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| This is only one section of my library and I have book cases in other rooms, too. |
From early childhood we’ve listened to stories and
imagined ourselves in that world. It got even better when we learned to read
and could lose ourselves in books we chose. Animal stories, adventures,
mysteries like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys fired our imagination.
We get inspiration from our reading. We all know
that we must document or acknowledge in some way words taken from another
writer. However, we can and do get ideas from our reading. I read once that a
well-known mystery writer, (I won’t mention her name) doesn’t believe in
reading because it might affect her writing, by changing her voice or some such
thing. That might be why after reading three or four of her books, I grew tired
of her protagonist because she never seemed to grow or change.
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| I think I have everyone of her books now. |
Although some writers do try to copy famous writers
most writers who get inspiration from books they’ve read put their own spin on
it or have taken characters from books from the 19th century and
used them in a different way. Laurie R. King did a fine job with her Sherlock
Holmes and Mary Russell series.
Inspiration from other authors has been around since
books were written, I’m not sure where P.G. Wodehouse got his idea for Bertie
and Jeeves, but I do know Dorothy L. Sayers read and enjoyed Wodehouse. Even
before I read her biography I saw similarities between Lord Peter Wimsey and
Bertie. Both were upper class (common in books at that time) both had exuberant
personalities and both had man servants. Sayers may have been inspired by
Bertie and Jeeves, but she changed the characters significantly. Lord Peter was
far more intelligent than Bertie. He served in World War I and suffered shell
shock from the experience, while Bertie never had problems that weren’t silly
and usually of his own making. Both of the man servants were helpful, but
Bunter was totally devoted to Lord Peter with good reason, and Jeeves was
rather contemptuous of Bertie.
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| I've read her books twice & will read them again. |
Moving forward forty or fifty years to America, I
see Lord Peter Wimsey in Jane Langton’s Homer Kelly. True, he’s not of the
upper class nor does he have a manservant, but he has the same exuberant
personality, Like Wimsey, Homer Kelly is intelligent. He’s a college professor
and inquisitive. Instead of a man servant, he has a wife who supports him and
tones down his exuberance at times. And like Wodehouse and Sayers to a lesser
extent, Langton’s books are delightfully funny.
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| I've already started rereading all her books. |
And then we get to Elizabeth George’s mysteries
whose main character is Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley, who is
addressed as Lord Asherton, although he doesn’t want to use that. He has a man
servant, too, who is devoted to him. And another character who is quite
delightful and funny is Constable Barbara Havers, who is usually Thomas Lynley’s
side kick. I think Elizabeth George has written 22 books now, at least that’s
how many of her books I’ve read. Some I’m starting to reread.
As long as there are writers we read and enjoy (and
I’ve certainly not mentioned all of them), those writers in some way inspire
the way we write.
The three writers I mentioned are among my favorite mystery
writers although I do have more, too. I’d love to have Jane Langton’s ability
to describe characters in the unique ways she does and her delightful sense of
humor. Plus, her plot twists are pure magic. Have they influenced my writing?
Maybe but not obviously. It’s more in recognizing what exceptional writing is
and working towards achieving that goal in my own voice and style. I’m grateful
there are so many good books to read for enjoyment and inspiration.
On another note, last year I read 97 books and so far
this year I have read 56 books and I’m reading two more right now. I also love
Louise Penny, Margaret Maron, Linda Castillo, and the list could go on and on.
including some fellow writers in my blog group Writers Who Kill.
What writers do you particularly enjoy and admire?
What about their writing strikes a chord with you?
I'm reading Ohio authors--Jessica Strawser and Kristen Lepionka, writing a blog on Janet Evanovich, and prepping for my on-line book club discussion of WK Krueger's Iron Lake.
ReplyDeleteI really have too many "favorite" to name one.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm reading A DRINK BEFORE THE WAR by Dennis Lahane. It was recommended by a friend who loves mysteries and lives in Boston, where the book is set. I almost didn't get beyond the very beginning, where he refers to smelling cordite, which is a well-known "error" that usually indicates a writer who does not know what he's talking about or has not done his research. However, I decided to reserve judgement--everybody's entitled to an occasional error--and am continuing to read it.
Margaret, I have three Ohio Authors I read, too. All three are in my NEO Sinc chapter. One is Amanda Flower, another is Casey Daniels, which is not her real name and she also has another writing name, too. The third is Shelly Costa, who has only written two to my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteKM, my blog wasn't long enough to include all the writers I enjoy. I could have added your name as well as Annette Dashofy and Jim Jackson to the list. I've just started Kait Carson's books, and I really enjoyed Shari Randall's first book, too. It's been awhile since I read Linda Rodriquez's books, but I know I liked them. I only read one of Warren Bull's books quite some time ago and enjoyed it, too. Last year I mentioned that I had read a Margaret Maron marathon by rereading all her books. I've started the same thing with Elizabeth George, too. Carla Damron writes some darn good books, too.
I love classics like Dick Francis. For more modern reading, I'm a fan of John Hart-- his narrative is evocative, though plots are bloody!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out, Gloria!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine not reading. Yes, sometimes I won't read an author that writes in a similar setting to mine when I am writing that particular book, but there is no way I would shy away from reading because I am a writer. It's my joy, my relaxation, and part of my learning process!
Carla, I have a whole shelf in my garage of Dick Francis books. I really liked them because I am a big lover of horses. I haven't read any John Hart books and don't remember hearing of it, either.
ReplyDeleteKait, I agree with you. It's very rare that I bother to turn on the TV. I much prefer reading and listening to one of my hundreds of music CDs. At one time I always watched Masterpiece Theater on PBS on Sundays, but for some reason I've stopped that after Downtown Abby ended.