And so continues our week-long celebration of Author Appreciation Week. This initiative was sparked by 2010 debut author Heidi R. Kling (see here for more details). I decided to pick 5 favorite authors + 5 anticipated authors to show my appreciation for. I’ll post one from each group each day, Monday – Friday. My first post is here. My second post is here. My third post is here.
FAVORITE AUTHOR: Maureen Johnson. If you can say one thing about MJ, it’s that she is originally hysterical. All. The. Time. She has a blog, but it’s her Twitter account that has legions of fans. Everyone tries to outwit her, but MJ comes out on top every time by saying the thing you least expect, but yet is the cleverest thing no one else thought of. It’s not really all that surprising since she keeps us (her followers) in jars. In fact, it’s very likely that she actually IS Twitter.
Oh yeah, she writes books too. MJ’s books are just as humorous as her online presence, except they move on a more linear scale. Her characters are endearing and believable and the plot lines are just slightly off the wall enough to make you feel like you’re escaping the doldrums of your own life. Her books are consistently entertaining and frankly, that’s one of the main reasons why I read. I want to dart away from the dreariness of every day life and MJ’s books happily invite you to do so. If you haven’t already, I suggest you check them out.
ANTICIPATED AUTHOR: Tawna Fenske. You may remember her from this post of mine. I know I know. Twice in one week. But I can’t help gushing. It’s because her Twitter and blog showcase her awesomely inappropriate and always, ALWAYS laugh out loud writing. I’m not one to ever write “lol” but sometimes Tawna’s writing makes me giggle so fiercely, that’s all I can type. For someone who is this liberal in telling about her own life, I cannot wait to see what she’s going to reveal about the characters in her stories.
From her tales of social awkwardness to scene writing to how she got a 3 book deal from Sourcebooks, I am addicted to her writing and, also, to her personal story. She’s the poster child of perserverence and maintaining a slapstick attitude about it. (I’m thinking the road ahead of me is going to be long, so I best take some cues from her). I don’ t know if she just attracts absurd situations or if her telling of the stories makes them more so, but I think she’s the perfect person to write romance. Because sometimes it’s not glamorous and I have a feeling Tawna’s going to tell it like it is. The first of her books is due out in August 2011, but you know what? The world has been deprived of her work for too long. Let’s unleash the beast!
Abigail Mumford 
I have yet to read a book by Maureen Johnson, but her tweets ARE freakin’ hysterical! I love that she creates Twitter accounts for her alter egos, fictional characters, etc. — esp. the insane neighbor who thought MJ was being too noisy :)
actually, i’m pretty sure that she isn’t the one creating those alter ego accounts. i’m pretty sure it’s her followers in an attempt to outwit her. but i could be wrong.
hm, interesting… i never even though about that! for whatever reason i just assumed it was her! :) but it makes sense!