Following a celebrity on Twitter really is a singular experience. For
most of us, it’s as close as we’ll get to having a conversation with
the people who inspire us. For literature enthusiasts, Twitter can be a
particularly powerful tool thanks to its ability to give us an inside
look into the creative process of our favorite writers.
With so many writers on Twitter, how do you know which ones are worth following? Here’s a look at some of your best choices.
1. Stephen King: @StephenKing
Is there a more famous writer than Stephen King? He’s not only known
as a world-class writer of original and groundbreaking stories, but as
one of the world’s foremost authorities on the writing process, making
him an obvious choice, whether you’re a burgeoning writer, or simply a
lover of literature.
2. Chuck Palahniuk @ChuckPalahniuk
Following Mr. Palahniuk on Twitter is a lot easier than trying to pronounce his last name. His books, such as the legendary
Fight Club, have brought us some ridiculously memorable lines (“They’re like someone who quits
smoking
on his deathbed”). So why wouldn’t you want to get an insider’s look
into his process? Best of all, Palahniuk makes a point of interacting
with his fans as frequently as he can.
3. John Green: @RealJohnGreen and @SportsWithJohn
John Green has been making waves recently with his latest novel,
The Fault in Our Stars.
Green is especially in the spotlight now, because of the book’s
upcoming film adaptation. While he’s undoubtedly a gifted and celebrated
author, his Twitter followers are treated to a wide variety of musings
that cover everything from computer problems and sports, to the
philosophical underpinnings of his books.
4. Margaret Atwood: @MargaretAtwood
Having written a number of bold novels such as
The Handmaid’s Tale and
Surfacing,
Atwood is a celebrated writer by any measure. Her Twitter account
doesn’t aim to build an audience for her books, but instead frequently
calls attention to important social and political issues, such as
education reform.
5. Judy Blume: @JudyBlume
Though she may be best known as the author of a number of legendary
children’s books, Judy Blume’s Twitter account is a goldmine for people
of all ages. Her tweets have a tendency to cover personal events in her
life, including her frequent travels, and help to shed some light on her
creative process.
6. James Patterson: @JP_Books
As one of America’s most prolific authors, James Patterson boasts
more than 52,000 followers. And with good reason: when fans aren’t
losing themselves in his latest thriller, they can witness Patterson
himself interacting with his characters via their own dedicated Twitter
accounts or seemingly
being kidnapped by them.
7. Neil Gaiman: @NeilHimself
While he’s an undisputed legend in the world of “genre fiction”
thanks to his books (such as “American Gods”) and his comics
(“Sandman”), Mr. Gaiman’s delightful personality will prove infectious
even to people unfamiliar with his work. His tweets are as varied as his
literary works, encompassing his personal life and random thoughts he
has throughout the day.
There are plenty of other excellent writers where these seven came
from, but hopefully this is a good starting point. If there’s a writer
that you respect, why not
follow them on Twitter and drop them a note? Who knows – they may just write back.
