From: Elizabeth

Anyone here besides myself read and liked the works of Patrick O'Brian or Lois McMaster Bujold?

I'm a great fan of Lois McMaster Bujold, a respected science fiction author who has won several major awards for her writing. She has created a great character in Miles and placed him in a well-thought out, believable setting. He and the society he lives in are complex and yet logical. Over the course of several books, we've seen Miles grown and change, struggle with and overcome his severe physical limitations.

I think Miles' unfailing good humor is a major reason why his character is so appealing to readers. Instead of sulking about the bad hand fate dealt him, he approaches difficulties with an attitude that he can conquer them, though it may take him longer than some people. While he's seen as an outcast by many in his society because of his physical afflications, he shrugs off their reaction and approaches his life with intelligence, courage, and a determination to succeed.

He's a character we like, and we root for him to solve problems, confront prejudice, and, yes, get the girl before the book ends.

If you're looking for ways to create believeable and appealing characters, studying Bujold's writings is a good start.

Elizabeth

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From: Dawn

Oh, how delightful, a fellow Vorkosigan fan! Yes, I agree with your comments; Bujold's characterizations, even of secondary chars like Ivan, are a joy.

I would love to create characters half so engaging and interesting. Even the bad guys are usually nicely complex. Take poor Bothari; I still mourn him, and he was really quite horrible.

Plus, Lois makes me laugh out loud a lot--I love that.

Dawn

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From: Kristin

Here are my favorites --

2 by John Irving -- *A Prayer for Owen Meany,* and *Cider House Rules.*

Wallace Stegner --- *Crossing to Safety*

I just finished Alice Sebold's *Lovely Bones* this weekend -- and was amazed and humbled by it.

I also wanted to suggest, as interesting fiction reading during this workshop, *Intrusions* by Ursula Hegi. Hegi's protagonist is a novelist, and the book's other characters are the novelist's characters. She has conversations directly with her characters, and they argue with her about what they do and don't want to do. Fun reading.

Kristin

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From: Dawn

Kristin mentioned two books I enjoyed: The Poisonwood Bible and The House of Sand and Fog. The latter amazed me in its portrayal of two vastly different main chars who were both almost too flawed to care about; fascinating.

Anyone here besides myself read and liked the works of Patrick O'Brian or Lois McMaster Bujold?

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From: Dawn

Thank you for that, Elizabeth. I especially liked the image of each successive chosen road inexorably narrowing a character's (or a person's) possibilities. This image helped me see the plot/char dynamic more clearly.

That said, I have to say I almost didn't go there and read the column. Not because I thought it would be a waste of time, but because I have spent most of my life thus far reading instead of writing.

I need to write, regardless of how many gems are out there still to be read.

Dawn

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From: Jim

Well, glad to see everyone's not stuck in the mystery/pop fiction catagory with me. I've read everything available locally by Stuart Woods, Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, Clive Cussler, Sue Grafton, Lillian Jackson Braun, Randy Ford, Faye Kellerman (except one serious novel) Joseph Kellerman (I prefer Stephen Walsh White for the same concept), Navada Barr (runs hot & cold), Tony Hillerman, Beverly Connor <hint: I'm waiting!!! >, the Travis McGee series by John McDonald, some Patterson (again, hot & cold), Lee Child, Michael Connelly, much of John Jakes, John Sandford, and Jeffery Deemer . I think the Kay Scarpetta series of Cornwell works, but much of her newer series feels like an imposter. Especially disliked Southern Cross. The characters just didn't "jell" like the originals. One thought for serial novelists: some of us gain comfort in "knowing" familiar characters, anticipating their needs and actions. It takes the story to a new depth, if handled properly. How can I know this person like a brother/sister and yet be amazed every time?
JimA

and I forgot to mention Carl Hiaasen, David Baldacci and John Grisham (on their good days) some begin to seem boilerplate or "then school of" their style. Even Clive Cussler, now rich, admits his assistant!
JimA-- and thanks for the leads!

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From: Jennifer

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From: Pamela

The following are the first ten authors that came to mind. There is no particular order, all were equally enjoyed for different reasons.

Barbara Kingsolver - Almost everything she has ever written from Animal Dreams, Pigs in Heaven, High Tide in Tucson to Poisonwood Bible and Prodigal Summer. Have not yet read Small Wonder.

Armistead Maupin - Tales of the City (6 volumes), Baby Cakes and Night Listener

Wallace Stegner - Crossing to Safety\

Natalie Goldberg - Thunder and Lightning

Anne Lamont - Bird by Bird

Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged

Anais Nin - The Journals of Anais Nin

Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. - The Tao of Psychology, Goddesses in Everywoman

Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D. - Women Who Run With the Wolves

David Richo - Shadow Dance

Pamela

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From: Elizabeth

Here's a great column on writing:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/23/books/23QUIN.html

If you're not already registered at the New York Times site,
you will be asked to register (no cost involved).

Elizabeth