Lillian Keith's Blog, page 39
October 18, 2021
Author Influence: Elizabeth George Speare
Sorry if you got a post from me in your home feed, and then it mysteriously disappeared. I was in the middle of editing this post, when I accidentally published it (note to self, don't hit enter when putting in the post's title *slams palm onto forehead*) Lol
Anyway, today I wanted to share one of the authors that influenced me as a writer: Elizabeth George Speare!
(Warning! I'm going to be talking about her works, so there may be a few spoilers in there.)
So, ironically, I love writing medieval fantasy/general fantasy for middle grade. But Speare was a middle grade historical fiction writer. I started reading her books when I was in middle school going into high school. (Some were for school; the others my mom read aloud for our family reading time.)
I remember young writer me was amazed at how an author could connect readers so deeply to the book's characters. I mean, how could someone's words cause us to laugh and cry and feel anger alongside a fictional person? How did an author tap into a reader's emotions like that? At that point, I realized that I wanted my characters to connect to readers on that emotional level. I wanted my books to be powerful, moving, impactful, and deep.
Recently, I reread Speare's book The Witch of Blackbird Pond and was once again reminded of why I love her work. Her skillful weaving of words and vivid details brought me into her story's world. I felt the wind blowing through the meadow near Hannah's house while the sun set; I shivered alongside Kit while she sat in jail (accused of witchcraft); and I heard the rustling of grass as Nat and Kit fixed Hannah's roof.
And of course, the complex characters! Once again, Speare connected me deeply to her MC. I felt Kit's confusion as wary townsfolk stared judgmentally at her. I felt her frustration with her uncle, and her joy (and fear) of teaching Prudence to read (despite the girl's mother's hatred of Kit). And even with the characters that you hated, or disagreed with, you found there was more to their character; another hidden level that made you sympathize with them despite their many flaws.
Speare is an amazing author whose work had an impact on the direction I wanted to take as a writer. I loved her themes of not being prejudice against those who were different than you; and she did it so well with real, flawed characters who learned this theme, sometimes the hard way.
Who is your favorite author? How did they inspire or impact you as a writer? Do they write in the same genre as you, or something completely different? Send me your thoughts!
Anyway, today I wanted to share one of the authors that influenced me as a writer: Elizabeth George Speare!
(Warning! I'm going to be talking about her works, so there may be a few spoilers in there.)
So, ironically, I love writing medieval fantasy/general fantasy for middle grade. But Speare was a middle grade historical fiction writer. I started reading her books when I was in middle school going into high school. (Some were for school; the others my mom read aloud for our family reading time.)
I remember young writer me was amazed at how an author could connect readers so deeply to the book's characters. I mean, how could someone's words cause us to laugh and cry and feel anger alongside a fictional person? How did an author tap into a reader's emotions like that? At that point, I realized that I wanted my characters to connect to readers on that emotional level. I wanted my books to be powerful, moving, impactful, and deep.
Recently, I reread Speare's book The Witch of Blackbird Pond and was once again reminded of why I love her work. Her skillful weaving of words and vivid details brought me into her story's world. I felt the wind blowing through the meadow near Hannah's house while the sun set; I shivered alongside Kit while she sat in jail (accused of witchcraft); and I heard the rustling of grass as Nat and Kit fixed Hannah's roof.
And of course, the complex characters! Once again, Speare connected me deeply to her MC. I felt Kit's confusion as wary townsfolk stared judgmentally at her. I felt her frustration with her uncle, and her joy (and fear) of teaching Prudence to read (despite the girl's mother's hatred of Kit). And even with the characters that you hated, or disagreed with, you found there was more to their character; another hidden level that made you sympathize with them despite their many flaws.
Speare is an amazing author whose work had an impact on the direction I wanted to take as a writer. I loved her themes of not being prejudice against those who were different than you; and she did it so well with real, flawed characters who learned this theme, sometimes the hard way.
Who is your favorite author? How did they inspire or impact you as a writer? Do they write in the same genre as you, or something completely different? Send me your thoughts!
