If you’re a writer, you’ve experienced it at one time or another. If it was a disease, we’d all be wiped out by it. Thank goodness it only makes us human. Today please welcome Miranda Neville to the blog as she discusses the writers she most envies and celebrates the release of her sophomore book, THE WILD MARQUIS (You know you wouldn’t have your marquises any other way 😉 ).
Writer Envy: Who Do I Wish I Was?
I just read (I know, years late) The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé. One reason I knew it was a good book was that I kept thinking “This is so good. I should write a book like this.”
Of course I can’t. Abé’s prose is lyrical and lush and her subject matter is paranormal. My own writing style is more earthbound and ironic. But that doesn’t save me from committing the sin of writer envy. Certain writers regularly inspire me with jealous torments.
I love the way Liz Carlyle sets a scene, especially a sordid scene. The opening of Tempted All Night, for example. Without going into a lot of description, she makes you see the shady pub – and incidentally tells you a whole lot about her hero.
“It’s generally said that a man can be known by the company he keeps, and Tristan Talbot was likely the only fellow in London who went dicing with his manservant. That his servant disdained the Three Shovels as beneath his dignity served only to further illuminate the level to which Tristan sometimes sank. And illumination was direly needed at the Shovels, for the place was dark as a den of thieves.
Actually, it was a den of thieves. And rogues and sharps and bawds—even the occasional gentleman out for a low-class lark. From somewhere deep inside the low-ceilinged alehouse, raucous laughter rang out….”
I’m always telling people Janet Mullany is the funniest historical writer around, though why I bother to qualify the statement I don’t know. Can’t think of any funnier in any genre. Only Janet—in the Rules Of Gentility— would set her marriage proposal in the bathroom.
“What are you doing in there?”
“It’s a water closet. What sort of question is that?”
“Well hurry up. I want to propose to you.’ He thumps on the door again and mutters something about women taking so long in there. It must be all the petticoats.
My papa comments that he’s always thought it so too.
The Wild Marquis
Author: Miranda Neville
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Pub. Date: March 9, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061808708
384 pagesHe is notorious for his wretched morals and never received in respectable houses. The ladies of the ton would never allow him in their drawing rooms . . . though some of them have welcomed him into their bedchambers. Rejected from his father’s house at the age of sixteen, he now lives a life of wanton pleasure. So what could the Marquis of Chase possibly want with Juliana Merton, a lovely, perfectly upstanding shopkeeper with a mysterious past?
A moment’s indiscretion?
A night’s passion?
Or a lifetime of love?
Even the wildest rakes have their weaknesses . . .
I envy Eloisa James’ ability to effortlessly convey romantic deliciousness, as in this random page from Desperate Duchesses, perhaps my favorite Eloisa.
“Damon was well aware he was consumed by lust. It was a dangerous state. He’d never before experienced it as a sort of waking fever dream, as the past few days when he walked the halls of Beaumont House merely so that he could catch a whiff of Roberta’s perfume, or see the flutter of her dress retreat around a corner.”
Anna Campbell’s dark sensuality leaves me gaping. How does she do that?
“He told himself her body was all he wanted.
The declaration sounded laughably hollow. The feverish encounter had bitten more deeply than the fleeting demands of flesh alone ever could, however much he wished it otherwise.
She took a shuddering breath as he settled at her side. He fought the urge to stroke the damp black hair back from her brow. She wouldn’t welcome his tenderness, he knew with piercing regret. (Claiming the Courtesan)
Among the many things I envy in Susan Elizabeth Phillips is her ability to construct a big multi-character ensemble scene. The most fun may the one where a horde of giant professional sportsmen invade the heroine’s house (“Get your big-ass shoes off my sofa cushions.”) My favorite is the dinner party in Ain’t She Sweet when Sugar Beth turns an event designed to humiliate her into a triumph. We see her emerge with grace and dignity and Colin’s emotions turn from revenge to shame to love. There’s nothing I find more satisfying than seeing the tables turned.
And then there’s Loretta Chase. I’d kill to write like Chase. All I can do after devouring one of her books is to pray that some of her genius rubs off on me.
Among your favorite authors, can you pinpoint exactly what aspects of their work you like the most? One answer will win a signed copy of The Wild Marquis.
Hi Miranda!
Your new book sounds wonderful and i have been desparately looking forward to reading it (whenever i find it. ~o^).
The four authors i’m going to mention are the ones that i the most books of. ^o^ I adore and have every since one of Julia Quinn’s book because i lover her witty characters and the way she writes her dialog. She writes it fast passed and so full of life that you don’t even realize your at the end of the chapter till it’s there. The way she writes reminds me of Amy Sherman Palliaido writing for Gilmore Girls. I was addicted to that show and have all of the seasons. Julia writes as if the Gilmore Girls would have talked in regency times.
I adore Karen Hawkins and Suzanne Enoch for the humor. No matter what i always find myself laughing out loud at various parts in their books. I love how it’s now always humor in the dialog as well. There are so many memorable scenes in the books that are too funny too forget. I also love how they incorporate animals a lot into their books.
Lastly, i have to say Margret Moore will always been the queen of medieval romances to me. She captures the period like no-one i have ever read or read before. ^^
One of my favorite authors is Lisa Kleypas and what I really like about her work/books are her heros. She writes them with so much pain but non of them comes as jerks or mean, even when they been through a lot…you just want hug them instead.
One of my favorite authors is Elaine Levine, she only has two book out but both of these books were well writen. She writed historical westerns and both of her books got me on the first page and the rest of the way through the books. Her heros and heroines have flaws but are also very strong characters.
Hi Miranda, love you books!
I love an alpha hero and I have to admit that many eithers fit in my favorites — Lora Leigh, Cindy Gerald and Stephanie Laurens (gotta love those Cynsters).
Melissa: we have to stop meeting like this!
I should have made it clear that the list of writers who make me green as lettuce is by no means limited to those I mention in this post. Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch and Karen Hawkins are certainly among them. No one does humor like that trio. (Love the Whistledown anthologies with all three of them together!)
I’ve never read Margaret Moore. I’m guessing she will be just the first of a whole lot of new writers I’ll learn about today and envy in the future.
Marjana: Lisa Kleypas is fabulous.
Quilt Lady: Elaine Levine is new to me. I’ll have to find her books.
Danielle: Thank you! And I’m fanning myself madly at being mentioned in the same post as those three ladies.
My latest fave has got to be Anna Campbell. Not only is her work dark (as in dark, bittersweet chocolate in a milk chocolate world), but it’s her word choices that blow me away. I love books that challenge me, and aren’t afraid to use all the words in the language. I was so intrigued at her word usuage while reading her book, Captive of Sin, that I actually made of list of some of my favorite words she used: coruscating, juddering, louche, threnody…it went on and on and I loved it. And while I envy her ability to write that way, I’m using that as inspiration in my own writing.
Lord, my list is so long it’s ridiculous. Lisa Kleypas – LOVE her heroes and love scenes. She gets every sense involved and they are so HOT–just like her heroes.
Sherry Thomas and Julie Anne Long — adore their prose. That’s what you call style in writing.
Sarah Mayberry – She does h/h conflict and sexual tension like no one I’ve read in years. Love her stuff. And her dialogue is so real, so natural.
Julia Quinn – What she did with When He Was Wicked…sigh. She can write write a thoroughly hot love scene and make your heart ache. I discovered that in that book. I wish she’d write more books like that.
Hi Miranda,
Loved your post. And I can’t wait to get my hands on your latest book.
I am an avid reader of historical romance (aren’t we all?) and absolutely love Liz Carlyle, Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Teresa Medeiros, Stephanie Laurens, Suzanne Enoch….and the list goes on. I think what I like best about their writing is the humor and dry wit liberally sprinkled throughout their works. I enjoy Anna Campbell’s work too, but it is so dark that I really need a light-hearted romantic treat afterwards…sort of like the cigarette after sex…! LOL
I think I have all of the books you mentioned on my TBR shelves (except Janet Mullany) and after reading those zinger passages, I guess I’d better pull them out and start reading. Note to self: add Janet Mullany to BTB list!
I love Catherine Coulters ability to write great alpha males.
I have a lot of favorite authors but I think the one that stands out is Sandra Brown. There is always a character in her book that you get to know on a very personal level. I like the way she keeps the suspense and tension flowing throughout the book. She has interesting secondary characters that you hope will get their own story for one to read.
One of my favorite authors is Hannah Howell I like that she adds the accent to her stories .The woman in her books are strong.And all the romance she adds to her books
Madeline Hunter is at the top of my writer envy list. She’s always been super nice and help to me but reading her books is never good for my writer self confidence.
Sometimes I’ll read an author and think “this is great” and it encourages me to try and do something just as good but then there are writers like Madeline Hunter that I read and think “I’ll never be this good, never.”
I’m so glad to know I’m not alone with my writer envy!
I have to say it has become so hard to pick a favorite anymore! So many authors bring so much to the table now days, stonger heroines, dangerous heros, settings that are spectacular! I have to say I have learned to appreciate each story for the heart and sole that each author puts into it! Thanks to our wonderful story creators who sweep us away everyday!
Hi Miranda!
I would have to say Mary Balogh for her ability to create such emotionally tortured heros, I like Anna Campbell for the same reason. I would love to read your book, it sounds just fab!
Kat: Love the Anna Campbell-chocolate comparison. You are quite right about her use of words.
Great list, Bev! i could add any of these to mine except Sarah Mayberry, whom I will now have to find.
Karen H. Another great list and another Anna Campbell lover. I gave an Anna-like snort at the idea of the cigarette after sex.
Silver Devil, Joye and Peggy: all good choices. Especially Hannah Howell who happens to be a lovely person as well as a wonderful writer (I’m not personally acquainted with either Catherine Coulter or Sandra Brown)
Chloe: Yes on Madeline Hunter! She could easily have made my original post. To read her is to despair. We should set up a support group.
JM Lange: you may be wise not to name anyone in particular because then you won’t leave anyone out. I keep thinking of more writers for my envy list.
Karyn: I warn you, I ‘ll never be able to write a tortured hero like Anna or Mary Balogh!
judith mcnaught writes amazing historicals with heart wrenching endings that makes you really believe in her h/h’s happy endings. i wish she’d write more of historical!
Miranda, I guarantee you this, Sarah is so worth the find. She writes for the Blaze and SuperRomance lines for Harlequin. If you can get her second Blaze, Cruise Control, you won’t be disappointed.
Oh, and Karen Robards so made me cry when I read Loving Julia. And I mean sob cry. It was positively heart wrenching. Ahh, to be able to elicit that kind of emotion from readers is truly a gift worth having.
lol Miranda. ^^ We do keep meeting.
You can see Margaret Moore right here http://www.margaretmoore.com/ I got into her from her Avon True Romance book “Gwyneth and the Thief”. I soon discovered used books stores were a haven for all of her old books. I have about almost every single one of her books except for the newer ones that have come out in the lat 3-4 years (i’m trying to catch up). She mostly writes medieval romances, but she has a few regency out and that seems to be her new niche as of late.
Hi Miranda! Hi Bev! Hi Season girls! Miranda dropped me a line to say I should pop by and she was right. Miranda, wow, I know this writer envy of which you speak and I’m absolutely stoked to be included in such a stellar list. Needless to say, you’ve picked people I regularly turn a nice shade of green over. Actually writer envy is always sincere and mixed with huge doses of breathless admiration so it’s not a really NASTY form of jealousy. Snort!
You know, I had exactly the same reaction when I read the Smoke Thief. I thought I could never write like this, but, man, I’d like to! It’s odd – or perhaps not that odd – but I reserve my greatest WE f0r writers who I could never, never emulate, much as I try. Oh, and I 100% agree with you about Janet Mullaney being hilariously funny. If anyone doesn’t know her stuff, grab it. And to you, I’ll say read Sarah Mayberry. She’s fantastic – there’s this real feeling of life about her work. Someone I envy but again, could never emulate, is Kathleen O’Reilly. I love the honesty and emotional vulnerability of her stories. She’s fabulous! Another writer I envy is C.S. Harris who is writing a wonderful series of Regency mysteries featuring the Viscount Devlin (lots of romance to go with the mystery). I love her ability to create a concrete reality around her fascinating characters. You can almost smell and touch Regency London in her books, it’s so vivid.
Kat, what a lovely take on my writing. Thank you so much! Actually I love a good, fruity vocabulary – it’s like a really good wine. You know, all those layers of flavor! Hmm, wine, chocolate, sex, cigarettes. We’re getting into all the naughty stuff here!
Karen, laughed my head off at the cigarette after sex thing. I hope it’s GOOD sex, LOL!
Karyn, thanks for that! I love torturing a hero. Helps me work off my writer envy! 😉
My favorite authors are the authors who can put a reader there in the place with the characters. My favorites are Catherine Anderson, Jesse Michaels, Sarah Mayberry, Lisa Kleypas, and Lisa Marie Rice
I am envious of Gail Carriger, Tessa Dare, Christina Dodd, Julia Quinn…. oh she is just so fantastic! There really are too many wonderful writers out there that I want to be like!
Michelle: I haven’t read Judith McNaught for ages. I must look for some.
Bev: thanks for some great suggestions. Even though this blog mainly discusses historicals, it’s a nice change to get some contemporary recs.
Melissa: I’m definitely going to hunt up Margaret Moore
Hi Anna: thanks for stopping by. Writer Envy is a good sin because it’s really a sincere compliment. I’m taking notes on your rec. I’m especially interested in C.S. Harris – I’ve been meaning to try those books for a while.
Unfortunately I’m just starting a new book so I won’t have time to do any serious reading until I’ve written a bunch of pages and can take a break. But I’m going on vacation in a month and will need something new then. So All of you, keep those ideas coming.
Hi Miranda!
My favorite author has always been Julie Garwood. I love how she has those black moments and life or death situations. Those dark moments when the hero realizes he loves the heroine. Wonderful!
Hi, Miranda.
What a wonderful idea. Lots of plots leave me green with envy, writing styles not so much. Am I dating myself to say I like Mary Roberts Rhinehart? I bet I am.
Thank you for your blog, Miranda. You’re turning up all over the Web!
For me, the most important aspect of a story, in any genre, is its overall theme. What is it about? Is it something I can relate to? Does it fulfill some need in me that can’t be fulfilled outside of fiction, or that is unlikely to be fulfilled?
The overall theme gives rise to all the other aspects of the story: plot, character, mood, style, etc. It’s the most important aspect of a work because it’s the most fundamental. And alas, it’s the one least discussed in writings on writing.
Keep up the good work!
Ooh, what a fantastic post, and I’m going to have to hit Amazon once I leave this site!
A few months ago I read Laura Kinsale for the first time (I know, where have I been?!), and no one can torture a hero the way she can. Reading her books is like opening a vein and watching the blood pour out, but knowing that the most incredible healing love is on its way.
Madeline Hunter makes history come alive for me. I absolutely love her medievals.
SEP does great dialog–witty and snappy, with clever heroines and the sexiest heroes.
Kaki Warner, who wrote the best book I’ve read for a long time (and it’s her debut! serious jealousy) managed to write hundreds of pages without a single unnecessary word. Pieces of Sky is just beautiful and I can’t stop talking about it.
And I love Susan Donovan’s heroes. They’re strong, sexy men without being alpha a-holes. In fact, they remind me of the guys I’m lucky enough to be friends with (although Susan’s are probably better looking…no offense to my friends).
jcp and Danille: all great ideas. I haven’t yet read Gail Carriger. Obviously Sarah Mayberry is not to be missed, even if reading her turns my skin to the color of moss.
Lori! (waving madly) How are you? Julie Garwood is another great one.
Wow, Katrina. You expressed the emotion Kinsale evokes very powerfully.
Madeline Hunter is so brilliant. She has such an effortless way of communicating historical period. (At least, it seems effortless. I suspect it take shard work).
Thanks for the Kaki Warner suggestion.
Dana: how interesting that you are envious of plot more than style. I always think plots are just a matter of mechanics, but maybe “just” is not the right qualifier. I find myself more awed by plotting when it comes to mystery writers. Perhaps the most perfect and intricate plots I’ve come across are the two long historical fiction series by Dorothy Dunnett. You have to read those books over and over to catch all the nuances.
Mary Anne
We are becoming old friends! Don’t worry, once I’ve passed my launch period for The Wild Marquis I’ll crawl back into my hole and write my next book. You’ll hardly see me until the next one is ready to go. (Unless nice hostesses like Bev invite me back just to chat)
Anna, I’m sure you know Sarah has an April Super Romance I just found out about today. Of course, I downloaded the ebook immediately!!
Writer Envy is something I am so very guilty of. Not just in romance writing either. I read all kinds of books, though most have romance at least as a subplot. Who do I envy? Too many to list. Let’s hit the highlights…
Christine Feehan. I adore her created world(s) that so closely parallel our own. She makes me believe that vampires, were-jaguars, mages, and genetically-and-psychically-enhanced super soldiers really exist. Every time I re-emerge from her world, I have to take a few minutes to re-acclimate to reality. Her book “The Scarletti Curse” is historical paranormal. It was the first such book I ever read. Now I can’t get enough!
James Rollins. I adore the way he mixes real science with just enough believable exaggeration to make it scary. His thrillers pretty much always include at least one romantic subplot. I have yet to read all of his books, but the romantic bits have been nicely woven into the main plots of the books I have read.
Late last week, I started reading my first book by Ann Aguirre. In less than ten pages, I had some serious writer envy. Such lush prose. *sigh*
Claudia Gray. Her “Evernight” series for young adults is incredible. Believable characters, just a touch of heat… And her writing! Amazing.
Rachel Vincent. I haven’t read her adult paranormal romance series yet, but if her series for young adults is any indication, it will blow me away. I love the way everything in those books is interconnected.
Just read my first Lois Greiman novel. Wow. Just wow. I want to write like that.
I also want to write like L.J. Smith, author of multiple paranormal series for young adults.
Okay, I think that’s enough for now. ^_^
A couple of my favorite authors are Eloisa James and Charlaine Harris. Eloisa’s books are just so delicious, with the humorous situations her characters get themselves into. Charlaine’s books are about extraordinary people, but you feel like you know them or someone just like them, because of her vivid descriptions of things like Sookie’s home and the bar she works at. There are so many other authors that I love to read, I can’t list them all.
I’m a big Lisa Kleypas fan and I love her heroes! They are really outstanding! 🙂
I love Julie Garwood’s style. She has so much humor and quick lines in her books. She knows how to draw you into her book and have you so in love with her characters. It’s almost hard to choose a favorite hero 🙂
Oh Katrina I heard so much about Kaki Warner’s book. I had immediately rushed out to get it. I haven’t got around to it yet but I hope it is as good as people are saying.
Oh boy, I see I got a list of writers that I got to look into 🙂
I’ve always found Linda Howard’s alpha heroes appealing. Behind the tough, confident exterior, there’s a emotional vulnerability that comes out when the heroines’ gain their love and trust.
Jennifer Cruise, while not a historical romance writer, I love her wit and humor.
I come back to say goodnight and there are more great posts.
Lura: My paranormal reading is far from complete so I’m glad to get recommendations.
Sandra, Samantha and Sue: More good choices. I suspect we could go on all night and get greener by the hour.
I’ve only read one Charlaine Harris and loved it – also love the TV show. Barbara is right about the characters being weirdly normal.
[Bangs head on desk] Kelly! How could I have forgotten Jennifer Crusie? She’s one of my favorites and I envy her wit and humor to pieces.
Thank you all for a wonderful conversation today and a massive pile of books to read.
Thanks, Miranda, for mentioning me in this august company, and what a wonderful selection of books and authors. Congratulations on the book and I hope it sells like crazy.
Miranda, thanks so much for visiting today. I loved the post and so enjoyed having you here.
Ladies, thank you so much for dropping by and making Miranda feel so welcomed. If you’re not the lucky person to win her book, it’s currently at your local book store. 😉
I agree, Janet Mullany is one of the most underappreciated historical writers out there! Her newest ‘Improper Relations’ is very funny.
And I’ve never read Liz Carlyle but agree that excerpt is very skillfully done, so I’ll pick up one of her books, and if Ms. Neville’s are anything like these two then I’ll want to take a look at hers as well.
Congrats on second release!
My favorite historical author is Elizabeth Hoyt. I love how she manages to create an aura of whimsy and enchantment while still remaining true to the time period. Her characters interact with an ease and familiarity yet I never get the sense that it’s out of place or too modern.