Ask the Author–What Books/Authors have inspired you?

I feel like I’ve been really bad at this lately, but I’m trying to get better. This is a new month, and hopefully, I won’t miss a week this month. So, if I stay on schedule, this is the “Ask the Author” post. I picked a question that I was once asked in an author interview or at least a variation of it. So, here goes.

What books and/or authors have inspired you most?

There are a couple different answers to that. First, there is a group of authors who inspired me to start writing. As I have said in a couple of places before, J.K. Rowling was one of the authors who helped fan the flames of my writing passion. This was before I had even read a word of her books. I had heard of her and knew she was popular, so when the librarian said I would be the next J.K. Rowling, I took it as a huge compliment and wanted to write like she did. Some of the others include Louisa May Alcott (I have felt a fair connection with Jo and her writing for quite some time now). The third, and perhaps the biggest would be my mother. Her example was really what started my writing habit.
The other group would be the writers/books that have influenced what and how I write. Of course, I have tried to make all my writing my own without simply copying anybody, but what I read does influence where my imagination goes. I loved fantasy, so some of the big titles that I read and got inspiration from would be The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Shannara, and Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites.
Of course, there are many, many more authors and books I have enjoyed and been inspired by, but those above have been some of my largest influencers. They are all books or authors I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend while you are waiting for the next book in the series to come out. I’ve been working on it, so don’t give up!

What books or authors have inspired you? Can you notice their influence in some of the things you do or the way you view the world?