I always find it interesting to find out what writers have influenced other authors, so I thought I\u2019d post my own list for those who are curious about such things.<\/p>\n
1)\tJ.R.R. Tolkien \u2013 Because I read The Lord of the Rings<\/em> at the age of 12 and decided that I wanted to be a writer then and there. I always find it interesting to find out what writers have influenced other authors, so I thought I\u2019d post my own list for those who are curious about such things. 1) J.R.R. Tolkien \u2013 Because I read The Lord of … Continue reading
\n2)\tRaymond Chandler \u2013 The king of the crime novel, yes, but also the king of snappy dialogue. Words are more dangerous than bullets in his books. I learned everything I know about the rhythm of dialogue from Philip Marlowe.
\n3)\tRichard Russo \u2013 Nobody\u2019s Fool<\/em> ranks as my absolute, #1 all-time favorite novel. I\u2019ve never read a more perfect and complete character study in one book, and I\u2019ve also never laughed so hard while my heart was breaking.
\n4)\tJim Butcher \u2013 He is one of the gutsiest writers going right now. Every time I think I\u2019ve settled comfortably in Harry Dresden\u2019s world Butcher does something completely insane. Grave Peril <\/em>was a major game-changer for the whole series, and it goes without saying that after the last book (Changes<\/em>) that Dresden\u2019s world will be a lot different. When I\u2019m writing and I reach a point where I\u2019m not sure if I should push Maddy\u2019s world any further I think about the stuff Butcher has done to Harry and realize I can do a lot more.
\n5)\tCharlaine Harris \u2013 I just love the way she can sum up the essence of a character in one sentence or less and her mastery of first-person voice is unparalleled.
\n6)\tJane Austen \u2013 I read Pride and Prejudice<\/em> at least twice a year whenever the itch comes on. Her dialogue, her sense of pacing, her development of character \u2013 there is a reason why this book is timeless.
\n7)\tJim Thompson \u2013 He was writing some of the rawest noir out there at a time when American culture was still pretty straight-laced. Even in our totally violence-numbed contemporary culture his work still has the power to shock. I love writers who can do this \u2013 the ones who make me want to cover my eyes so I don\u2019t see what happens next, but are so compelling that I have to peek through my fingers and see how it all turns out.
\n8 )\tStephen King \u2013 There is still no better writer out there at building atmosphere. He\u2019s also one of the most patient writers I\u2019ve ever read. He\u2019s willing to take the time to build a world and the characters that inhabit it. And just when you think he\u2019s not quite up to his past level he releases a book like Cell<\/em> or Under the Dome<\/em>, two of his best books ever in a catalog filled with greats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"