Writers: Terry Brooks and His Novels, His Writing in the Fantasy Genre (Or Is He A Good Writer?)

Many people will say that they have either heard of or read the books of bestselling author Terry Brooks. He is best known as a writer of fantasy, but as a young writer he wrote in many other genres. He has also written two novelizations of movies. This migt lead to teh question of since he has been writing for so many years would many readers consider him a good writer?

He is a fine writer and his books provide welcome relief to boredom and give an evening of imagination and fun. Like Harry Potter they are a good start to reading enjoyment.

Perhaps it is because my very first book I bought was by him. I remember I was eleven and after saving my hard earned allowance, my mother allowed me to go to the store, alone to buy what I wanted. I had exactly 9 dollars to spend. I still don't understand to this day what she thought was so funny with telling me not to spend the pennies. I didn't have any then. Either way, off to the book store I went.

The science fiction and fantasy was located in the side and the store owner told me that I would probably like this book, and I had the correct change to buy it. (I did in fact have the correct change he wasn't being nice by a couple of cents.) which book was it? The Sword of Shannara, the anniversary edition. (I'm not telling you which one, it will give my age a bit to much!)

That evening I sat down in a comfortable chair, and was allowed to stay awake late, provided that I read the book, no TV. I did, and I even enjoyed a glass of hot chocolate my mother made for me. I stopped to ask a few questions on words, which she happily answered. That was the first evening into the land of books, and the longing to be a writer.

Still I want to answer this question other than that back story what makes Terry Brooks one of my more favorite authors?

His writing style, one which is an easy read and if you enjoy the fantasy he is one of the better authors to begin with. The reading level is good for a young adult and the first of his many books, the Sword of Shannara, is reputed to be an homage to the Lord of the Rings.

The other thing that I enjoy about Brooks is that over the nearly 30 years he's been writing he hasn't simply worked on the Shannara series. There were, and are, others the Landover series, and the Word and Void series. Each of them is a fun read, although I see a more mature audience taking to the Word and the Void series, as they are more for an older age group, the ones he had so long ago.

His main focus is on Shannara, and there are about 20 books in the series. The three original books are by far the best, but it will take a fantasy reader back a ways, as they are from a time period that used the back story explanation of "as you know the history of this event, I'll explain it more ( for the reader's sake.)" He doesn't do this anymore, and does memory back story. This essentially means that the character is remembering the event and not telling it to another person. I feel it makes the writing flow better as there is action even in the back story. It also allows the reader to gain a sense of teh past with this book.

The one thing which I am unsure of is the most recent of his series, the back history of Shannara where he merges two series. while this is new to me as a long time reader of his books, it shows some wonderful imagination and creativity on the part of Terry Brooks.

One of the more helpful books he has written is Sometimes the Magic Works. For any writer this is a good book to have as he gives his own ideas and suggestions for writing. I enjoyed it and the suggestions, but it is a starting book, not something for a more advanced writing book. Still a good book to have.

The reason I enjoy Terry Brooks writing is because it is varied and different, and becauseof some very good memories of my own very first book. Of all the series he's written I still enjoy the first three Shannara books. ( the Sword of Shannara, the Elfstones of Shannara and the Wishsong of Shannara.) I am currently reading his newest book from the Landover Series. I enjoy every minute, a glass of hot chocolate and memories....

The Question can be asked by many if Terry Brroks is a good writer. After all he has published upwards of twenty bestsellers. He is what most writers want to be-- a published author.

Is he a good writer?

His novels have a bit of a formula, but at the same time he has published boks which are listed ont eh New York times. these days I suspect he is like most published authors who have seen success.

He does not want to rock the boat. After all he had Shannara and Landover which are two successful series and the Word and the Void which he combined with Shannara.

There is his mistake-- the combination. I do not think that many of his readers enjoyed it as much. He might have left it alone and seen more success.