Prior to picking up Keeping Faith, all I knew of Picoult was what I had learned by watching the film version of My Sister's Keeper, which was shockingly real and such a bad Friday night movie choice for me. At the time, I was a caregiver for my Mom while she fought a similar battle with cancer. I cried through that entire movie, and think it placed some kind of Picoult stigma in my head.
I will never read My Sister's Keeper. Ever. Memories of seeing that movie and its impact on me can still make me morose for hours. However, I was enthralled by this notion that I write like her and sought out Keeping Faith.
I am about halfway through. I cannot put it down. The insinuation that I have anywhere near this woman's talent is perhaps the best compliment I have received as a writer. I don't think I am Picoult's writing twin; however, I have written two novels and she has written dozens. Maybe one day I could boast to have her talent, though I want a style all my own-- perhaps fraternal writing twins.
And while you mull that over, for the second day in a row I share a picture of my sister and me, fitting only because we are often mistaken for twins even though I am much older.
