It is dreadfully, painfully difficult to write a long-form story in first person present tense. I know because I’ve failed at it more than once. Few professional agents would present such a manuscript to a publisher. Even fewer professional authors would even try something this daunting.
I’m very glad you’re sharing this with us because it's beyond excellent.
This story succeeds gloriously. It’s alternately tense and tender, intriguing and a little funny in places, and it tells a multi-layered story that grips the reader with a hold that won’t let go. I always look for a new installment when I come a-lurking.
Lois didn’t tell us why she deliberately left her notebook upstairs, but it’s a very good thing she did. The babies didn’t get another dose of green K and Lois didn’t suffer with them. And Clark didn’t have to see her and the babies suffer. He might have done something stupid.
How did the Bureau 39 men know to come to the Daily Planet? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess it was Ralph. Maybe he doesn’t know what he did – maybe he’s just that jealous of Clark monopolizing Lois’ time. And maybe he’s a cunning wolf in blundering sheep’s clothing.
Cat and Perry don’t know everything, but they know enough to protect both Clark and Lois from a threat neither of them fully comprehends. I can’t imagine better friends for them at this time. And let’s not forget Lucy, maybe the best sister any Lois ever had. They have a better support network than most expectant couples do, and they’re about to be tested most strenuously.
The tension is palpable and the love between Lois and Clark permeates every paragraph even during the scenes that aren’t deliberately tender or passionate. And I really enjoyed seeing Lois edit Clark’s copy. It was a nice role reversal from the series and it helps the reader understand just how good Lois is at what she does.
Keep this up and you might sweep the Kerths next year. Excellent work, Kathryn. Truly outstanding.
