As a writer and as a reader, what types of stories interest you?
Authenticity is key. If a character’s voice doesn’t ring true, I’m not interested in reading further.
I also like witty dialogue. I love Scout’s irreverence and insouciance in To Kill a Mockingbird, the timeless charm of Mark Twain’s characters, and the sardonic edge of a writer like David Sedaris.
Imagination gets high marks from me as well. I’ve incorporated the supernatural into a couple of my novels because … well, in fiction, you can do whatever you want, so why not? I like being surprised and transported. For instance, I was gripped by the creepiness of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go.
I also value bravery in books. Writing can be like therapy. The more honest it is, the more it will resonate with readers. What teen can’t identify with Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye ? What dysfunctional family can’t relate to Mary Karr’s The Liars’ Club? The best writers never flinch.
Life lessons are fine in stories, but they should seduce the reader, not club him over the head. If a dose of nobility sneaks up on a reader, great, but it should never be at the expense of authentic writing or great storytelling. I hate preachiness and self-righteousness. We all have lessons to learn, and the more honest a writer is, the more evident that is. A writer’s agenda shouldn’t be to impart a lesson; it should be to let wisdom reveal itself naturally in the course of great storytelling.
Nicole Renee Photography
About the Author
Christine Hurley Deriso is the award-winning author of three middle grade novels. She has also contributed to Ladies’ Home Journal, Parents, and other national magazines. Visit her online at www.christinehurleyderiso.com.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
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Interview with the Author
About the Author
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
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2
3
4
5
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Interview with the Author
About the Author