I just finished reading "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness. It was one of those books I couldn't put down, because I was so enthralled with the story and the flawless writing. Also, it's 579 pages and I had only one week to read it before it was due back at the library. I should know better than to check out books that long when they're only on loan from the library for a week, but I guess it's extra motivation to keep reading.
The writing was so good, though. The kind that makes me realize how much my own writing is lacking. It makes me feel inspired and untalented at the same time. My writing will never reach that level, but hopefully my storytelling makes up for what the writing lacks.
It's a difficult balance, because I want people to understand what's going on with the characters and not spend so much time reading a description of what's going on in the scene. I don't like to read books that get carried away with describing a room or what-have-you. I don't want to spend so much time describing something so that it feels like all the details are getting in the way of telling the reader what's happening, but I want them to be able to picture what's going on while the action is under way.
Harkness' book borders on too much description for my taste, but it's necessary for the type of historical fiction that she's crafted. Most of the time she stops providing details of the study or the magnificent creatures her main character is surrounded by before I forget what they were doing when the witch stopped to take in the scene or people around her.
Once again, I'm in awe of another writer. And now it's time to focus on my own work, because I've got a writing conference deadline breathing down my neck.
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