As a reader, I always love finding books that appeal to me. As a writer, I am twice as pleased when the authors also provide Masterclasses for me within their books.
Masterclasses take place when performance artists or musicians work one-on-one with students. Writers don't generally have this option, but I have found some books to be Masterclasses for characters, dialogue, backstories, plots, settings, and/or voice.
Nora Roberts as JD Robb provides a Masterclass in writing a series where the two leads, Eve and Roarke, aren't only memorable as a tough, attractive homicide lieutenant and a gorgeous, brilliant, and occasionally ruthless billionaire, but also for their backstories which aren't even completely revealed through the 35th book. Yes, there are 35 books in this series, plus a few novellas, and it's still going strong.
The plotting is top notch. In each book, Eve and Roarke, along with co-workers, friends, and relatives, catch criminals and murderers.
The series works so well because the author also gave both leads very complicated, emotional, stark, scary, and overwhelming childhoods so there is plenty of conflict within and between them. This also influences how they do their jobs and deal with plot twists springing from their dark pasts. (PLEASE NOTE: These books contain adult situations, language, and graphic violence.)
The author set this series about 50 years in the future with helpful robots, AutoChefs that provide delicious meals with the ease of microwaves in both homes and cars—and some of these cars can hover over traffic accidents and "fly" to get to crime scenes faster. All of this technology makes life easier, mostly.
In another twist, the main characters get married early on. The marriage is sometimes another layer of conflict as Eve and Roarke occasionally fight and feel the need for distance, but they also acknowledge the strength and security this bond gives them. Their dialogue takes on various undertones depending on their moods which anyone in a long-term relationship will recognize.
The supporting cast has grown wonderfully as the series progressed. These characters provide a great deal of humor to books that have very dark sides. Murder isn't neat or easy in these books, but all the characters have personalities, backstories, and lives outside the crimes which enhance the plots and keep readers waiting impatiently for the next installment.
I am narrowing down Nora Roberts' vast successes to her Stars of Mithra series—Hidden Star, Captive Star, and Secret Star. These books are an excellent way to learn about longer-term plotting as the conflict and action, which centers around one long weekend from the viewpoints of three best friends, has to last through three books.
As in most books, some characters are privy to information that others are not, but the information (in this case, two intertwined crimes) affects everyone because of the choices the first best friend makes. Each of the other two main characters then takes action based on her personality traits and strengths which add depth to the books. The men they run from, run into, hire, are suspected by, and fall in love with also have strengths, knowledge, and backgrounds to add their own spins on the various situations they find themselves in.
The dialogue is well done, witty, and at times filled with outrageous lies. As romances, happy endings are guaranteed, but this plot keeps readers engaged until the very end.
What authors have provided Masterclasses for you?
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