Author Appreciation Week, Part II

So...I got a little off-schedule in the last 2 days, but I'm going to try and get back on track!

Here is another author that I want to spotlight! T.A. Barron

Author of: The Lost Years of Merlin series, The Great Tree of Avalon series, The Ancient One, The Merlin Effect

I've only just discovered T.A. Barron, but already he has had a profound influence on me as both a reader and a writer. I devoured his Great Tree of Avalon trilogy and know several people who are very fond of his Lost Years of Merlin series.

Why he matters to me...

If you read my reviews, you know that I have a tendency to place a heavy emphasis on detail, especially among fantasy writers. I think that when you're working with fantasy, you have even more of a responsibility to your readers because in addition to telling your story, you're presenting us with a world that is beyond reality. Not only are you are storyteller, you're now an artist, a historian, and a tour guide. T.A. Barron's books have reminded me how very important SETTING can be to a story - Avalon isn't just a location, it's a character unto itself. Barron thus follows in the rich footsteps of the great J.R.R. Tolkien, who had an incredible knack for taking readers away to the world to Middle Earth.

Also in the great tradition of Tolkien, Barron's writing style is elegant, lyrical and incredibly stylistic. He's not lofty or over-the-top, but the voice that you hear in the narrative is so exquisite, it helps to draw you fully into the story. Sometimes 3rd person narratives have a tendency to get a bit mundane, because there's no one character doing the telling; Barron's style is not only an inspiration but also a guide to remember for writing, and I feel like I have learned so much just by reading his trilogy.

From the Barron himself!

"Ultimately, if you notice what's around you, and really take it in, you have a limitless source of material. Then just add a pinch of imagination and anything - literally anything - is possible."

Books I've read: Child of the Dark Prophecy, Shadows on the Stars, The Eternal Flame (all make up the Great Tree of Avalon series)

Site

I think I'm going to try and space my authors out a little - so maybe tomorrow I'll put up two, but for now, I think I'll just leave you with the Barron! :)

Which authors do you appreciate?

Monday: I appreciated Brian Jacques & Rick Riordan