LKH- making mistakes so we don't have to

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Okay, children! The lesson for today is simple: What have you learnt from LKH?

Weird question, I know, but whether it’s good or bad, what do you think you’ve learnt from reading her books? And I mean absolutely anything- whether it’s how to create interesting character dynamics or just that proof reading really is a lifesaver. I just wanted to throw that out there.

Personally, I think the biggest things I’ve learnt are to do with juggling enormous casts of characters, naming and worlds. LKH has a ghastly amount of characters that are completely worthless or meaningless beyond being there for Anita or Merry to bonk and she does quite a poor job handling (haha, handling) all of them- I’m always forgetting who characters are, to be honest.

The second thing was naming. As of late her names are getting worse and worse. Wicked? Truth? Requiem? Yikes. Okay, I don’t think I’d ever have strayed into that style of name but if anything, it’s made me very cautious about it anyway.

Lastly, I think we’re all in agreement that whether it was on purpose or by accident, LKH managed to create a thoroughly interesting and involving setting, particularly in Anita Blake. However, no way in hell does she ever fully utilise it. There’s so much of her world she could explore and so many things are just touched on briefly- it’s pretty frustrating. So, the last thing I’ve learnt is that if your world is as interesting and exciting as you think it is, show off as much of it as possible (within reason, of course)

So, in essence, what things have you taken away from here that you’ll use in your own writing?