Writers like Robert Louis Stevenson never had a taste for the family business and his family couldn't care less for his choice of career: writing. Reports have it the older Stevenson was exasperated by his son's decision to become a writer. Every generation has witnessed scuffles within families triggered by career choices of kids who are consequently, tagged black sheep for their decisions. Usually, the family business is at stake if the black sheep's cause is upheld.
However, there are several instances of a son or daughter rising to the occasion and taking up the gauntlet thrown down by a parent. What gives these peculiar moments magic is the pleasure of having an heir to carry on a beloved superstar/celebrity's legacy. A few great writers have been so honored by such deserving heirs. This article lists a handful of them.
Christopher Reuel Tolkien
Christopher Tolkien is the J. R. R. Tolkien's youngest son who is credited for doing extensive editorial work on unpublished works of his legendary father. The younger Tolkien who once classified Peter Jackson's live action adaption of his father's most popular work, The Lord of the Rings trilogy as "an action film for 25-year-olds," was responsible for putting the finishes touches and publication of Tolkien's The Silmarillion.
Christopher Tolkien edited and published many of his father's uncompleted manuscripts including: Unfinished Tales (1980); The History of Middle-Earth published in twelve volumes (1983-1996); The Children of Hurin (2007) and The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun (2009).
Simon Mario Reuel Tolkien
Simon Tolkien is the grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien and the first son of Christopher Tolkien. He is a British novelist and resides in Southern California. Right from his fortieth birthday, Simon Tolkien has written several novels. He was the member of the Tolkien family who cooperated and supported the makers of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy despite his father's (Christopher Tolkien) advice that the Tolkien estate have nothing to do with it.
Simon's published novels:
The Stepmother (2002); The Inheritance (2010); The King of Diamonds (2011); Orders from Berlin (2012).
Joe Hill
Joseph Hillstrom King better known by his pen name Joe King is the first son of writers Stephen and Tabitha King. Joe Hill who treads in his parents' footprints has taken to horror fiction. His desire to succeed based solely on his own merits rather than as the son of Stephen King led him to use the abbreviated form of his name.
Joe Hill has won many awards for his stories and written two novels and several short story collections including comics. His first novel Heart-Shaped Box reached #8 on the New York Times bestseller list.
His works include: 20th Century Ghosts (2005, collection); Heart-Shaped Box (2007); Horns (2010);
Comics: Locke & Key (2008); Kodiak (2010); The Cape (2010); The Cape (2011); The Cape: 1969 (2012).
His brother Owen King is also a writer.
Dirk Cussler
Son of Adventure writer Clive Cussler and namesake of his father's most famous character Dirk Pitt. Dirk Cussler has co-written several novels involving his namesake character with his father. It's beyond certain he will inherit and continue his father's literary legacy.
Cussler currently serves as President of NUMA, Clive Cussler's non-profit foundation National Underwater and Marine Agency which has discovered over 60 shipwreck sites.
Novels co-written with Clive Cussler include:
Black Wind (2004); Treasure of Khan (2006); Arctic Drift (2008); Crescent Dawn (2010); Poseidon's Arrow (2012).
Christopher Rice
Christopher Rice, full name Christopher Travis Rice is the son of poet Stan and Gothic writer Anne Rice. Unlike his mother, Christopher Rice writes thrillers, fantasy, and historical fiction. His five novels were all bestsellers.
Rice never graduated from university and abandoned his studies at a school of the Arts to pursue a career in screen play writing.
His novels include:
A Density of Souls (200); Snow Garden (2001); Light Before Day (2005); Blind Fall (2008); The Moonlit Earth (2010) The Heavens Rise (2013).
It's always a thrill to realize your favorite writers' legacy will be preserved long after they depart this terrestrial plane. Tolkien's son and grandson have excelled exceedingly in this arena, warming their father's and grandfather's memory to the hearts of fans around the world. It's a beautiful thing to reflect on these as amazing as these and to learn to be persuaded thereby.
Keep your pen bleeding.
Akpan
Simon Mario Reuel Tolkien
Simon Tolkien is the grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien and the first son of Christopher Tolkien. He is a British novelist and resides in Southern California. Right from his fortieth birthday, Simon Tolkien has written several novels. He was the member of the Tolkien family who cooperated and supported the makers of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy despite his father's (Christopher Tolkien) advice that the Tolkien estate have nothing to do with it.
Simon's published novels:
The Stepmother (2002); The Inheritance (2010); The King of Diamonds (2011); Orders from Berlin (2012).
Joe Hill
Joseph Hillstrom King better known by his pen name Joe King is the first son of writers Stephen and Tabitha King. Joe Hill who treads in his parents' footprints has taken to horror fiction. His desire to succeed based solely on his own merits rather than as the son of Stephen King led him to use the abbreviated form of his name.
Joe Hill has won many awards for his stories and written two novels and several short story collections including comics. His first novel Heart-Shaped Box reached #8 on the New York Times bestseller list.
His works include: 20th Century Ghosts (2005, collection); Heart-Shaped Box (2007); Horns (2010);
Comics: Locke & Key (2008); Kodiak (2010); The Cape (2010); The Cape (2011); The Cape: 1969 (2012).
His brother Owen King is also a writer.
Dirk Cussler
Son of Adventure writer Clive Cussler and namesake of his father's most famous character Dirk Pitt. Dirk Cussler has co-written several novels involving his namesake character with his father. It's beyond certain he will inherit and continue his father's literary legacy.
Cussler currently serves as President of NUMA, Clive Cussler's non-profit foundation National Underwater and Marine Agency which has discovered over 60 shipwreck sites.
Novels co-written with Clive Cussler include:
Black Wind (2004); Treasure of Khan (2006); Arctic Drift (2008); Crescent Dawn (2010); Poseidon's Arrow (2012).
Christopher Rice
Christopher Rice, full name Christopher Travis Rice is the son of poet Stan and Gothic writer Anne Rice. Unlike his mother, Christopher Rice writes thrillers, fantasy, and historical fiction. His five novels were all bestsellers.
Rice never graduated from university and abandoned his studies at a school of the Arts to pursue a career in screen play writing.
His novels include:
A Density of Souls (200); Snow Garden (2001); Light Before Day (2005); Blind Fall (2008); The Moonlit Earth (2010) The Heavens Rise (2013).
It's always a thrill to realize your favorite writers' legacy will be preserved long after they depart this terrestrial plane. Tolkien's son and grandson have excelled exceedingly in this arena, warming their father's and grandfather's memory to the hearts of fans around the world. It's a beautiful thing to reflect on these as amazing as these and to learn to be persuaded thereby.
Keep your pen bleeding.
Akpan
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