The Best Book
I think non-fiction pretty much describes itself. It should be factual. It should be comprehensive, and it should be delivered with clear visual aids and interesting, intelligent language that engage and inform.
But what makes good fiction?
If you were to describe your favorite books' writing styles, themes, or tones, do you come up with any similarities? What do you think it says about you? I dunno, but I'd like your input.
I've been going over some of my favorite reads lately and here's a short excerpt of titles and description of writing style:
P.C. Hodgell - The Kencyrath Chronicles: The world is so well-described that even after the book is closed, the characters keep living, from the main characters you've grown to love, to the "extras," the characters who people the world and make it full and real. The main characters are complex and fun, intelligent and daring.
George R. R. Martin - Song of Ice and Fire: The intrigue is what really draws me into the story. Just as I become comfortable with a character (and perhaps even fond of him) his circumstances change and a new facet of the story is shown with all the detail and design that made the first character so dear.
Guy Gavriel Kay - The Fionavar Tapestry: I love the intrigue, and the epic battle between good and evil, but what really grabs me about this series is that he's seamlessly merged the characters from the modern day (their thoughts, actions, and attitudes) with the characters from the fantasy portion of the series. He creates legends, but with the grounding basis of real characters and real thoughts and concerns, I feel as though I am reading the heroic tales of my own world. It's very hard to explain, but he makes the fantastic real enough to touch. I think I've cried like a sissy girl every time I read this series.
Jim Butcher - The Dresden Files: 180 turnaround. Short, sweet, simple language and a witty, snarky character that says all the things I would say (and have said). I think this series is so loved for it's combination of interesting, original magical escapism and pure ego-stroking cleverness.
But what makes good fiction?
If you were to describe your favorite books' writing styles, themes, or tones, do you come up with any similarities? What do you think it says about you? I dunno, but I'd like your input.
I've been going over some of my favorite reads lately and here's a short excerpt of titles and description of writing style:
P.C. Hodgell - The Kencyrath Chronicles: The world is so well-described that even after the book is closed, the characters keep living, from the main characters you've grown to love, to the "extras," the characters who people the world and make it full and real. The main characters are complex and fun, intelligent and daring.
George R. R. Martin - Song of Ice and Fire: The intrigue is what really draws me into the story. Just as I become comfortable with a character (and perhaps even fond of him) his circumstances change and a new facet of the story is shown with all the detail and design that made the first character so dear.
Guy Gavriel Kay - The Fionavar Tapestry: I love the intrigue, and the epic battle between good and evil, but what really grabs me about this series is that he's seamlessly merged the characters from the modern day (their thoughts, actions, and attitudes) with the characters from the fantasy portion of the series. He creates legends, but with the grounding basis of real characters and real thoughts and concerns, I feel as though I am reading the heroic tales of my own world. It's very hard to explain, but he makes the fantastic real enough to touch. I think I've cried like a sissy girl every time I read this series.
Jim Butcher - The Dresden Files: 180 turnaround. Short, sweet, simple language and a witty, snarky character that says all the things I would say (and have said). I think this series is so loved for it's combination of interesting, original magical escapism and pure ego-stroking cleverness.