Authors that inspire me
Eric Carle and Margaret Wise Brown are two children’s artists whom I have loved, especially as and adult reading their books to my children and in my classrooms. Eric Carle uses such vibrant colors that had my son reaching for The Very Hungry Caterpillar over and over again. He used rhyme in an easy way that soothed as the story was read. Another favorite book of my son’s was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? In the car, we would use this as the basis for a game. Margaret Wise Brown’s book Goodnight Moon was my daughter’s favorite. It was a calming read at bed time. She would grab the book and bring it over to the rocking chair, every-single-night. It is a book I give for Baby Showers. I enjoyed the rhythmic rhymes and the soothing voice that came from the text. It was something special that the author created and I haven’t seen anything like it since it was published. Although I choose not to attempt rhyming text in my picture books, the stories these authors created were special and engaging. I use those guidelines in my own writing and creating to bring setting and character together in a way that is memorable and comforting.
Oscar Wilde became my favorite author once I started teaching literature. His ability to play with words and make you think twice about what was just said is incredible. He is funny, pointedly satirical, and tells wonderful stories about how people interact and the societies in which they lived. When my husband and I traveled to Dublin, Ireland several years ago, I was able to find his monument in a park in Merrion Square. It was Oscar Wilde to a “T”. I couldn’t help laughing at the languid position on a gigantic rock. I aspire to his level of word play within my writing. I haven’t achieved it yet, but with the right story it will be a blast to work with his favored technique of epigrams.
Nora Roberts, such a wonderful writer! I fall in love with just about everyone of her characters. She has a way of having the reader relate to each character to root for them, cry for them and with them. The best part is that her characters aren’t helpless females or males who must be saved. Her series are wonderful, especially when they involve families. The dynamics between the parent, the siblings, and their children are such that you become invested in their successes and failures. Her stories set in Ireland are breath taking. I can’t wait to go back to Ireland, but until then, Nora Roberts transports me there, remembering the scenery and people with ease. When I create my character outlines I definitely think of Nora Roberts and how she develops her characters; the strengths and weaknesses in each, as well as, how this character’s relationship with others helps each character to develop. Every time I write, I think I am developing more and creating a character that the reader will be invested in and want to champion.
Who are your favorite writers and why? Is there a favorite book you return to time and again. Think about why and let me know😊
Until then,
Cheers to the storyteller in all of us!