Fan Fiction/Writing - Authors / Novels #1 - we'd like to learn from the best.

**sweet_zelda** · 09-23-2008, 03:55 AM

Hey everyone

This is the thread we've been talking about. The place where we can discuss some books/novels/short stories we've read and take a look at the authors' writing styles in order to learn from it.

So, let me start out with a very popular series right now: Twilight.
What do you like about the story, what don't you like? Have you read it at all? Do you think Stephenie is a good writer? What do you like about her writing style?

We can talk abotu all kinds of novels, so let's see what you're reading right now...

Jordyn1234567 · 09-25-2008, 05:36 PM

I have been debating about whether or not to read that series or not. I am not intriguied by vampires, yet since they're so popular, it can't be that bad. I read the summaries and it looks kind of interesting, but I don't really know...

Question to readers: What makes the books so...well, amazing? I am not really sure what everyone is so fascinated about. Is is the way they are written?

follow the sun · 09-25-2008, 05:53 PM

I haven't read the books, either, but they do seem really popular

So, what's so great about them?

Thanks for the thread, Lynn

AAVaria · 09-25-2008, 06:11 PM

I've read the books, I think they are good (most of them). Not the best writer, I find the characters a little shallow. However I could be slightly negative about the quality having read The Time Traveler's Wife just before it.

follow the sun · 09-25-2008, 08:43 PM

I haven't read that, either

trucherrygirl · 09-25-2008, 09:06 PM

I love Twilight! I think Stephenie is a fabulous writer! It does take awhile to get into her series (meaning the first few chapters of Twilight), but I think that could basically be said about any movie, book, novel, TV show, etc. The pilot episode of a series isn't going to be perfect. The first chapter or two of a novel probably won't be as spectacular either.

Having learned all about vampires from the mythology of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stephenie takes a very different approach to that of supernatural and vampire storytelling. I've read the whole saga, but I think I like the first one the best. There's just something so extra special about it and the pulsating romance throughout is so palpable it jumps off the page. Her writing style takes a bit to get used to, but it is dark and seductive as any good supernatural, psychological romance should be.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

follow the sun · 09-25-2008, 09:13 PM

It usually does take a few chapters to really get into a book

I loved Anne Rice's vampire series, and I liked Buffy and Angel, so I'm up for some vampires

How does she write the romantic relationships in her story?

trucherrygirl · 09-25-2008, 09:18 PM

She writes the relationships amazingly well, especially Edward and Bella. If you're not in love with Edward by the end of Twilight, then you might have to read it again!! Their relationship is the one that is the main focus of the 4 books and develops and changes the most.

Oh, yay! Another Buffy fan! I also love Tru Calling too.

I've never read any of Anne Rice's books, though.

One of my roommates is trying to get me into the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind.

follow the sun · 09-25-2008, 09:23 PM

I would definitely recommend Anne Rice

I started by reading her book The Witching Hour, which became a series. And then I got into the Vampire Chronicles. I really loved them!

I have heard of Edward and Bella. Their relationship sounds beautiful.

trucherrygirl · 09-25-2008, 09:43 PM

The only thing that bothers me about Anne Rice is that she is vehemently against fanfic. That pisses me off. GRRR...

But her books sound very good!

follow the sun · 09-25-2008, 09:48 PM

That's true, I just learned that recently

But her books are really good

Especially The Witching Hour. It takes place over many many generations of a family of witches. but not witches in any stereotypical way. You really get into these worlds she creates. and then she did some crossing between the witch and the vampire worlds, and that made it all the more rich

**Nonna** · 09-25-2008, 10:45 PM

I bought the two first books but haven't read them yet. My friend Autumn started reading them and said she couldn't out it down. She told me I should drop the book I'm reading and start these because that's how good they are

So I am really intrigued and can't wait to check it out because I've heard pretty much the same thing from everyone about the books.

She stayed up until 5 in the morning just to finish the first one

**sweet_zelda** · 09-25-2008, 11:22 PM

I didn't really know what they were about when I started reading them, but as Nonna said, I couldn't put it down once I started.

I like Stepehenie's ideas a lot. She writes in first person narrative, so mostly we learn the story from Bella's eyes.
My own perspective on the books has changed a lot while I was reading the books. I loved Bella and her relationship during the first book, however, while reading the second book, her description of Jake and Bella's relationship won me over. And then in book 3 I was pretty much set on the fact that Edward was an idiot.
I can't really say anything about the fourth book, because I didn't read it. Everything she has built up to she destroyed in the fourth book. I don't want to give too much away though

I think for me the story was always about this incredible love story, with the vampires just as an added bonus to the tragedy

Bella has a very keen sense of observation sometimes, I think, but she has extreme self esteem issues while being very arrogant at some other times. I honestly don't know how to really describe it

Here is Stephenie Meyer's personal site on Twilight: StephenieMeyer.com | Twilight Series | Twilight

I don't know who Anne Rice is

AAVaria · 09-25-2008, 11:45 PM

I've tried to read Anne Rice before... but couldnt really get into it...

As a huge sci-fi/fantasy fan, my favourite author is Anne McCaffrey, and I love how in the last few years she changed her mind about fanfiction (she used to be against it, but now she's okay with it).

follow the sun · 09-25-2008, 11:50 PM

Really Nila? I love all her books I've read, including her non-witchy/vampirey books. Personal taste

I've never really read what i would consider science fiction, Nila, although I do love Star Trek