Yes, Mark Twain is at the top of my list of great American writers. One of the first real books I remember reading is Tom Sawyer, and since I just read it again, it’s one of the last ones I’ve read.. 

When I started writing the series I call “Richard, the Paperboy” the style of Mark Twain greatly influenced my writing. Initially, I strayed away from the voice of the 12 year old country boy, Richard, but after a New York editor commented, “It sound as if a grandfather is telling the story, not a 12 year old country boy.” I changed the voice of Richard. He was right, of course, and from that day forward the voice of Richard became as authentic as I could make it. Of course, a few English Teacher balked at the grammar, but I think the voice of Richard telling the story is the key element in the books.

Phrases such as, “I’m “fixing” to go fishing.” are so southern common that I had to put them in, as well as “gonna” for going to, and “hafta” for have to. However, I did run into a reviewer who missed the voice of Richard completely. My latest in the Richard Series is titled, “How Me and John Clayton Saved the World.” Of course, I know that’s not the proper grammar, but it’s the way Richard would say it. The reviewer didn’t read the book, but he gave me a one start review because he thought the title was indicative of my overall ability to communicate. Actually, a five star review followed his one star the next day as another reviewer understood the voice of Richard.

So, my advice to writers is very simple: Make your voice as authentic as you can make it. If you do, your reader will identify better with your protagonist, and you will have a much better book.