What I learned from other writers
March 13th, 2008 by Edie Ramer
The idea for today’s blog came from one Michelle wrote a few weeks ago. Since we had agents blogging on my Thursdays (not that I minded 
) and then I had ideas for other blogs, I’m first posting it today. I’m even talking about some of the same authors Michelle mentioned, because they’re a few of my favorites.
So here’s what I learned from writers, past and present:
Jane Austen: Relationships are fascinating, even if it is family and friends, with all their quirks and faults. As Jane said, “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” And isn’t it universally agreed that everyone loves a romance story?
Dick Francis: Show a likeable hero right off the bat (or horse), one who acts honorably even when no one else does. Put this person in a pile of trouble that gets worse with each chapter, and readers will gallop to the bookstores to buy your books. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist. It’s okay to mock me.)
Jennifer Crusie, Meg Cabot, Janet Evanovich, MaryJanice Davidson: Voice and humor. Get some. Sell a lot of books. Attitude counts.
Karin Tabke: Write with an energy that pulses in every sentence and give your characters a passion that jumps off the pages.
The authors of Nancy Drew books: Girls can be brave, smart, solve crimes, and drive convertibles.
Jayne Ann Krentz: Women can be brave, smart, solve crimes, and have romances with men who are brave, smart, solve crimes, and have romances with women who … well, you know.
Nora Roberts: A writer can keep getting better, even when you’re a great writer to begin with.
Sarah Addison Allen and Elizabeth Gilbert: Write beautifully and readers will find you.
What have you learned from other writers?
16 Responses to “What I learned from other writers”
I’ve discovered the joy of reading from authors, but I have to tell you that I saw Geralyn Lucas (Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy) last night and I learned that there is a book in each one of us. Hmmm.
Edie, I love your blog! The most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come from those around me. My Magical partners have always impressed me with their fearless revision process. Seriously, I love how y’all stick with something till it’s perfect. And, my editor totally changed my life when it comes to seeing my work from a different angle. Until Margaret, the revision process was pretty much Greek to me. And when I see friends like Karin Tabke, Amy Knupp, Jan Kenny, Cynthia Eden, and other Magical friends so successful it inspires me to reach my potential. Yep, I usually look in my own backyard of friends, and the garden there is beautiful.
Edie, as you say, a lot of your influences are also mine.
I think the biggest lesson I get out of reading great authors is that as long as you are passionate about what you write, it will shine through and grip your reader.
Barbara, I read that in your blog. It sounds like an awesome book. I wish I’d been there to hear her talk.
LaDonna, I love it that this writing community we influences you. They do that to me too!
Michelle, absolutely! Jane Austen wrote what she was passionate about. Families and relationships. Liz writes paranormal romance because that’s what fascinates her.
Edie, thank you for including me is such elite company! I’ll say this as far as a lesson learned from a fellow writer: I have this friend who I affectionately refer to as the Energizer Bunny. She never quits. Ever. And during her continued journey she graciously spreads her kindness, enthusiasm, and love of the written word with everyone. If she ever so much as thought about chucking it all in, I would personally go to Wisconsin and kick her 4′ 11″ ass! So boiled down, the lessen I have learned from this writer is, heart trumps all.
Karin, four foot 11? I wish. What’s funny about this is I think of Marcia as the Energizer Bunny. (She even has a pet bunny!)
Thanks for being such a sweetheart.
Hey, I think we learned the same thing from Jayne Ann Krentz!
From Linda Howard, I learned that stories can be gritty and dark and still sexy and romantic.
Cindy, I think a lot of readers learned that from JAK. I’m reading one of her Jayne Castle books right now.
Linda Howard can be funny too. Those are my favorite books of hers, when she shows her humor.
I tried three times to comment on this blog and each time I got interrupted and am first now getting to it. (Sigh)
LOL on Karin’s answer. So true. Authors need to write what they’re passionate about. I cannot envision trying to write a comedy. It just isn’t my forte and I have no doubt that any attempt would be disasterous. On the other hand … give me a paranormal and I’m a happy camper.
Liz, you know the place where you fit. Like Karin said, “heart trumps all.” It took me longer to find my fit.
I’ve read the Evanovich books so many times, and now am listening to them over and over, and I’ve learned that you write very simple, but it written well, it’s very powerful. The more I listen to her stuff, the more I realize how very good a writer she is.
From her, I’ve learned that the less you do, the more powerful it is when you do.
Tons more, of course! The answer to that question could be a book in itself!
Spy, that’s a great lesson. Less is more.
I was at Evanovich’s site and saw the Ranger T-shirts and thought of you.
Edie, what I’ve learned along my writing path came mostly from un-published authors, such as my writing professor (I’m pretty sure he’s not published).
BUT insofar as focus and dedication, I got all that from my writing buds. One taught me stuff like HOW TO WRITE A GREAT HOOK. That red-head is so brilliant at it that I refer to her as “The Madam.”
Kath, too funny. And I’m not a redhead anymore. I’m dark blond now, and my hair is longer. I need to update my picture.