Great Writing Examples

[TheDustyZebra]

To me, the very best example of fine and flowing prose is Pat Conroy. He doesn't write science fiction, but you just can't beat the imagery and masterful storytelling and the incredible depth of the characters in The Prince of Tides or Beach Music. Don't bother with his latest, South of Broad -- it's still fine for prose, but it was a lousy book. IMHO.

 

[kaufmannp]

I would forward Michael Flynn's The January Dancer as an example, the second chapter in particular. Every time I read it I feel like my mind is getting some full-on spa treatment. And I don't even know what happens in a spa! (It does sound terribly fascinating though)

 

[Nerds_feather]

I would forward Michael Flynn's The January Dancer as an example, the second chapter in particular. Every time I read it I feel like my mind is getting some full-on spa treatment. And I don't even know what happens in a spa! (It does sound terribly fascinating though)

i just bought this, on queue...was sort of bumping it to post-redshirts, post-leviathan wakes...but if it's really this good, i might need to check it sooner than later!

 

[SleepyDormouse]

Out of interest, would you say that reading poorly written novels also helps with writing skills?

 

[Brian G Turner]

Just to pick up on this:

I'm amazed you haven't noticed me raving about GRRM. I guess you SFF Chrons big kahunas don't notice us mere 'members'.

My sincere apologies - it's not that I don't notice, it's just I tend to come to chrons in my breaks and my heads a fuzz. I just spent four hours uploading clothing products to an online catalog. Now it's time to stop work for the night. But my head is well and truly fried.

I am also getting old enough now that I, inexplicably, cannot name something that should be obvious.

Maybe I just need a holiday.

 

[Coragem]

My sincere apologies

No worries I, Brian.

I guess I said something in part because I think we have quite similar tastes and, as such, often post within the same threads.

For example, we both like and feel inspired by GRRM, Joe Abercrombie, and Guy G Kay. And I believe that in our writing we're both trying to accomplish similar things with our use of 3rd person limited POV.

I'd say that currently, within genre, GRRM, JA and GGK are my favourite writers. I'd pick GRRM if I had to choose one, though in large part I see him as a middle ground between the other two:

** GGK is subtle and literary.
** JA is a genius with dialogue and monologue, with humour, and with making the most of POV … but he isn't "literary" (unless four letter words can be literary?).
** GRRM is in many ways a bit of both the above.

All three are masters in terms of writing engaging (if not always realistic) characters, and it's a constant frustration to me that I can't find sci-fi authors who can measure up in this regard.

Coragem.