I know writers of novels who say they don’t read fiction at all while working on a book, out of fear of “being influenced” by what they read. I am struck by horror at the thought of going years without being able to read fiction (though perhaps these people write faster than I do, and take long vacations between books?)—but more struck by the sheer silliness of this.
Everything writers see, think, and experience influences their work. How could it not? Now, it’s true that people do ask writers, “Where do you get your ideas?” and that writers–out of facetiousness or desperation–give answers like, “From the Sears catalog” (or “From Ideas.com,” depending on the writer’s vintage). But the truth is that writers get ideas from every damn thing they see, hear, smell, touch, taste, think, feel, or do—including the books they read.
Naturally, one wants to develop a unique voice, but do kids learn to talk without ever being talked to? You have an individual voice, by virtue of being an individual. And your individuality is composed of your essential God-given spark of personality and of the sum total of the things you encounter in life. Now, whether each encounter is a bruising collision or a fruitful act of love…who knows? But all of it is grist to a writer’s mill; so much should be obvious, if one reads at all widely.
Personally, I learned to read at the age of three, and have read non-stop ever since. I’m 58 now; you can read a lot of books in fifty-five years. I’m sure that every single book I’ve ever read has had some influence on me as a writer, whether negative (I’ve read a lot of books with the mounting conviction that I would never in my life do something like that) or positive.
When I first began to write fiction, though, I was deliberately looking for positive influences, and luckily had quite a few to hand. During the writing of my first novel (OUTLANDER/CROSS STITCH, which I wrote for practice, not intending to ever show it to anyone), I consciously considered the art and techniques of these five writers in particular:
Charles Dickens – Nobody does characters like Dickens did, and that’s why his books endure. He told excellent stories and painted a vivid portrait of Victorian society, but that society consists of people who live, breathe, and speak on the page. I learned from him the art of evoking a character: naming and describing people in such vivid detail as to make them live.
Robert Louis Stevenson – One of the earliest and best of the romance writers—back when “romance” meant adventure and excitement, escape from daily life. TREASURE ISLAND? KIDNAPPED? THE MASTER OF BALLANTRAE? The titles alone are enough to transport you, but the clean prose and vivid characters bring you back again and again.
Dorothy L. Sayers – Mistress of dialogue, character, humor and social nuance. From her, I learned that dialogue is the single most defining trait of character, and just how much you can do with accent, idiom, and dialect. Also, that a character is embedded in his or her social matrix, and that matrix is as important as the individual’s personal characteristics.
John D. MacDonald – John D. was a prolific writer, with more than five hundred novels to his credit, in more than one genre, but was best known for his Travis McGee mystery/thrillers. From him, I learned how to sustain characters over the course of a long series, how to maintain a narrative drive, how to write action, and how to pace a story.
P.G. Wodehouse – one of the most popular humorists ever. Pelham Grenville Wodehouse taught me how much sheer amusement you can derive from the English language—and the art of constructing a plot that works so seamlessly that it doesn’t matter how absurd it is. And no one who’s ever had the pleasure of meeting Bertie Wooster and his gentleman’s personal gentleman, Jeeves—let alone his bevy of friends and nemeses (Gussie Fink-Nottle and his Aunt Agatha, to mention only two)—will ever forget them.
I learned a great deal from all these writers—and from hundreds more. What every
writer on this list of personal muses has in common, though, is great skill in the matter of creating characters. And character, I think, is the single most important thing in fiction. You might read a book once for its interesting plot—but not twice. When you meet a fascinating person in the pages of a book, though, you come back, discovering new relevance, seeing new depths—or just enjoying the renewal of a long and lasting friendship.
Dear Elisa–
Wow! The idea of writing novels in a foreign language is remarkably ambitious–but I wish you all the luck in the world with it! (And I'm very flattered that my books have been any help to you.)
–Diana
"When you meet a fascinating person in the pages of a book, though, you come back, discovering new relevance, seeing new depths—or just enjoying the renewal of a long and lasting friendship."
Well said, and succinctly put, the reason I have favorite books that I reread time and time again. When you love (or hate) a character, you want to see if and how they develop as a person, and what happens to them as a result of their own and outside influence. This is why people are so invested in some books, and why they become furious at authors – they feel as if the characters are 'betraying' them in acting other than the person believes they should. I personally have always felt this is narrow minded and immature – characters, if written properly, are influenced by their surroundings and experiences, the same as real people are; they don't always act and do what they should do. It is the mark of a great writer that we forget that their characters are NOT real people, off living their life somewhere, and that we could find them if we tried. (Now the sucking up part.) You have the trick of making me forget and that's why I love your books.
Now I'm off to renew my friendship with Bertie!!
Dear Diana,
maybe I got you wrong with what you originally wanted to say – but I don´t think, it´s silly, not to want to read during writing…
I´m kind of writer, that doesn´t read during writing… I do not read because I don´t want to be influenced by others words… No: I don´t want to zone out, that´s all…
You have the admirable ability to write many projects alongside (is that the right expression?). Further you write exzerpts and put them together to a novel. Others don´t… like me. I start with the beginning of a story and follow the protagonist through the book. For this I have to dip inside the story – it´s kind of meditation – and your right: I´m writing fast in these moments. Well: Having a daughter and a househould and my job at the fairtrade-company and being human (drink, eat, sleep) I have to break this meditation-mode; but it´s a lot easier to get back if you don´t start to read books in addition to write. That means: no books during writing… (well, to be honest: I´ve read _your_ books – but they are the only one I read during writing because of my tree-projects
)
Best regards
Susan
Dear Susan–
Whatever lets you get words on the page is the right thing to do. [g] But I just said that I don't think avoiding reading _to avoid being influenced_ by what you read makes sense–not that you shouldn't/couldn't avoid reading for other reasons, which is what you're doing.
So well said. Period. Thanks for this! I hang on your every word regarding the process of writing itself. You are rather a hero of mine.
Thank you for becoming a writer, & doing such a fine job of making characters come alive and apart of our lives. Which is just ONE of the reasons I completely love the Outlander series. I feel like I'm coming home.
I was in an used book store the other day and picked up an old book (written in 1954) called The Scotswoman by Inglis Fletcher. The main character is Flora MacDonald and I smiled because without your books I don't think I would have a clue who she is or what Culloden was. So far it is a nice book. Thank you for your attention to detail in all things but especially with the history portion. I learn AND I'm fully entertained! The best of both worlds. Hope your are recovering nicely. Have a wonderful day.
Dear Diana,
ah… so I got you wrong and now see clearer
That´s it when english is not the mothertongue and experience isn´t really there. But I have to say, I´m getting better, since I met you and am forced to talk in other languages then German and Italian 
Regards
Susan
Dear Diana,
I was so struck by your observation that books are re-read not only for their plot. As a budding writer myself, I agree completely: the dialogue gives the reader an opening into the mind and personality NOT shown by the writer; that part of the character that we, as readers, make OURS.
Your explanation was so succinct that I plan to shamelessly point others toward when asked why I so love writing dialogue and getting inflection and idion "right" the first time around.
I've just discovered the "Outlander" series, thanks to a fellow writer-friend who knows me VERY well, and frankly read them cover to cover non-stop for a month. I feel as though these wonderfully-rounded characters are dear friends, complete with their quirks and foibles, strengths and courage.
Thank you for getting the idea to "try" to write a novel. Me thinks you pulled it off, m'dear!
Pat
hi, diana,
i am one of many that read and re-read books, often during the first reading, too. i'll go back over a section that really spoke to me, or really made me wish that i was that particular heroine. (oh, he's kissing her again? let's do that again!) i find myself in the story with the characters, and they are so real to me. in fact, jamie is my make-believe boyfriend (just don't tell my husband!!)
i am also a writer–and i find that i like to go back and read over several times what i have written, to tweak it, or just to enjoy what i was able to pen. i agree that charles dickens is a major influence on writers, because he was so good at creating and naming characters, as well as making the reader wonder where he's going next in the plot. i feel that way about jamie and claire and the rest of the gang.
i find that reading other writers helps me to write. i (usually) enjoy the read while i learn. i can't go one day without at least reading something before bed. i am currently re-reading "voyager" and finding things that i missed the first time, whether is was a piece of action, or how you said something.
so, i guess what i'm trying to say is. . .thanks!
Diana,
If I ever write a book , you are going to be one of the people on my blog like this one.
The things you write down, even the things u say in ur podcasts and interviews (which I have saved from youtube) are so so quotable…
You are absolutely write, books read are one of hte major influences on how a person writes himself. But … the way Claire narrates the books, and the way Roger's third person narrates them are slowly insinuating themselves into the way I think and talk.
I can safely say, that even though I was entertaining company before, sicne I have read Outlander books , I have become something of a pro in making ppl laugh and think… and not just in english. I wish you would keep writing forever :p
I used to be active on compuserve, but i sorta lost touch with it… but Ive never been able to lose touch with outlander books. One of them is always on my ipod – just to laugh during the day, and out of the several thigns I read spontaneously, one of them is always an outlander book. I wish there was someway we all could thank you for these
Infact, I have this weird thing, where I expect every guy I ve been dating (for more than 1 month) to read Outlander atleast. Just to get an idea of how men should be. Is this crazy? I dont know, but they think so. One of them actually thought I was crazy and well, yada yada… lol
I am digressing…
I had the lcuk to meet you when you were in toronto, but I could only get my books signed, since it was crowded. But I do hope to talk to you for a few minutes someday, when you are here abouts again (are you ?)…. Also, do you wear purple/lilac ?
Lots of love
Rashu
oops…. I meant 'you are absolutely right*', not 'write'…
Dear Diana,
I couldn't imagine going that long without reading either! The only books I avoid while writing are novels that take place during my time period – I feel I have to do my own non-fiction research before I start reading others' interpretations. Afterward, though…
And yay for Dorothy Sayers!
Dear Rashu–
Not lilac; I look yellow in it. [g] A very deep purple, with either a red or blue undertone, looks OK on me, though.
Thanks, and yes, I do generally go to Toronto on booktours, so will hope to meet you there next time!
–Diana
Diana –
Really nice write-up of what makes a book great, and one day you should absolutely be included in that list! Your characters are the main thing that keep me coming back to Outlander again and again. Even after finishing the series to date, I find myself thinking about Jamie and Claire and their many families and friends all the time, they feel that real!
Thank you Diana! Now you have given me the gift of finally being able to explain to people why I read some books over and over again. I usually just say "they are my friends". But then people look at me like I'm sad or crazy.
Thank you also for creating many more books with characters that I never get tired of.
I hope you have a good summer.
P.S. This is my first blog comment/fan letter ever.
Diana,
This was an amazing and extremely helpful post! Thanks for it. Now I'm just curious but when you say that you "consciously considered the art and techniques of these five writers in particular"…was it more that you actually studied the way they wrote by analyzing their books or was it more that you had read their work and it was sort of lodged in your brain? Like how sometimes after you read a long engrossing book and next thing you know you find yourself speaking in the fashion of the book.
Dorothy Sayers is actually one my all-time favorite authors and after reading her books I would just sit their in awe of her main character…Lord Wimsey…just wondering how she created someone who spoke like that! I was actually secretly hoping her style of writing would rub off on me subconsciously haha.
Oh and also!…Sorry so many questions but do you favor novels written in the first person or in the third person? I know that the Outlander series and the Lord John books are all written in the first person …did you debate on which person point of view to use when you began writing?
Dear Maliha–
Err….maybe you want to read my books a trifle _more_ consciously. [g] Only OUTLANDER is written in the first person. NONE of the Lord John books has any first-person stuff at all, while all the other Outlander books are written with a combination of viewpoints (Claire is the only character with a first-person point of view, ever. Everyone else–Brianna, Roger, Jamie, Lord John, Young Ian, William–has third-person viewpoint).
Which I suppose answers your last question. [cough]
As to the first one, mostly I'd just read those authors repeatedly–but I'd _noticed_ what they did. I didn't sit down and say, "Oh, ah, how did he/she do _this_?", because I already knew how. But it wasn't just a matter of falling into someone else's voice, either; I did _know_ exactly how John D. MacDonald handled the question of Travis McGee's past in each knew book, for instance, or how Dorothy L. Sayers used idiom and accent to depict class distinction (and how those in turn affected character and plot).
But you know, it's just whatever works for you, in terms of reading, analysis, or whatever. Anything that lets you get words on the page is the right thing to do!
Oh my! I feel like a complete imbecile. I just looked through the Lord John books again and realized that indeed they are written in the third person. My apologies..I read them a very long time ago it must have slipped my mind. As for Outlander I think I was just thinking of Claire's narrative. But yeah you clearly have a knack for mastering both persons. I usually end up liking books that are written in the first person better just because I feel that I connect with the main character MORE that way; but it is becoming clear that that's not necessarily true always. I mean I loved the Lord John books and I became really attached to his character too–And like you said (and I stupidly screwed up) that is indeed written in the third person. So really it just depends on the author and HOW he/she paints his/her characters.
So yes thank you! That does answer my question about the person point of view. And thanks again for the fabulous entry and all the insight on writing. You're writing has been/is a great inspiration for me!
It's the characters that bring us back over and over again, but it's also the quality of the writing, the vivid descriptions that create such strong visual images, and, yes, the plots. Even though we know what's happening, it's still exciting. You can read a book for the first time only once, but subsequent readings enable us to enjoy other aspects. The first time through, it's a mad dash to Find Out What Happens.
) think rereading is strange? No one would ever say, "Oh, you've heard that music once; why are you listening to it again?"
And why do people (not Outlander fans, of course
Judie–I, too, like Donna Leon, JD Robb, and Sue Grafton, but I'm not familiar with Tapply and Craig. I'll have to check them out…thanks! And might I suggest Robert B. Parker, especially the Spenser novels. Spenser and Susan Silverman are right up there in the relationship class with Claire and Jamie. (But his books are MUCH shorter.)
Oh, and try Dana Stabenow's Alaskan mysteries, featuring Kate Shugak. I believe Dana's a friend of Diana's.
There are other series I like, but you're right; the best ones are the series with the strongest characters.
Diana — I also learned to read at age 3. In addition to having all those years of books (a few more than you), I am also afflicted with the blessing/curse (sometimes it's one, sometimes the other) of being a very fast reader. What about you, if I may ask?
Dear Bluebird–
I read _all_ the time, no matter what else I'm doing–and reasonably fast, yes. In an average (i.e., not frantically busy) week, I'll probably read 2-4 novels, plus assorted newspapers, cartoon anthologies [g], and other stuff.