Who are the writers that inspire you? It could be a writer that wrote something that got you through a hard time. A writer who's style you enjoy and want to emulate. Or, like in my case, a writer who's done something other than writing that inspired you.
Stephen King is always going to be one of my writing idols, not just because I'm from Maine, though that is a big part of it. Though it is inspiring to have such a prolific author from my home state, it's more that because I'm from Maine, I benefited from some of his charitable works. He's done a lot to try and improve Maine communities - keeping libraries open, and the arts alive, among many other things. So I've benefitted tangentially from some of those contributions, but he also affected my life much more directly.
The way I benefited most was from a large donation he made to keep "Camp Rainbow" running. At one point, he owned one of my earliest autographs, my little 5 year old scrawl, on a Camp Rainbow t-shirt, which was sent as a thank you. It's highly unlikely that he still has it, but who knows? Camp Rainbow, which has been renamed Camp Hope, is a week of summer camp for kids with cancer and their families. Without donations to keep it running, I never would have been able to experience summer camp, even without all the medical bills holding us back. It gave me so many good memories in the middle of a very rough time in our lives. I went back for many years, and enjoyed every minute of it (We'll just ignore the fact that I had to get 17 stitches my very first night there). I think they allowed kids to go back year after year as a way of inspiring those who were still sick that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
So my dream, if I'm dreaming big, is to become successful enough one day that I too can make a difference in my community. I'd definitely want to give back to Camp Hope, for all the joy they brought to me and my family. Maybe someday I'll have a signed t-shirt of my own. 😊
v42: - - - HM
My first exposure to "real" literature was James Clavell's Tai Pan. It was the first novel I remember reading and being totally absorbed and lost in the story. I still remember the feeling of adventure I experienced as a kid nearly forty years after reading it.
As a teenager, I got heavy into horror and Stephen King novels. I used to read IT at night right before turning off the lights for bedtime. I haven't read all his novels, but I've read most of them, including the Dark Tower series. And of course On Writing. He'll always be a favorite.
Later as an adult, I discovered Lauren Oliver's Delirium series. Just an incredible concept for a story, and the writing was totally immersive.
I'm currently reading more from John Scalzi and Chuck Wendig. I also enjoy Cory Doctorow and Hugh Howey's Silo series, as well as Ernie Cline's Ready Player One.
So many great books and authors out today.
"There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
— W. Somerset Maugham
Drop me a line at https://morganbroadhead.com
SFx1
HMx6
R/RWCx6
Interesting question. I've never really thought about it, maybe because most of the writers I'm familiar with are from, way, way before my time. I think if I had to pick, though, it would be Emily Brontë. The lady incredibly tough and independent. Living alone, with no interest in marriage despite the expectations for women of the time, and going out into the wilds with her rifle and pet hawk, Nero? Amazing. She certainly had a mind of her own and I greatly appreciate it. Not to mention her one book, Wuthering Heights, is one of my favorites. Everything I've read about her tells me she was remarkable person of indomitable will and spirit. I resonate strongly with that. Had she been born a little later, I'm sure she would have been able to explore the world more than she was able to.
After Emily Brontë, I would probably say Victor Hugo. I first read Les Misérables when I was 12 and it's always been dear to me. I respect a lot of the messages and social commentary Hugo portrayed in books.
Then of course there is Charlotte Brontë. While I don't look up to her in the same way I do her sister, Emily, I love her prose and often look to it for inspiration.
Camp Rainbow, which has been renamed Camp Hope
Probably for the best these days, unfortunately.
David Farland for my HM.
Sean Williams for entertaining the crowd at a sci con or two.
Michael Crichton for JP.
Actually all the authors of the books for the films/TV I most like. Too many to mention.
Ellison for not bending in the wind and for soldier and demon.
Any that helped give Boris and Julie jobs.
RL Stine.
Robin Masters.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
