Another reason for visiting and revisiting the Shinn series, is the world she has created. In the first scene, which takes place in a seedy tavern, we get our first glimpse of what the world is like through the eyes of the tavern keeper who also gives us our first glimpse of the main characters.

Later, we see the world through the eyes of these characters, not just as scenery but as they experience it ... as places of safety or danger. When they see a house, it is not just a house but a place with a purpose for them. When they ride through the forest, they experience it for what it promises.

We also learn about the world through scene and dialogue. This is often difficult because of the need to avoid telling someone something they already know ... a danger new writers are often warned about. Shinn has handled this by having a character who is new to the country who needs to know all this. By having two characters working together to give him this information and to discuss various aspects between themselves, the reader learns as the character learns. 

The series is fascinating for the reader but it also uses many techniques that are instructive for a writer as well.

It's been far too long since I have posted. But now I hope to come to this 'World' regularly. What is Anne Gray's World? It is largely made up of writing, reading, enjoying my garden, and friends, with a dash of other things. So these topics are mostly what I'll write about.

People often wonder why writers write, and there are many answers to that. For some, it would be as relevant to ask, "Why do you breathe?" Because writing is as necessary to life as breath. For some, it might be the hope of fame or riches, both of which are enjoyed by only a small percentage of writers. Some fall in love with an idea or a character or ... There are likely as many answers as there are writers. Some may not know. Whatever the reason, there is a drive that cannot be denied, and if it is, there is a great deal of stress.

So ... on to books. I'll write in the next few blogs about a series which I've read several times and will read again: Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses series. This is a series I've recommended to a number of people, and several of them have also read it more than once. In fact, my niece, during a two month visit, has read the entire series of five books twice and has started a third reading. And it's not because there is nothing else in the house to read!

Some people have asked why one would read the same books over and over again. Once you know 'what happens', what more is there? Yet, much of the enjoyment of a good book comes after you know 'what happens', for this is when you can really focus on the characters, the writing, the world and all the other elements that make a book enjoyable.

The characters and the interactions among characters are, for me, of first importance. If I like, or at least am interested in, the characters, I'm more likely to want to read more stories featuring those characters. And re-reading allows me to see how those characters were created. Shinn's Twelve Houses series features a wonderful cast of characters, both major and minor. Even the minor characters are so well drawn that on re-reading, I was surprised at how seldom they were actually encountered.

The 'world' of a book is what draws some people. Whether it is a designated 'real' place or a fantasy world, it is necessary for the reader to believe that that world is 'real'. To believe that they are walking roads, entering buildings, eating food: seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling everything there. Some worlds are only sketchily drawn, the world of Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses series seems as real to me as the one I actually live in.

Memories

Just finished reading Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson, about a woman who wakes up each morning not knowing who she is, remembering nothing from her life. Although she can keep the memories of the day intact as long as she is awake, she loses even those memories each night when she goes to sleep. If you can't remember anything or anyone, who do you trust?

It left me thinking about memories. How much of what we are is governed by memories? How different would we become if our memories were erased?

A good example of this is the William Monk series by Anne Perry. Monk is a policeman who has lost a large slice of his memories. He can carry on with his work and forms new memories with no problem, unlike the character in Before I Go To Sleep, but Monk has to forge a life with no knowledge of, for example, how he alienated so many people.

A different problem is shown by the Ian Rutledge character in the Charles Todd books. Rutledge remembers all too well, and one memory in particular haunts him. How different would his life be if just that one memory could be excised?

It is scary to think about waking up and not knowing who you are and remembering nothing about your life. But it is also scary to think about how much of our vision of who we are is influenced by memories of who we have been.

Back Again .... Again

Almost two years since my last post. This has been an arid time for me but I'm hoping to get back on track. Had a lovely trip in May. Visited Ireland with my dear niece and then on to Sweden and England where I visited friends I haven't seen for many years. Reminded me of one of the many, many wonderful things about friends: distance doesn't diminish friendship.

Back Again

I haven't written anything in the blog for a long while. Partly I've been away a fair bit -- visits to Montreal, Peterborough and Ottawa --but I have also been working. I'm almost through with my first revision of the new book.
Haven't seen anything recently to comment on except the Inspector Lewis series on PBS. It is
really a wonderful series. Wish there were more of them.

Oh, Well ....

Today ... or last night ... or sometime, my freezer went kaput. Have had to toss over two thirds of the food in it but should be happy about the third I've managed to save.

On a happier note, my tomatoes are doing pretty well though they will soon be gone.

And on a happier note still, I've finally finished the first draft of book 3. Not sure what will come of it as my publisher has been sold, but let's hope they will want it when the time comes.

Time Passing

It's been a while since I posted but I've been very busy. Lovely outings with friends (among other things a lunch cruise on the Grand River, a trip to wine country, and a swim and wok lesson at a friend's house), enjoying the yard on nice afternoons (far too few of those this rainy summer) and reading.
But mostly I've been very busy writing. Finally. If I can just keep the momentum going, I may be able to report a first draft by early next month.