names of three “bad boy” characters in young adult literature. One isn’t really a character in a book. Which one?
A. Ronan Lynch
XB. Whit Moreland
C. Damon Salvatore
8. Here are some facts about World Para Swimming (Olympic competition for handicapped swimmers). Two are correct. One is not. Which one is not true?
A. Nearly 100 countries participate in the World Para Swimming games.
XB. World Para Swimming uses different rules than its Olympic counterpart.
C. World Para Swimming is only open to male and female athletes who are handicapped.
9. Here are some interesting facts about Argentina, except only one is correct. Which one?
A. Basketball is Argentina’s favorite sport.
B. Che Guevara admired Argentina but never visited.
XC. The name Argentina comes from the Latin word for silver – Argentum
10. Which of the following dates is the first documented account of using physical therapy as a medical treatment for pain?
A. 1740
B. 1920
XC. 460 B.C.
11. There are a lot of famous TV sheriffs. Here are three, but one isn’t famous, in fact, he never existed. I made him up. Which one is he?
XA. Johnson Mayhew, of Tulsa, Oklahoma
B. Andy Jackson Taylor of Mayberry, North Carolina
C. Seth Bullock of Deadwood, South Dakota
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – this was a great idea … and I enjoyed mostly guessing the answers – some I knew. I enjoyed the excerpt … and so congratulate you writing these sort of tales – clever, to put it mildly … take care and good luck now to publication … cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
The next step is the big one, and so September should be a busy time. Thanks for sticking with me through this series. It’s always great to read your comments.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) says
I’m still blown away by 3.
Looks like I’m all caught up on answering.
I had a productive month reading for a read-a-thon, writing a few book reviews, checking in with hospitalized family members, and writing a WEP flash fiction.
Have you seen the notebook on the current (Aug 25) giveaway at Operation Awesome? That is some amazing custom art. Debut authors are always surprising me.
I’m ready for the summer heat to be over. 🥵
C. Lee McKenzie says
Your schedule is remarkable, Mr. Dorner. It sounds as if you have a very full plate.
Liz A. says
I don’t remember some of those questions…
C. Lee McKenzie says
Laughing because neither did I until I went back and read them.
Mike Boyd says
Well, Lee, I’m hooked like a big ol’ trout. No doubt about it. Thanks so much for inviting us into this adventure.
C. Lee McKenzie says
And thank you for being a part of it. It’s no fun fishing alone, Mike.
L. Diane Wolfe says
I would’ve miss ed most of those.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Me too, but since I wrote them I had the advantage.
Jemi Fraser says
That excerpt had my heart racing! Great work!
I see a couple of my guesses were correct. That was a fun series 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was great having you along, especially since I know you’re not usually a contemporary/realistic reader.
Elephants Child says
Thank you. This has been both intriguing and fun.
And of course I look forward to seeing your book when it comes out. And the next one(s) too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Oh my. You are such a great supporter. I appreicate you a lot!