novel – n. a long written story usually about imaginary characters and events

surreal – adj. very strange or unusual : having the quality of a dream

poise – adj. having or showing a calm, confident manner

tact – n. the ability to do or say things without offending or upsetting other people

oblivion – n. the state of being destroyed

fiction – n. literature that tells stories which are imagined by the writer

contender – n. someone who tries to win something in a competition; a person with a good chance of winning