Writers I Like

I really like the way Dave Barry writes. His clever use of the English language gives hope to all of us who have ever conceived of earning a living by writing. I mean, if Dave Barry can earn a steady paycheck for decades with his humorous looks at life, why can't the rest of us sell a tale or two? He was also kind enough to be the only professional writer to actually respond to one of my letters asking for advice. It didn't make me rich or popular, but I kept writing anyway! If I ever get my desk in order, maybe I'll find that letter. It would look nice framed with a copy of my first big check from a major book deal (whenever that happens)!

There are other writers who have served to influence me as well. I was and still am particularly fond of the works of the late Lewis Grizzard. I'll bet Lewis would get a big kick out of his funny tales being referred to collectively as his "works". He seemed to be a Southern everyman. As you know, Southern people, places and attitudes are high on my list of the good things in life. Even when he made fun of his own heart surgery this guy made me laugh. It takes a lot to make a registered nurse laugh about hospitals and heart surgery! Lewis spun stories that rang true with details of Southern life as real as a glass of cornbread and buttermilk, sitting next to a big bowl of soup beans. Now that is Southern and good!

I've also found fine reading in the writings of Louis L'Amour. Since playing cowboy at an early age I've always had an affinity for guns and cowboy hats. I would say horses as well but they usually wind up stepping on my toes given the chance. Still, I've always enjoyed a good cowboy story and Louis L'Amour wrote some of my favorites. Just about any book of his with a Sackett character in it is well worth reading. It takes an interesting life or a very good imagination to find characters and details to fill a good story. L'Amour had both.

Dean Koontz is another writer whose work I find entertaining as well as captivating, particularly in his Odd Thomas series. Koontz has a vividly descriptive style that immediately draws the reader into an imaginary world of ghosts and bodachs, establishing an intimate emotional link between the reader and his characters. I'm always ready for another peek into the strange and fascinating life of Odd Thomas.

These are just a few of the more modern writers that I like. Pick up some of their books and perhaps you will come to enjoy them as well.