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Stephanie Van Orman
Bio
I write novels like I am part-printer, part book factory, and a little girl running away with a balloon. I'm here as an experiment and I'm unsure if this is a place where I can fit in. We'll see.
Stories (81/0)
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery is not about a blue castle, but that's part of it's charm. It's about a woman named Valancy who hates her life so much that the only time she's happy is when she goes to bed and can dissociate about anything she likes.
By Stephanie Van Orman19 days ago in Journal
Heart's Key
When I was a little girl, I thought fairy tales were disappointing. Snow White was going to live with a bunch of short men with big noses and absolutely none of them are hot? Intentionally? Couldn't she do better for herself if she was so devastatingly beautiful? No? That seems disappointing.
By Stephanie Van Orman20 days ago in Journal
Two Star Review
"The first book's storyline was so unique I just had to read this one, but the sequel was even more roughly written than the first. Van Orman's writing style is overly simple and I had to ding them for their habit of 'telling not showing' every emotion and thought of every character despite it being a first-person POV. There was also no semblance of a struggle after she unlocked the second level. Everything was too easy. No plot twists. Every plan they came up with was executed without complications so it was just... boring unfortunately."
By Stephanie Van Orman2 months ago in Journal
Dune 2: Poor Chani
I have known all about Dune all my life, so when I saw Dune Part 2 in the theaters a few weeks ago, Chani's new character was a big surprise for me. Before I say anything more, I want to say that I can appreciate the need for changes to her character. The way Chani is written in the book is not very reflective of the ideologies of today's women. If they left her as she was it would have annoyed most women. I can see the need for a change, though I'm not positive I agree with the direction they took because it made me sad to see her reduced to a character of such limited understanding.
By Stephanie Van Orman3 months ago in Futurism
What My Mother-In-Law Gave Me
I knew my father-in-law liked me the moment he saw me. He was sitting at his computer desk when his son introduced me to him. He glanced at me over his shoulder and then dropped his mouse and swiveled around, giving me his full attention. Contrary-wise, my mother-in-law did not look at me. She looked at everything and everyone but me. It seemed like she was too preoccupied to notice that her son was trying to introduce a girl to her.
By Stephanie Van Orman5 months ago in Families
Writer's Groups
One time, I read a quote from Hemingway describing literary New York as a jar of tapeworms trying to eat each other and I thought, 'Yep.' Except, I don't think of literary New York specifically. Instead, I think of in-person writer's groups.
By Stephanie Van Orman5 months ago in Writers
AI Doesn't Swear Right
Like many authors, I have been getting notices that I should transform my novels into AI-read audiobooks on GooglePlay Books. Lately, I got an email explaining to me that the service is free right now and I should take advantage of it.
By Stephanie Van Orman6 months ago in Futurism
Full Closets and Nothing to Wear
Have you ever stared into your full closet and said the despairing words, "I have nothing to wear"? If you start complaining that you have nothing to wear, an enraged bunny wearing a tailored pantsuit will appear in your closet and start lecturing you about the benefits of a capsule wardrobe. Don't listen to her. Capsule wardrobes are for people going on vacation with limited packing space. It's impractical for a woman who doesn't want to wear the same theme every day.
By Stephanie Van Orman7 months ago in Styled