Interesting that you don't mention classical crime writers. I grew up reading Georges Simenon. His books were all over the house. He was one of my dad's all-time favorites. I never thought of "lessons in writing" when I read him. Now, thinking back, what I recall (and must have been an unconscious influence) are the simplicity of the language (French writers can be ornate, lol) and the atmosphere suggested with an economy of words, a short description, an attitude. I read an English translation of one of his books recently and it felt stilted - something definitely went "missing in translation".
Well, as mentioned, the short answer is that I didn't read any crime. I liked Donald Westlake, but that was it. And it was more about the heist type stuff in the Dortmunder books. I actually read Simenon for the first time a few years ago. I have a friend who grew up in Germany who raved about them.
Very interesting about the economy of words.
As I will explore in the next few posts, I'm not sure that reading taught me how to write. I mean, it must have. But looking back, it didn't happen until college... the impact and actual lessons, I mean.
Interesting that you don't mention classical crime writers. I grew up reading Georges Simenon. His books were all over the house. He was one of my dad's all-time favorites. I never thought of "lessons in writing" when I read him. Now, thinking back, what I recall (and must have been an unconscious influence) are the simplicity of the language (French writers can be ornate, lol) and the atmosphere suggested with an economy of words, a short description, an attitude. I read an English translation of one of his books recently and it felt stilted - something definitely went "missing in translation".
Well, as mentioned, the short answer is that I didn't read any crime. I liked Donald Westlake, but that was it. And it was more about the heist type stuff in the Dortmunder books. I actually read Simenon for the first time a few years ago. I have a friend who grew up in Germany who raved about them.
Very interesting about the economy of words.
As I will explore in the next few posts, I'm not sure that reading taught me how to write. I mean, it must have. But looking back, it didn't happen until college... the impact and actual lessons, I mean.