The Writers Voice offers an opportunity to get to know the people behind the pages: Who they are, what they are like, how they think, and things that are unique to them as people.
Our permanent team of 12 authors answer one question:
Is there one book that has had an impact on not only your writing, but on you personally?
Harry Potter (well, that’s seven books, but it was around book two or three that it really began impacting me). I was in awe of Rowling’s creativity and imagination. These books reminded me how fun it is to open your mind and let your imagination run wild, in writing and in life. They also provided extensive bonding moments with my kids since I read them aloud (the first time I read them). We’ve hit midnight releases (books and movies), played video games and went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.
The Lord of the Rings. I first read this in sixth grade, and was blown away by the beauty of the language and the story. I was especially impressed that JRR Tolkien was an English professor at Oxford, and yet I could understand him quite well. I’ve always loved language, but The Lord of the Rings cemented that for me and gave me a pretty high bar to reach for. It also showed me how wonderful it can be to sink into a story and let the world fade away.
~~ Danyelle Leafty, author of Catspell
I try to take a lesson away from every novel I read. I feel like every book is a part of an author’s heart that they are giving to their readers and leaving behind when they die. I know that might sound weird or overly romantic but it is why I take the novels I read so seriously. They show you how a person thinks, feels, and imagines the world around them or other worlds of their own. I think the novel that influenced me most was In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce. Alanna was such a force of nature that I could look up to her while still being able to relate to her. Her fight to overcome insurmountable odds really inspired me. It changed everything for me.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. It was the first novel to introduce me to fantastical worlds and beautiful imagination. Not only did I begin writing my own fantasies and paranormal shorts when I was kid, but it gave me an escape at a time I most needed it, and it opened my eyes to the real beauty of reading. I’ve been a book addict ever since.
~~ Samantha Young, author of Moon Spell
I’m a writer because of the Twilight phenom. Stephenie’s bio hit home and her writing style gave me the courage to try. I hoped and dreamed for people to love my stories and for a stream of income to come from it. Today, I’m so totally blown away by the chain of events that led me up to this point. God has been good. And I’m happy to say, three years later, my son is going to typical kindergarten and doing awesome. And I won’t be going back to a job either. Yipee!
I think every book that you read impacts your life and writing in some way. There is one book that is nonfiction that helped me see my individualism and allowed me to do research for my novels at the same time – The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk. If you have an interest in this science, I highly recommend this book.
~~ Jamie Magee, author of Insight
Philip Pulman’s His Dark Materials.
C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. As a preteen, these stories were so magical to me and I used to wish I could go to Narnia like the Pevensie siblings did.
~~ Victoria Simcox, author of The Magic Warble
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It changed my life and I’ve read it multiple times.
Definitely The Hobbit. I adore that book and must’ve read it a hundred times.
~~ Jayde Scott, author of Doomed
I think most of the books I’ve read have had an impact on me, especially when it comes to my writing.
~~ Jessica Sorensen, author of The Fallen Star
I have to admit, I am a Twilight lover. I hadn’t written anything in a really, really long time before I read Twilight, but something about that book just woke me back up! After I devoured it, I just felt like I had to write something again or it would kill me! I also loved Andrew Davidson’s The Gargoyle. His words are beautiful and it really made me want to improve my own writing.
The Writers Voice also hosts guest authors such as:
Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird is a beautiful memoir about writing, but also about living. Anne constantly reminds us not to judge ourselves, to let go of our fear, and to get the words on the page. Good reminders for anyone, writer or not.”
Probably Twilight for the reasons stated above. It was the impetus to get me started writing. Otherwise, I’d have to say it would be the old-school romance authors like Johanna Lindsey, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Nora Roberts. Those ladies know romance!
~~ M. Leighton, author of Wiccan
There are so many of them I don’t know where to begin, but let’s begin with Shiver by Maggie Steifvater, The Mortal Instruments by Cassie Clare, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. All of them taught me a lot about my craft and hit me personally.
~~ Rhiannon Paille, author of Flame of Surrender
Yes, absolutely! The Sweep sries by Cate Tiernan. The reason is because it’s well written, and there are a lot of books, but they’re relatively short which makes it easier for young readers to finish reading each book in it’s entirety.
Comments are closed.