Every
book that has joined my favourite list
has taught me lots of writing lessons.
Roald Dahl’s books taught me the benefits of wild, wacky and wicked humour. His
unique characters: the grumpy couple in The Twits, the funny Mr Willy Wonka in
Charlie and the Chocolate factory, the adorable George in George’s Marvellous
Medicine who gives his Grandma a medicine that makes her grow and grow and
grow, has nurtured in me the urge to
create characters that kids will love. I am still trying to do that. Though you
have been a great teacher, Mr Dahl, I am a slow student.
J.K.Rowling with her seven book saga on witches and wizards taught me the benefit of
creating unique settings and plotting in detail. Each Potter book was full of surprises. Every question I had in
my mind was answered by Rowling as though she had read the questions via telepathy. Rowling has made me see the
benefits of extensive plotting especially when we plan a series. I am
constantly amazed at how Rowling managed to hold a firm grip on all the
characters, the various plot threads, without her books plunging into dull terrain. Her ability to
offer something new and interesting in each book made me gasp.
Artemis
Fowl by Eoin Colfer, another of my firm favourites has urged me to create
characters that this generation of gizmo friendly children will enjoy. For a person like me not blessed with techno
abilities, it’s difficult to emulate Colfer. The humour in the Fowl books makes
them wonderful, as do all the
characters.
Rick
Riordan the author of the Percy Jackson series who has dished up history in a fabulous never seen before way, makes me
rush towards Indian Mythological Creatures to see if I can rustle up some of
Riordan’s magic. As of now, none of the Indian characters want to join my
literary world. Perhaps they don’t trust me to write their stories.
The
Princess Diaries books by Meg Cabot taught me the art of staying true to the
target readers. The reason the books are so successful are because they echo
the mindset, desires and attitudes of the generation they are catering to. Its
important that our stories resonate with
the readers to make an emotional connection.
What
have your favourite books and authors taught you? What is the reason you read
them again and again? Please share your
views with us.
