I finished reading Beth Revis's Across the Universe on Sunday, March 13. You can read my review here.
Before that Sunday, I read 38 pages of her book. I enjoyed the beginning. The first chapter is horrifying, but I ran out of time, set it down, and left it.
Then March 13th came, and I was going to read until my laundry finished. The laundry was done, but I wasn't. I couldn't stop reading. I didn't want to do anything else, including eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom. I wanted to read and find out what would happen next to Amy and Elder. I had to read.
When I finished the book, I realized something: I want to write like this. I want to write a book that people can't put down. I want to write a book that changes how you see the world around you. I won't look at stars or the sky the same after reading Beth's book.
Now I'm not saying I want to write a book exactly life Beth's. I just want to write something that good. Beth's book goes into a few I've read basically in one day, including several of the Harry Potter series and the first book in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. Books I had to read.
The question comes to how to write a book like that, and I don't know. There must be some universal truth to it. There must be a distinguished voice. The characters, setting, plot, theme, etc. must speak to a reader. I can tell Beth researched carefully (although I knew she did from her blog). And, she broke rules. Yes, I did see adverbs and the verb "to be," but you know what, I didn't care. Nope. Those little things didn't distract me one bit, despite the fact that they do in other people's writing. It was different in Across the Universe.
In the end, Beth did a frexing awesome job, and I hope one day to be able to write a book that will touch someone like her book did me.
10 comments:
THis one is waiting to be read on my nightstand. You're so right, we just have to nail all aspects of the story. It's not to be taken lightly just how much effort goes into making a story unputdownable.
That's on my TBR list. I felt that way about "Life As We Knew It" by Susan Beth Pffefer. I had to know the ending!!
Great Thursday post!
I want to write those, too! I think the BIG thing is heart, but for me there needs to be both humor and suspense to keep pulling me... I love to learn something, but learn it so lightly that I'm delighted, rather than feeling like I'm in a lesson. The Pericles Commission was my last 'couldn't put down' and the description of it NEVER would have led me to believe it was like that, but I think it was just PERFECTLY balanced.
Pk - It does take a lot of work, but it's worth it. I know it has to be. :)
Aubrie - Thanks! And, you need to read Across the Universe soon. You'll love it.
I think that writing a book that has broad appeal comes down to simply finding the audience that appreciates the writing that you do. Obviously, the author of "Across the Universe" discovered that in you and in many others.
I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to read Across the Universe until now...you're heartfelt thoughts on it won me over.
Kelly - I'm not even a big sci fi fan, and I enjoyed it. If you do read it, I hope you like it. :)
I have heard so many good things about this book. I'm now convinced I have to read it! It sounds like it's extremely inspiring.
I LOVE books like that, that just take over your life. It was the same for me with "A Song of Ice and Fire." I literally felt sick. I couldn't think about anything else for a month. (They are really LONG books). And the great thing about great writers is that they encourage you to be one, too. So keep at it, girl! I am hopping over to read your review now.
I'll have to add that one to my reading list. I have books that do that to me, too. One day, one of your stories will get to someone like that. I know it! ^_^
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