Why is there a picture of my ten year old cat Ginger on a tree stump in sea of calm backyard grass? I’ll get to that in a moment, because it’s affirms to me how a writer’s intention verses reader’s interpretation is a matter of perspective.

One writer creates stories in genres readers naturally crave and clamor for, while another writer’s magnum opus is their greatest work no one wants to read.

As a child, I grew up listening to, and reading the oldest of Baba Yaga tales, Slavic myths, and epic fantasy adventure stories. As an adult, I’d only hear or see negative depictions of Baba Yaga and Slavic myths in books, TV shows, movies, and video games. And the world and Baba Yaga deserve better.

I wrote The Devil Pulls the Strings to honor the many epic fantasy adventure stories I read, infuse Slavic mythology, and show Baba Yaga in a modern story as she truly is, as a supernatural entity, as a trio of sister, as a mentor, as a helper, and as an antagonist.

Great story ideas are a dime a dozen, but how the writer executes their story makes the difference. Did I come close to a good, great or exceptional execution? I didn’t know. Then I received my first review shown below:

“The story was very entertaining to read, which probably helped me finish it sooner than I expected. I had a lot of fun with this one! I found the plot and the writing style pretty captivating. Boone’s character is funny, lighthearted, and easy to like. I think the book will especially appeal to a young audience. Its tone reminds me of the adventure/fantasy books I enjoyed as a kid.”

— Francis K, Arizona

The review while fantastic, is only one review.

Then I received the second review:

“This is great writing and over the top imagination. I literally clasped my Bible and my partner held my hand because this was so scary to read,
and scared the bejesus out of me. There is so much in this book, I could visualize everything and loved every minute of it. This will have a huge audience.”

— Betty K, California

A second favorable review. That has to be a fluke, right?

Then I received a third review:

“I enjoyed reading “The Devil Pulls the Strings” by J. W. Zarek, who in my opinion is an exceptionally creative writer and has written a very enjoyable five-act epic fantasy adventure that is entertaining to read. I felt the author was highly innovative in writing this imaginative, and entertaining tale. I was drawn in by the first few chapters of this adventure and the professional style of writing by this author. I liked the way the story continued to take me on an amazing adventure filled with humorous, clever, surprising, and ingeniously unexpected events. I also liked the organization of the story and the excellent Glossary provided by the writer. As I read, I thought of the often-quoted words of Albert Einstein: “Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought.”

As the story expanded, I enjoyed the imagination of this remarkably interesting writer, the characters, exceptional events, and much more. I also liked the way the author writes interesting and fast-moving dialogue. In my opinion, the story is unique, ingenious, thrilling, distinctive, and just plain fun to read. I also felt the story was all told at a good pace that kept my interest. I also enjoyed the unexpected and warmly written ending very much. Finally, I found at the end of the story I wanted to read more from this exceptional and entertaining writer. All in all, I think it is very well done and highly recommended!”

— Bruce M., New Zealand

Reviews I continue to receive validate why I wrote The Devil Pulls the Strings, and why I shall continue to write about the Lavender and Roses and Dragons and Nymphs societies’ war and its colorful characters. As I wrote this blog post, I glance into the backyard, and spot a blur of blue, a streak of feathers, and my ten-year old cat Ginger dashes up a tree stump adrift a calm sea of backyard grass, to follow a bird fly into its home in the tree stump.

The bird caught Ginger in mid-climb, and flew away before Ginger could snatch a quick snack.

Ginger’s love of up close, interactive bird watching, reminded me of my friend, Ria, a nature lover and lifelong bird watcher who also loves up close, interactive bird watching. Ria loves all the fantastic pictures and happy memories she creates, and Ginger loves scrumptious surprise mid- afternoon snacks she gets.

And just like writer’s intention verses reader’s interpretation, it’s their perspective which allows Ria and Ginger, to both to see and enjoy up close, interactive bird watching differently.

A second glance out back, I see the little bird back in its home in the tree stump, and Ginger out of sight, off on another backyard adventure.