What is it about an author’s voice and style that allows a loyal reader to read an excerpt of their latest work and be able to identify the author? Not that I can do that, I’m only just beginning to compile a list of my favorite authors. It seems I’m finally coming out from under the rock I’ve been living under since I began having babies back in the ‘80’s, (please don’t tell my children I said they crawled out from under a rock) and am only now discovering authors whose writing voices ‘speak’ to me. A couple of these are:W. Dale Cramer
Barbara Kingsolver
Susan Meissner
Randy Ingermanson
Sara Gruen
I enjoy these author’s voices, but I sure don’t write anything like them. I’m leery of “branding” my writing any time soon; in fact, after reading Chip MacGregor’s latest post on branding, I’m not too worried about defining my writing brand for quite a while. The only definition I can give my writing at the moment is Nicholas Sparks meets Karen Kingsbury at an off-beat little comedy club. A little more Nicholas than Karen. Gayle Roper read an excerpt and synopsis of my first novel and told me I’d written “an intelligent romance.” I took that as a compliment, although I didn’t actually check to see if she’d meant it as one. So I really haven’t written enough to analyze. Right now, I am enjoying reading and analyzing the work of others.
So there are many more books on my TBR list. These are a few topping the list because I have a feeling I’m going to hit it off with them too:
Lisa Samson
John B. Olson
Michael Snyder
Jamie Langston Turner
My question to you: Do you know these authors and their work, and if so, do you see a pattern to this list? If you are familiar with their work and know of other authors with similar elements of voice and style, I’d love to hear some reading recommendations.
4 comments:
Hey Camille, It's good to see you out from under the rock. You've named a LOT of my favorite authors. There are only a couple on your list that I haven't read. I think there is a pattern - great writing, something unusual about the stories (original??)and the "voice" that everyone talks about.
A couple of additions that I would make are Anne Tyler (The Accidental Tourist, Back When We Were Grownups, Breathing Lessons, Saint Maybe, and many others) and Billie Letts. Billie is a Tulsa author who made it on Oprah with her first book - Where the Heart Is. Also her latest is excellent - Made in the USA. Some language, so be warned, but the writing is exquisite. Also Charles Martin is one of my favorites, and for fun, Ray Blackston. (Giving the CBA equal time here) Peace Like a River made me bawl. Leif Enger's newest book not so much. I have a trillion or two books in my TBR pile and will never get to them all, so I pick and choose and am now choosing what I like over what I "should" read. Trouble the Water by Nicole Seitz was a great read as was Painted Dresses by Patricia Hickman.
Probably TMI for you, but you did ask, so . . .
Your John B Olson links to Jamie Langston Turner's site. Probably should point here http://www.litany.com/author.html
OOoops, thanks for catching that, Dal. Fixed it.
I've got Lisa Samson's Embrace me up next, then Olson's Shade. Oooo, I heard it's too scary to read alone.
Thanks for the ideas, Carla. Not TMI, I did ask. Adding them to my TBR pile now. :)
I don't know about a pattern, but I do know I like voices that are unique and thought-provoking, and that rivet me to the page. I like voices/stories that I can get lost in, and a lot of the authors you listed do that for me.
I second Carla Stewart's recommendation of Billie Letts. I love her, too. You have GOT to read her!
Then there's that Camille chick. . .she's awesome!
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