Do you have repeat authors? Do you look for all the books written by an author and read them more than once? These books call you back to visit their created lands and people—like returning to a favorite vacation spot.

Two authors on my repeat list are Robin McKinley and Louise Penny. They write in different genres, YA/Fantasy and who-done-its respectively, but what they have in common is character development. Their books are full of human beings—flawed and complicated—changing as their story unfolds just as we do through our life experiences. All of them are in community—aren’t we all?—some accepted, some rejected, some reviled. But the authors treat them all with respect and care.

I want to write like that.

Some of you are already yawning. Wait. There’s something for you, too. My husband loves books with pace and action, and he is the one who handed me my first Louise Penny book. Both authors’ books are full of twists and turns, surprises and anticipation, clues and development.

I want to write like that.

Another element that sneaks up on you is the exploration of topics. By the middle of the books you find yourself thinking about what the characters are dealing with and their reactions. Without interrupting the story, Louise Penny and Robin McKinley present matters that we face in our own lives. What do the characters do? How would you react in their place?

I want to write like that.

Louise Penny and Robin McKinley, keep writing! You bless so many of us with your words.