I chose these five listens because they are a good representation of what I aspire for my work to become. Some are long fiction, others short, and one is nonfiction. I pull inspiration from anywhere. A simple phrase can be my muse, or a wild theory about the origins of man can expand into something completely obscure. I also appreciate deep character development, so self-help books are an integral part of my toolkit. They fulfill the desire to understand why people behave the way they do and provide a deep understanding of their wounds. All of my recommended authors—perhaps with the exception of the nonfiction writers—know how to weave words and paint pictures, which is ideally what you want for a good audiobook. —Chené Lawson, author of All Things Undone
I love it—not because of the profoundly rich world-building or the fact that the characters are so complicated and never just black and white—but because the dysfunction and utter diabolicalness of the family lineage depicted in the story make my family look sane. Facts.
Legend. She writes of a dystopic 2025 where the ruler wants to “Make America Great Again.” Prophet? Fiction writer? Or both? Not sure. But I am clear that what struck me the most was this idea that clinging on to one's humanity in the midst of a crumbling world is integral.
The October Country is a collection of short stories authored by a fellow Illinoisan. I love Mr. Bradbury and use this book to provide inspiration on how to use metaphors. The way his characters move and how their seemingly simple worlds are described with such “flavor” and unrelenting emotion is like watching a wizard pull magic out of the ether.
He talks about how intention isn’t the act of doing something with determination but an energy you hold that draws things to you, and he delves into self-healing ideas. I think to be able to dissect and develop complicated characters, you need to have some sense of yourself not just as a writer but as a person. I’m really into being conscious, and my awareness, in turn, helps me build more complex and flawed characters.
If lost civilization theorists had a godfather, he’d be it. I love any non-fiction book that questions the standard narrative. I like to plumb these theories because they are rich with seeds for ideas. No matter where they land in truth or not, they expand my creative mind.
Chené Lawson, a native of Chicago, is a Webby award-winning writer, and actress. Her acting credits include MTV’s Punk’d, CBS’s The Young & The Restless, and ABC’s My Wife & Kids. She studied sketch writing and character development in The Sunday Co. under the direction of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Jim Rash. She recently adapted two of N.K. Jemisin's short stories for an Audible Original audiobook, titled Amorph.
