Writing Influences
At the start of our monthly meetings of the London Writers Society, we normally go around the room with everyone introducing themselves and describing their current work. Quite a few of these writers also include the names of other authors who have influenced their writing, which prompted me to think about my own.
At last night's meeting, one person who had recently read both Goliath and The Second Shooter said I "definitely had my own style". Since he said he really enjoyed both books, I'm assuming this is a good thing.
I know one author who influenced me was Arthur Hailey. For those of you too young to know who he was, he wrote classics such as "Hotel", "Airport" and "The MoneyChangers". When I read his novels, I liked the fact that while I was enjoying the story, I was also learning a lot about the particular industry that he was featuring in his book. He also used multi-strand plot lines which come together in the book, something which I also like to do.
For example, in "Goliath", one of the main characters is bipolar, so that is an element that I explore in the novel. All of the main characters in the book are dealing with their own issues, but the plot lines merge as we get closer and closer to the climax of the book.
In "The Second Shooter", the story continues with the main plot line about the Kennedy assassination conspiracy, but again, there are other plot lines complicating the lives of each of the main characters.
One reader said she thought "Goliath" reminded her of the Evanovich Plum series. Although I'm not really conscious of that influence, it doesn't really surprise me as I've read and enjoyed several of Janet Evanovich's novels.
One book that I know influenced me was "Story Trumps Structure" by Steven James. He describes a style of writing called "Organic Writing" which I think describes my own style.
Other authors that I enjoy and thus, probably affect my writing style are J.D. Robb, John Grisham and David Baldacci.
More directly, I must also give credit to my critique group within the London Writers Society. They continually remind me to simplify my writing, particularly by suggesting that I make the dialogue in my books less formal. Their assistance, along with all of my beta readers, have greatly influenced my writing.
At last night's meeting, one person who had recently read both Goliath and The Second Shooter said I "definitely had my own style". Since he said he really enjoyed both books, I'm assuming this is a good thing.
I know one author who influenced me was Arthur Hailey. For those of you too young to know who he was, he wrote classics such as "Hotel", "Airport" and "The MoneyChangers". When I read his novels, I liked the fact that while I was enjoying the story, I was also learning a lot about the particular industry that he was featuring in his book. He also used multi-strand plot lines which come together in the book, something which I also like to do.
For example, in "Goliath", one of the main characters is bipolar, so that is an element that I explore in the novel. All of the main characters in the book are dealing with their own issues, but the plot lines merge as we get closer and closer to the climax of the book.
In "The Second Shooter", the story continues with the main plot line about the Kennedy assassination conspiracy, but again, there are other plot lines complicating the lives of each of the main characters.
One reader said she thought "Goliath" reminded her of the Evanovich Plum series. Although I'm not really conscious of that influence, it doesn't really surprise me as I've read and enjoyed several of Janet Evanovich's novels.
One book that I know influenced me was "Story Trumps Structure" by Steven James. He describes a style of writing called "Organic Writing" which I think describes my own style.
Other authors that I enjoy and thus, probably affect my writing style are J.D. Robb, John Grisham and David Baldacci.
More directly, I must also give credit to my critique group within the London Writers Society. They continually remind me to simplify my writing, particularly by suggesting that I make the dialogue in my books less formal. Their assistance, along with all of my beta readers, have greatly influenced my writing.
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