tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post9193330367858821284..comments2023-10-11T09:22:33.136-04:00Comments on Paperback Writer: Mr. Ray on WritingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-35422175870089065532011-01-08T01:07:17.278-05:002011-01-08T01:07:17.278-05:00Emma Bull's War for the Oaks gave me my first ...Emma Bull's <i>War for the Oaks</i> gave me my first real taste of urban fantasy, and taught me to look beyond the usual elf stereotypes, and put my own spin on folklore and legend.Tamithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-12178807664041745852011-01-07T14:30:34.572-05:002011-01-07T14:30:34.572-05:00Authors that have influenced me? Hmm.
Well, you. ...Authors that have influenced me? Hmm.<br /><br />Well, you. Holly Lisle also, much for the same reason. You both have incredibly strong characters, people who truly live on the page. I don't think I've gotten close yet with my own characterization, but re-reading your (plural) books are good reminders of what I'm aiming for.<br /><br />Also Agatha Christie. The first time I read her "10 Little Indians" I stopped just after everyone had died and before the great reveal of whodunnit. She freaked me out so much with the deaths that I couldn't bear to read the twist. And again, I don't think I've come close to drawing my readers into my stories the way she did, or to hide the story twists so masterfully, but that's my goal...Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00415819230337026236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-50417509462657793412011-01-07T14:17:31.640-05:002011-01-07T14:17:31.640-05:00Since books were my escape as a child, a lot of au...Since books were my escape as a child, a lot of authors have influenced my own writing. The one that stands out at the moment is Mercedes Lackey. The first time I picked up one of her Valdemar books I was hooked. They were also the ones that made me dream and realize I could add my own stories. That was what developed into me creating entirely new characters and worlds for myself.Signyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02345704755698666854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-10342919604040044112011-01-07T11:54:57.428-05:002011-01-07T11:54:57.428-05:00Jean D'Costa---as a kid, I didn't like rea...Jean D'Costa---as a kid, I didn't like reading. Boy how times have changed. I loved "Escape to Last Man Peak." I haven't read in over 25 years but I still remember the delight it gave me.klettshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09851426794335492736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-10519970688567157942011-01-07T08:12:29.025-05:002011-01-07T08:12:29.025-05:00Howard Lamb. He's a writer of yesteryear, rece...Howard Lamb. He's a writer of yesteryear, recently reprinted, but he just knows how to build a world out of conflict, and thus make it real. I learned more about fiction from reading two of the "Swords from.." series, than I had in the previous five years....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-10524251700002586852011-01-07T06:35:43.490-05:002011-01-07T06:35:43.490-05:00Jennifer R Hubbard has influenced my writing, even...Jennifer R Hubbard has influenced my writing, even though I only read her book yesterday. But I've been reading her blog for a couple of years and found it very helpful. She's made me think about aspects of my writing I'd never considered before.Marinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08231656540175892601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-85187257693353183732011-01-07T04:30:39.121-05:002011-01-07T04:30:39.121-05:00Ursula LeGuin. Because you don't need big word...Ursula LeGuin. Because you don't need big words to have a big impact.Sakurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11185799195718667482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-73206833672337523472011-01-06T23:35:02.615-05:002011-01-06T23:35:02.615-05:00W. Michael Gear's Spider Trilogy taught me tha...W. Michael Gear's Spider Trilogy taught me that even when heroes win, they lose and always have an <i>appropriate</i> ending, not necessarily a happily-ever-after. The story still stays with me even though it was printed in the nineteen-eighties.<br /><br />Nora Roberts for how men think. She's brilliant at it; Andre Norton, Julian May, Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey for all the limitless possibilities of the imagination.<br /><br />Hmm... word verification: forkera. There's a word I could use...Jaye Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05595648222196000153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-69366155488499000342011-01-06T23:01:01.845-05:002011-01-06T23:01:01.845-05:00I would have to say Anne Mccaffrey has influenced...I would have to say Anne Mccaffrey has influenced me. Restoree by Anne Mccaffrey was one of the first SF I read that had a strong female protagonist.Lisa954https://www.blogger.com/profile/15146069849267900155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-84880286370861426112011-01-06T22:40:54.268-05:002011-01-06T22:40:54.268-05:00I'd love to win this book! I saw a great lect...I'd love to win this book! I saw a great lecture he gave (on some rural TV station, of all places). One of the things he said that's stuck with me is that writers block is a sign that you're going down the wrong road - you haven't listened to the story. <br />I really love Robin McKinley and Sheri Tepper.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06542241552330827589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-17538752733616670292011-01-06T17:07:29.661-05:002011-01-06T17:07:29.661-05:00Sylvia Louise Engdahl. There are plenty of others ...Sylvia Louise Engdahl. There are plenty of others I admire or who inspire, but her works planted the seeds of writing in me at a tender age.tenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07392765674853022489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-4406052000753371112011-01-06T16:19:30.338-05:002011-01-06T16:19:30.338-05:00I have been deeply influenced by Marjorie M. Liu. ...I have been deeply influenced by Marjorie M. Liu. Not only does her world building a thing to behold, her use of language makes me want to weep and be a more intentional writer at the same time.Chasing Inspriationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15758214952494727290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-55475722800584836652011-01-06T15:49:22.359-05:002011-01-06T15:49:22.359-05:00There's a number of writers I measure myself a...There's a number of writers I measure myself against and from whose writing I picked up a trick or two. One of my earliest influences was David Eddings. His relaxed style of storytelling influences me to this day. I also learned a lot about human nature from Terry Pratchett...and how you have to laugh, or you'll end up crying. I stand in awe of his ability to present the best and worst aspects of humanity in an unfailingly humorous way.Keita Harukanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-45665772394323512192011-01-06T14:49:57.735-05:002011-01-06T14:49:57.735-05:00Anybody else here every read Orson Scott Card'...Anybody else here every read Orson Scott Card's How To Write SciFi and Fantasy? I was really impressed with some of his commentary on characterization of aliens and worldbuilding.Anne V.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-76624186434810004912011-01-06T13:23:29.495-05:002011-01-06T13:23:29.495-05:00I have been amazed for more than 25 years by the b...I have been amazed for more than 25 years by the books of Jean M. Auel. She wrote tales that took me to another place even when this arena had not been very popular or wide read. I can still enjoy her works today.Claire Chervennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-44728705732772896602011-01-06T12:58:31.238-05:002011-01-06T12:58:31.238-05:00I think Lovecraft has had a big impact on my writi...I think Lovecraft has had a big impact on my writing. I'm always striving to capture that utter creepiness. <br /><br />I also believe Roahl Dahl of all people really prompted me to be a writer. I loved his stories when I was little, and always wanted to entertain like that.Atropa Rainwaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-8052129545387609472011-01-06T12:55:01.170-05:002011-01-06T12:55:01.170-05:00I picked this book up about 2 months ago. While I ...I picked this book up about 2 months ago. While I enjoyed it, nothing stands out from the writing side. I remember more from Stephen King's On Writing. <br /><br />I'm not sure if it's because King's book was one of the first 'writing' books I've read or if during the holidays was just a bad time to read this kind of book.<br /><br />I love Fahrenheit 451 and is probably to blame for my aversion to electronic readers. You will pry my paperbook from my hands when I'm dead and not before.Beth Caudillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07822034586213938181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-71002555252038549542011-01-06T12:53:05.257-05:002011-01-06T12:53:05.257-05:00I'm not sure that there are many writers who h...I'm not sure that there are many writers who haven't influenced me, so I'm just throwing my name in the hat.Joaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17348004395778859265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-90731437390268187822011-01-06T11:57:22.151-05:002011-01-06T11:57:22.151-05:00Ray Bradbury is to be aadmired for his unique writ...Ray Bradbury is to be aadmired for his unique writing. As for an influence Mary Doria Russell is exceptional and has changed my outlook.travelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06191803578622949052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-35428652278051962502011-01-06T11:52:22.595-05:002011-01-06T11:52:22.595-05:00Dean Koontz made me want to be writer, Gene Rodden...Dean Koontz made me want to be writer, Gene Roddenberry gave me a place to start, and Ray Bradbury is making my 2011 short story writing a bit of a challenge. I signed up for Write1Sub1 and attempting to Write a story and submit a story each week. That's a little much for me with the full time job, so I'm doing a half level. I owe this year to Ray.DM Bonannohttp://www.dmbonanno.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-50405653675892947082011-01-06T11:06:01.119-05:002011-01-06T11:06:01.119-05:00I decided at a young age to be a writer, but in mi...I decided at a young age to be a writer, but in middle school I read The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. It blew me away -- I identified so strongly with Aerin, and I felt like McKinley understood my heart. For the first time, I felt that I would survive middle school and grow into something wonderful, and I no longer felt alone. This author understood me. I wanted to write a book like that someday, a book that would touch a young girl and tell her she can achieve her dreams.<br /><br />McKinley still is on my greatly-admired list of authors.AIThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00256420680945546328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-25161560784095933332011-01-06T10:55:45.798-05:002011-01-06T10:55:45.798-05:00There's been a couple that I would say influen...There's been a couple that I would say influenced me. First, Ruth Chew. This goes back to grade school and a book called, [i] The Witch's Buttons [/i]. First time I ever read a story where magic was in our world and that just lit a fire in my imagination. Loved it. I have a copy actually. Judy Blume books. Her characters were so realistic to me. And Stephen King. I mean, it was KING I don't know of many people that didn't read him back in high school. I think I'm more of a fan of his early works, though.Maripathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17889925836344652436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-81058156675529003962011-01-06T10:45:10.782-05:002011-01-06T10:45:10.782-05:00Ever since I discovered Rob Thurman and her dark b...Ever since I discovered Rob Thurman and her dark but deeply bonded characters, I have tried to let her influence my more staid writing. I'm too fond of happiness and her characters help me remember to be meaner! <br />I also love Stardoc which has influenced any SciFi I've written since the series first was published. There are very distinct roots at work there in what I create.<br />I'd also like to mention Joss Wheedon and his co-writers, who consistently create new and exciting worlds full of witty humor and real heroes. Often we don't think about how screenwriters influence our dialog and thought processes through their work on TV and the big screen. I also blame Joss for the rest of my love affair with good SciFi.<br />***Also, got Frostfire in the mail-Thanks to much! I called everyone I know and told them to go buy your book(s)!Anne V.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-80302322559957383972011-01-06T10:40:33.472-05:002011-01-06T10:40:33.472-05:00Every man has his price, you just found mine with ...Every man has his price, you just found mine with Ray. (Did you know that the rocker Frank Black put an album of songs inspired by him? Called "The Cult of Ray.")<br /><br />Anyway, Terry Pratchett taught me a lot. Reading his Discworld books, I realized how little description he gives us. His prose, at times, is as spare as Elmore Leonard's, which is saying a lot. <br /><br />The downside of trying to write like that is that you can't pad. Every paragraph has to move the story forward, or describe a character succinctly. Quite a challenge.Bill Peschelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257587479467531187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-70180270228351858062011-01-06T10:34:59.865-05:002011-01-06T10:34:59.865-05:00I have a well-read copy of Zen already, but yes, B...I have a well-read copy of Zen already, but yes, Bradbury influenced me. So did Madeleine L'Engle and Andre Norton and Lois Duncan.<br /><br />I do like revisiting Zen to remind me not to overthink.Charlene Tegliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01483186891214783397noreply@blogger.com