SILVER - the Power of Voice

Plus, it has a stunning cover.

My first taste of SILVER was at a writing workshop in 2009. It was early morning, and I hadn't yet had my coffee (though I noticed that Veronica, who I didn’t know at the time, had already found a Starbucks across the street. Cue jealousy that I haven’t felt since I got to know her better.) I was nervous, because the great Ellen Hopkins was moderating our critique session. And because I had never shared pages from my new WIP, which would eventually become GILT.

So imagine: several women sitting around a circular table in a hotel conference room. Papers rustling, a cough, a delicate sip as Veronica drinks her coveted coffee. And then Talia begins to read.

The voice is to die for.

Like Donna, I am in awe of Talia’s ability to juggle complicated plot points, multiple characters, difficult scientific issues, magic and pacing. But mostly I am in awe of her characters. The way they interact, the way they relate to each other and the world around them, but especially their dialogue and Brianna’s original impressions of events.

For instance, in the first chapter, on the first page, Brianna goes to a party that her friend Haley calls “a rager”.  Brianna adds, internally,

The perfect combination of no parents, cute guys, and alcohol-fueled hook-ups.  I can almost smell the pheromones.  Then again, it could be the guy in the Padres jersey sweating tequila from his pores. 

Then Haley tells Brianna she smells like horse before spritzing her with vanilla body scent.  Padres jersey spills beer on her.  Brianna’s reaction?

Perfect.  Now I smell like a sticky patch of pavement at the state fair.  A magnet for future farmers and carnies alike.

Pitch-perfect, snappy, clever.  Just the kind of girl I’ve always wanted to be.  I know Talia works hard at this, but she makes it seem so effortless.  I love the sound of the words together, the kick I get out of it when the meaning sets in.  Now, whenever I read anything Talia has written, I hear her voice reading it.  Dry, witty, with a hint of a smile.

I’ve learned a lot from knowing Talia.  Critiquing with her.  Brainstorming.  Traveling.  Talia has a talent for analysis, for taking things apart and putting them back together, for seeing the big picture.  But her major writing talent is voice.

I’ve read SILVER more than once since that morning – through several of its incarnations.  I’ve read two versions of SPIES AND PREJUDICE and an early draft of GOLD.  And I feel the same way every.  Single.  Time. 

I’m so glad you can now, too.