I just heard that Phyllis Whitney died in early February at 104.
I can still remember finding one of her books, The Quicksilver Pool, in the library and getting so lost in the pages, I didn’t hear my mom telling me it was time to go home.
Now THAT’S a writer. Phyllis was still writing and publishing books until she was 94–most of us can only hope for a career like that! She said she wouldn’t stop writing until she got ‘old’. You gotta love that, too!
Phyllis Whitney’s books made me sigh, made me cringe and made me believe completely in her world. Her ability for scene setting made that world so real, that I lived every moment with her characters. Thankfully, her books will be around forever, and isn’t that a kind of immortality? As writers, we craft stories, choose words and create characters we hope will touch people. Just as I hope that right now, there’s a young girl in a library somewhere, discovering The Quicksilver Pool–(oh, and maybe one of my books, too!)
Phyllis also had some great advice for aspiring writers–
Ms. Whitney ascribed her success as a writer to persistence and an abiding faith in her abilities. “Never mind the rejections, the discouragement, the voices of ridicule (there can be those too),†she wrote in “Guide to Fiction Writing.†“Work and wait and learn, and that train will come by. If you give up, you’ll never have a chance to climb aboard.â€
So thanks, Phyllis, for the great books, for the nudge toward writing you gave me, and so many others–and I hope right now, you’re on the best research trip ever, about to write a book for Heavenly Publication.
Maureen Child is the author of more than 100 books and novellas. At the moment, she’s rereading a couple of her favorite Phyllis Whitney books………….
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A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers.
The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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A Slice of Orange started in 2004 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the UK, all across the US to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we feature blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers.
The bright segments of the writing and reading community that make up one perfect entity—A Slice of Orange.
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Oooh, Kate!! Mary Stewart….. the Moonspinners was GREAT! But let’s not forget TOUCH NOT THE CAT or MADAM WILL YOU TALK…..awesome.
And hey, Victoria Holt!
Ah the days of great Gothics!!
What a life she had!
That’s a very nice tribute, Maureen. And you’re right, it wouldn’t be heaven without books. 🙂
I loved Mary Stewart, too! OMG, The Moonspinners. ::big sigh::
Hey Jen….Well, I know Phyllis LOVED taking research trips! And right about now, I figure she’s on the biggest one ever! And seriously. How could it be Heaven without BOOKS??
Gina……..Ah, Phyllis and Mary Stewart were my heros…God bless libraries.
This made me smile too.
I also remember getting completely lost in a Phyllis Whitney, and then devouring everything I could find by her. I think it’s time for a trip to the library . . .
Maureen what a lovely and fitting tribute! I just heard she had passed away and was very saddened. But your comment:
“…and I hope right now, you’re on the best research trip ever, about to write a book for Heavenly Publication.”
really made me smile.