It’s Valentine’s Day! Hug a writer!
And in honor of Official Love Day: who is the favorite writer you know personally, and what do you love about them?
Mine is my wife, who is the most talented writer I know and the most fun as well.
What about you?
Who’s Your Favorite Writer In Your Life and What Do You Love About Them?
Well, I don't know many writers, but I guess my favourite would be an 82 year old neighbour who runs the local U3A (University of the Third Age). Her hearing might be fading, but her mind is as brilliant as ever. Despite her age and all her commitments, she's very generous with her time and advice.
Lois Duncan — because her books were what made me realize I really wanted to be a writer. It was her style, and her choice of plots, and especially the way she ends here novels that convinced me.
Second would be John Green, mainly for the fact that I have never wanted to exist in a book universe until I read Looking for Alaska.
My favorite writer I don't know is Neil Gaiman because he takes me to odd, imaginative,and scary places where I don't have to stay if I don't want and my favorite writer I know, my sister Kristi Gold, who not only supports my writing but who gives me a great conversation starter with her Having the Sheikh's Baby book.
I have a great critique group, so them of course, but right now I'm thinking of Carol Lynch Williams. Not only does she write terrific books, The Chosen One and Glimpse most recently, but she puts together Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers every year, one of the best out there, along with taking care of five daughters and mentoring so many other writers with great kindness.
I'm from a working class atmosphere and I don't know anyone else that writes. My editor doesn't write for fun. She translates for fun but I love her work and her effort on my behalf. Thanks so much Oma! But I would like to take a moment to thank Judy Blume who told me the truth in eighth grade when no one else would! I have a mom but Ms. Blume was a very amazing surrogate. I know she will never see this, but I still want to thank her!
mbb
I would have to say the writers in my critique group, Viva Scriva! Here is a link to who we are from one of our members.
https://www.amberkeyser.com/Viva_Scriva.html
They are such a support and inspiration to me. I love them all!
I am blessed to know some great writers and I can't pick just one as my fav, but two of them stand out as particularly influential both in my life and in my writing. They are in my Wednesday Night Writers group and I am thankful every day for knowing them. Leigh Muller (www.writersroadhouse.com) and Adrian Fogelin ( (www.slowdancejournal.wordpress.comand http://www.adrianfogelin.com) are INCREDIBLY talented writers and wonderful friends. Check them out!
Dr. Michael Hardiman, a multi-published Irish psychologist and close friend of mine. A master of writing with professional rigor, but in layman's terms. I'm trying to get him to join the Bransforums, but he can oddly bashful for a guy who regularly conducts seminars!
As it just so happens, your wife is also my favorite writer I know personally. If "online and through email" counts as personally.
I suppose the only writer I know that is actually in my life is my husband. He's a great writer and it's nice to have someone in the house to critique my work and keep me out of the 'never gonna get published' gutter and push my head back into the 'gonna find an agent any day now' clouds. 🙂
It changes, but right now it's James Joyce or Sherwood Anderson. I love all the characters they created.
Neal Stephenson.
He makes me learn about new and cool things that I'd never considered before. He was the first person to make nanotechnology, networking, cryptography, linguistics, politics and economics interesting.
Also, he introduced me to walls of text done well, something that few can approach or replicate.
Pip
My favorite writer is my sister, Alison Barber. She's truly in love with writing.
More than once, I've discovered her at the computer or hunched over a notebook, speaking in the voices of her characters and then laughing at what they have to say. It's wacky and inspiring.
Is this where I get to put in a plug? I love my husband Edward Mooney's work, of course. His book "The Pearls of the Stone Man" is going to be made into a movie soon. It's sweet and romantic, just like he is, and it makes me laugh and cry, just like he does… wait… did I say that right?
C.S. Lewis. He's the only writer who created a world that I'd leave this one for.
My friend Vicki from writers group is a great writer. She paints a picture like nobody's business. She even makes me want to pick up some of the vampire-ish genre (I don't know what else to call it!) because she creates such interesting characters and paints such beautiful pictures.
Vikram Seth. I can't say I know him personally as I have met him just twice, but his poetry makes me feel that he is closer to me than most of my best friends. His poems kept me sane and alive for several years when I was fighting the dementors in my head. When I see him I feel the agape lighting up the world around with a warm glow. When I saw him three weeks ago, I was surprised at how the petite man in a faded blue sweater could light up a whole gathering with his presence. Totally love him.
I'd be happy if my husband even read what I wrote…
Mine would be Carrie White, with whom I have an online friendship. Her first book Upper Cut: Highlights of My Hollywood Life is going to be published by Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) in September. As a bookseller of seven years experience, it’s exciting to hear about the publishing process from a new author’s point of view.
Carrie befriended me after I posted to Michael Crichton’s Facebook page. She cut his hair for 38 years. It’s wonderful to exchange emails with someone who held Michael Crichton’s brilliant head in her hands.
Charles Bukowksi. Because he did not give a shit. As John Lennon said, 'Gimme some Truth.' That's all I want from an author.
My favorite writer is Carol D. Mitchell, I am not that good at writing, but reading What Happened to Suzy and The Mad Sister, solidified my opinion of this writer. Her depth as a writer crosses genres, and her knowledge of characters are second to none. What Happened to Suzy is sad and informative. Here is the link to meeting this writer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJhweOxE2gM&feature=plcp