I'm halfway through reading HOUSE RULES by Jodi Picoult. She's one of my favorite authors--one I can trust. Here's why I have faith in her work, and what writers can learn from her books:Open with a scene that instantly connects readers to the main character
Open with a scene that is active and shows a quick, sympathetic glimpse into the MC's regular life "before."
Breadcrumbs should be dropped in small bits at a time
The author drops in subtle hints that will come to fruition later. We don't know where the story will lead, but we're confident the author will tell us what we need to know when we need to know it.
Distinctive character voices
The book I'm reading has many points of view...five so far. But each one has a clear voice and their own, sometimes conflicting, objectives. The story's taking shape, and I'm confident the author will bring these characters together when the time is right.
Each character, scene, and bit of backstory should matter
I don't know exactly how and why all these details are important, but I know they are. This author does not waste the reader's time.
Be fair to both sides of a controversial subject
Picoult is fearless with subject matter, but is always fair to both sides. After each of her stories, I'm reminded to search deep within issues, understanding why both sides are passionate about their positions.
Each of Picoult's books not only entertains, but holds a special place in my heart. Great authors give their readers precious gifts: a unique reading experience, and something to strive for.
Do you have a favorite author whom you trust? Who is it, and what keeps you coming back for more?
Great post, Julie! I've got a few favorites, but the #1 thing that keeps me coming back are the characters. If an author can create unique and vivid characters in my mind, people that I connect with and care about from page one, I'll keep coming back. :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Julie. Happy Saturday!
ReplyDeleteI think I trust Pat Conroy and Michael Slade. With Conroy, I was scared to read another because I fell in love with "Beach Music" and just knew anything else would disappoint. I found this to be false. He's brilliant, and everything he does is like finding a vein of gold in the mountainside. With Slade, although his Special X series is some of the darkest stuff out there, they have never let me down.
Thanks for the post.
-Jimmy
These are all really good points to keep in mind, especially during revisions. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff as always, Julie! My favorite nugget here was: The author does not waste the reader's time. I love that!!
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to pick up a book and trust the author to the point that you'll follow them anywhere. I've trusted many authors though. And I love finding new ones to trust.
ReplyDeleteI usually trust Preston & Child, but their last book received such horrible reviews, I haven't read it. I don't want to blow that trust.
ReplyDeleteThose are all things that make me stick with an author. I love Brandon Sanderson, because I can always trust him to deliver a fabulous, unique story with incredible, complex characters.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteChristie because although the murder is there it's my imagination that paints the scene -- giving it as much gore as I wish.
Great post. Trusting an author is big for me - I love sequels and companion books. One of the newest I've come to trust is Ric Riordan.
ReplyDelete(I'm having troubles posting for some reason it's making me anonymous - I'll try again, but it's Jemi, not Anon! :))
It's the knowledge that the ride wil be worth it. Lots of my favourite authors went into uncharted and experimental territory but you give them that trust.
ReplyDeleteMy friend just sent HOUSE RULES my way. Now I'm even more anxious to read it. Love your breakdown especially the trust issue. I love John Irving. He had me at THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP and hasn't let me go since.
ReplyDeleteMy fave author? Hemingway. Died too young, but I can still re-read his stories with pleasure.
ReplyDeleteJane
Your reasons are good ones, and marks the work of a good writer. I like Jeffrey Archer's work. He's very good at putting in simple details that eventually fit right into the story's conclusion.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie. My favourite author who kept me through all her previous series of books and keeps me hooked through her now, somewhat controversial step in Christian fiction, is Anne Rice. Even though I am not a Christian myself, I have deep respect for her work and I always enjoy her new books because of the years and years I spent reading her previous vampire works. New or old, I always feel inspired after reading an Anne Rice.
ReplyDeleteI recently read HARVESTING THE HEART by Jodi Picoult and I found it a deeply moving book. She is a fantastic author.
I have always enjoyed, and trusted, Jan Karon, who writes the ficitional series on Mitford.
ReplyDeleteHer characters are real, their problems are too, and she does not indulge in easy resolutions. But there is lots of humor and happiness along the way as well.
I want to be able to trust EVERY author when I open their book. Most do not let me down.
ReplyDeleteAs a yet to be published writer, there were two things on your list that struck me. First was opening with the MC's regular life before. I so agree with this point, yet we are constantly told to immediately start off with conflict & action. But how are we supposed to know gauge the conflict if we haven't had a glimpse of the MC's life before it?
Second is Picoult's use multiple POV. I love this technique & have used it myself, only to be criticized for telling the story too broadly, having too many voices, even though they are each succinct.
As a new writer, I use authors such as Picoult, as a standard, but I can't "get away" with using the same techniques as they do.
Julie, I've been thinking about that last point quite a bit lately. "Be fair to both sides of a controversial subject." I think Laurie Halse Anderson did this in Wintergirls, showing many sides and interests in the protagonist's issue. Jerry Spinelli did such an incredible job of this in Stargirl.
ReplyDeleteContinuing Sheri's point, Laurie Halse Anderson has never let me down. Talk about not wasting a word...Speak is the perfect example, though everything she writes blows me away. I feel she meets all the points you made. Great post! I hope I can deliver in the same way with my novels:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book--or rather a good author to read. :) I don't know if I really follow authors. I just have books here and there that I devour and love.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great post and the important list to keep in mind!
ReplyDeleteI like this! It is so true that there is a relationship of trust the forms between an author and their "fans". I have my favorites-- and I know they will not waste my time or disappoint.So far so good.
ReplyDeleteJane Austen, Marion Keyes, Diana Gabaldon-- to name a few lately.
Love this: Open with a scene that is active and shows a quick, sympathetic glimpse into the MC's regular life "before."
ReplyDeleteExcept that in my case, my first chapter does not necessarily show normal, more the point of no return. :)
Awesome points.
ReplyDeleteI like Brandon Sanderson: besides ELANTRIS I love all his books, they compel me to read. The Way of Kings was the best book that I have read in a long time… so good in fact I started to read it for the second time right after I completed it.
Trust is vitally important when writing/reading a book. It's what keeps people reading. Without it, the suspension of disbelief can't happen.
ReplyDeleteI've never read Jody Piccoult before. Maybe I should. :-)
I love Piccoult, specifically My Sister's Keeper. I recently had my trust for an author broken...Jean M Auel with the Land of Painted Caves, and I can say that it is truly heart breaking. And from reading reviews by other people who were as disappointed as I was, your readers will be just as enthusiastic about ruining your reputation as they were about building it. Really great post.
ReplyDeleteThese are good points to keep in mind. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
ReplyDeleteOne of my reading loves is traditional mystery, and I was just thinking about some of these exact points when I finished a book called BRAT FARRAR by Josephine Tey (late 1940s). This is such a great book! But because it's older, the opening doesn't grab the way openings must these days, so readers have to be a little patient. But Tey has a way with details that creates total trust, and as a reader you know they will mean something important along the way. Combined with complex and interesting characters you can't help being deeply interested in, even the ones you don't like, the details pull you right in and you're there for the ride, which is paid off powerfully through emotions. Great food for thought, Julie. Thankyou!
ReplyDeleteThank you, exactly what I needed to be reminded of today.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love the "breadcrumbs" thing... it keeps me hooked when reading a book.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think Sarah Dessen makes me always go back to read her books. ;)
I haven't fallen just one author in a really long time. Mostly I'm trying to keep up with all the great debuts that keep coming out!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely do, and if you know me for any length of time, you'll soon learn who they are. (Yes...more than one.)
ReplyDeleteDickens, Shakespeare, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. All of these authors keep me coming back because their mastery of the English language is so beautiful - they are painters with their words. They also, by the way, happen to tell fascinating stories, whether complex like Dickens, or succinct and to the point like Lewis. No author would go wrong in studying these writers more in-depth...which is probably why they're all still on the syllabi for English classes all over the world. :)
Len Lambert loves Jodi Piccoult too.
ReplyDeleteI feel like that about Alice Hoffman and Anne Tyler. Both of them have impressed me over and over with character and story.
These are great points.
ReplyDeleteI always felt as if I could trust Pat Conroy and Margaret Atwood.
Hey there Julie! I trust so many authors it's ridiculous. Honestly, there have been very few times that I've been burned so badly that I wouldn't read anything they wrote again. Most of the time though, I find myself pleasantly surprised and willing, if not wanting to read more from them. Most recently, I'm learning to trust Patrick Rothfuss. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI know this is crazy, but I've never read a Jodi Picoult book. I've heard so many positive things about her, though, I need to pick one up! Great list, Julie!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Hi Julie! Can't say I've read anything by your favorite author, but I'll have to in the future. You made some great points in your post.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and have read many of her books. HOUSE RULES is one of my favorites. She's a brilliant writer and I agree with everything you've said about her. Can you believe she publishes a new book every single year? :)
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ReplyDeleteBanned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)
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