by Molly Jo Realy (@MollyJoRealy)
A Few of My Favorite Fictional Writers
“I write for the same reason I breathe. Because if I didn’t, I would die.”
~Isaac Asimov
Lemme ask you something: What’s your go-to media vibe?
Put it another way: Do you find yourself drawn to the same character type? I’m not talking genres like action flicks (hello, Indiana Jones) or rom-coms (Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks always get my vote). Genres have multitudes of subgenres and tropes. You wouldn’t necessarily consider Ghostbusters to be a romance, but it does have an off-brand romantic thread that plays into the overall story arc. The Conjuring Universe is all about horror, but also has elements of true-life storytelling.
We’re drawn to specific beats of music, atmospheres (rain on pavement anyone?), sweet or savory tastes.
Sometimes we’re unaware of what draws us until someone points it out.
We just know it’s a good fit.
My daughter was ten years old when I discovered through her that green and orange were my favorite colors. When I asked why she thought so, she pointed out those were the candy colors I always saved for last. She pulled me to the closet where over half my attire was comprised of those two shades. Various hues and tones, but green and orange nonetheless. Now, before y’all start sending me junk journaling and painting supplies, please note my color preferences have changed since then. While still enamored with greens (hello, Mary Bennet’s dress!), I find myself mesmerized by lovely blues (Stitch/626 for the win!), cranberry reds, and most recently (insert gasp here!), pink lemonade. Yes, Tammy. Yes, I am talking about my new TWSBI fountain pen.
I don’t know when I realized this, but I don’t think you’d be surprised to find out my favorite stories are the ones that include storytellers.
My journals are full of quotes and inspirations. Sketches based on scenes. Words curved into shapes of art.
Writers who create characters who write are some of my favorite writers.
Characters who write are some of my favorite characters.
Here are my seven favorite fictional writers:
1. Jo March
My first go-to gal is, no surprise here. Whether in print, audio, or video, this Little Women heroine exudes everything I felt growing up, and everything I strive to be. From a poor but happy, awkward girl to a confident writer, teacher, wife, and mother. She takes lemons and makes delicious pink lemonade (see what I did there?).
2. John-Boy Walton
Besides the Brady Bunch, the Waltons is the first show I can remember scrambling to the living room floor to watch faithfully every week. The stories of a simpler time, overcoming obstacles, sure. Those were good. But it’s John-Boy’s struggles to put words on paper that keep me watching to this day. Who didn’t cry when he went off to New York only to find Elizabeth’s favorite writer had passed away? And, yes. Sometimes my loved ones still call me “Mary Ellen,” but I think that’s only because I’m the one who still signs off the family text thread with “Good night, John-Boy.”
3. Rory Gilmore
Hot button topic. After recently binging all 157 episodes (BTW, I want my 20 minutes back from the Summer musical episode), I can say Rory hasn’t always been the best role model. But she does apply herself to every article she writes. No storytelling shirker here. She makes do in whatever writer-related capacity she’s placed. Her inspiration comes in the uncertainty and changes life brings. Dreams of Harvard journalism pivot to Yale then a return home to run the local paper. As long as words are in her life, Rory Gilmore succeeds.
4. Kat Landry
If you’re not familiar with this Hallmark+ romantic time-travel series (see? There they go, mixing genres!), you should be. Kat Landry was a reporter who lost her job and transplanted herself and her rebellious teen daughter to a new, old home with Kat’s mother who is, uhmmm … shall we say, the reason Kat left home twenty years ago. Upon her return, she starts to write a story and turns reporter again. But that’s not why I like Kat. She’s a mom struggling to do the best she can while navigating a life full of challenges, ups, downs, disappointments, and incredible surprises (of the good kind). And, yeah. She gets to be best friends with her daughter Alice who time-jumps and finds her mom as a teenager, sharing the same familial struggles with Del that Alice has/had with Kat.
5. Paul Varjak
At first mention, Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s conjures visuals of soft teal blues, white ribbons, and Audrey Hepburn in a simple black dress. But the male protagonist is just as important. Paul Varjak is the movie character based on the book’s unnamed narrator. A kept man who struggles to write until he finds Holly Golightly and discovers life, adventure, and heartbreak. He calls her out on her double standards. She calls him out on his lack of success. He is not dissuaded from writing, which makes him a stronger person than she gives him credit for.
6. Kathleen Kelly
You’ve Got Mail is one of those cozy movies I can watch over and over. It’s good for a light Friday night viewing, or in-depth character study. It’s my friend Lynn’s favorite movie and she uses it to teach suspense writing. That’s right: even a good romcom without explosions holds plenty of suspense. Kathleen owns an indie bookstore. Her email exchanges with Joe Fox carry the movie. While not a reporter or published author, the dynamics of writing and books are integral to the movie and influence her thoughts and actions throughout.
7. Sam Seaborn
Not everyone is familiar with The West Wing. This award-winning brainchild of the brilliant Aaron Sorkin still gets airplay today. With September’s arrival, I’ll be watching the blue boxed collector’s edition DVD set (with commentaries) through the season. Sam is the Deputy Communications Director and presidential speechwriter. If there’s ever a job I would love in life, that might be it. His writing isn’t a superpower, and we’re often reminded of his humanity as he struggles to write national condolences, a birthday message, “one more thing,” or change the opening line from “As I look out over this magnificent vista…”
Who are your favorite fictional writers? https://wp.me/p8MD1Y-Kr Share on XNow it’s your turn:
Who are some of your favorite fictional writers?
Come alive, stay wild, and always, savor the journey.
~M.
A Southern hippiechick at heart, Molly Jo Realy is author of the romantic location mystery novel, NOLA: Undeaux, and creator of the Book Builder Workbook. Also an author coach, she encourages people to embrace their unique talents to share their stories as only they can. Addicted to God, cats, tea, planners, and pens, in no particular order. Follow her on X (Twitter), Instagram and join her Facebook Community Mojo Sparkle for more fun!
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