reading: everything is fine

I wasn't sure whether to post this under writing or reading because it kind of has to do with both.

Let's talk about voice (again). Voice is so, so important. As we all know. So sometimes when I am writing and thinking about voice I decide it's best to just turn to the masters and read some authors who do a fantastic job with voice. Now here is the thing–you never want to copy someone's voice. But I find that the most inspiring authors do voice so well that you know you can never imitate it. But you can read it, admire it, and aspire to do for your character what they have done for theirs.

One of the masters of voice is Ms. Ann Dee Ellis. In the interest of full disclosure, Ann Dee is a dear friend and one of my favorite people in the world. But I read her writing before I knew her in person and I loved it then, too.

The fantastic book pictured above (and her other novel, THIS IS WHAT I DID, both have such wonderful, distinct, real characters.

But I don't just read her books for voice. They have plots that you have to gulp in one sitting, staying up way too late, ignoring your own writing. They have achingly beautiful moments and heartbreaking ones.

In short, Ann Dee writes life.

Do you want to win a copy of EVERYTHING IS FINE? A SIGNED copy? You do? Then please leave a comment on this post with the following:

1) name and e-mail or blog address (so I can contact you)

2) a sentence or two telling me a book you've read with excellent voice

The giveaway is open internationally, will run until this Saturday night MST (July 9) and you may enter once. Good luck!