[Wayne Batson]

Stephen King in his book "On Writing" said that when he meets people, there's one thing they never ask about...the craft. He went on to explain that so much of what makes a story tick is the wording, the turns of phrases, authentic dialogue, active, apt verbs, etc.

Give an example, a short example, of the craft of an author you like--the way he turns a phrase, describes something, sets the hook, or just makes you sit back and go...COOOL!!

Here's one I like from Erikson GoTM:

The conversation between young Ganoes Paran and the commander:
Mock's Vane swung once more. Hot smoke rolled over the wall, engulfing them. A reek of burning cloth, scorched paint and stone, and now of something sweet. "An abattoir's caught fire," Ganoes said. "Pigs."
The commander grimmaced. After a long moment, he sighed and leaned back down on the merlon. "As you say, boy, as you say."

I just love how SE understates what's really happening in the burning city, how the wiser-than-he-should-be Paran is still naive about some things. Clever wording, moody description, just plain cool.:cool:

[Blackwing]

How could I resist an opening like that? If I end up writing to this topic every few days it's all your fault. :D

Steven Brust: Phoenix
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like when things are going wrong - your wife is ready to leave you, all of your notions about yourself and the world are getting turned around, everything you trusted is becoming questionable - there's nothing like having someone try to kill you to take your mind off your problems.

Ah, the master of long, rambling sentences that still manage to work.