By Gwendolyn M Plano
Author John W. Howell A few years ago, I began writing full-time, and then discovered neighbors and other area folks who were doing the same. Writers are a quiet bunch, spending much of their time at their computer, invisible to the world around them – except by the books they create.
Author E. B. White claimed that, “Writers do not merely reflect and interpret life, they inform and shape life.” He suggests that writers have a responsibility to their readers and to society that goes beyond the story being told, for he sees writers as potential change agents.
When I read White’s statement, I sat back and thought of writers who have influenced my understanding of life, and the list is very long. I thought of Harmony Kent and her masterpiece Finding Katie which addresses self-harm; I reflected on the work of Nonnie Jules, whose book Daydream’s Daughter, Nightmare’s Friend irreversibly changes how a reader sees child abuse; I considered Michael Lyons’ book There is a Reaper which chronicles the treachery of a child dying of cancer; and, I thought of John W. Howell, whose thriller series focuses on the common man manifesting uncommon valor.
Writers hold immense power if they inform and shape life as White claims. All of the writers mentioned above do just that, and I unqualifiedly recommend them to you.
Of special note, however, is My GRL by John Howell, because today is its relaunch – new cover, fresh editing, but the story remains: a successful San Francisco lawyer buys a boat (My GRL) that has been targeted by a terrorist group. The lawyer (the common man) is at the center of the action, standing between terrorists and their mission. This is the first book of the 3-book series, and it is being offered at the introductory price of 99 cents on Kindle.
Should you read any of the authors mentioned above, I’d love to hear your thoughts about whether they have informed and shaped life as E. B. White suggests. From my vantage point, they are the unnoticed heroes among us.
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