writers who have inspired us

[E. H. Brown]

Hi all

I always enjoy getting a conversation started with fellow writers with this question. I believe who and what we've read effects us greatly as writers. Feel free to post both Christian and secular authors, as well as the particular novels you love.

Here's my list, though by no means comprehensive:

God (He did, after all, author the best book of all!)

J R. R. Tolkien (The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings)

C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia, Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity)

Jack Finney (From Time to Time, Time After Time)

John Grisham (pretty much all his stuff, especially The Testament)

Tim LaHaye

Charles Dickens

Mark Twain

Shakespeare


I'll probably sleep on this and add more later.

[cawheat]

Mine:

JRR Tolkien (my favorite!)
Paul
Clive Cussler
Dave Barry (see my weekly columns!)
Tom Clancy


Just a sampling!

[wgjones3]

Well, here goes, in no particular order:

#1. George Orwell. Animal Farm and 1984 are two of the best books I've ever read.

#2. Graham Greene. The End of the Affair and The Power and the Glory are two of my favorites. The latter employs some very rich, well woven imagery that emmerses the reader in Greene's world.

#3 Erik Fosnes Hansen. Psalm at Journey's End is a beautiful, haunting account of the Titanic's last moments, and Hansen employes some bold literary techniques that have helped forge my style.

#4 Shirley Jackson. The Haunting of Hill House freaked me out when I read it, it still stands as one of the best horror novels ever written. The psychology she employed was classic, effective, and much more effective than a dried description of voilent acts of gore.

#5 F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatzby is probably my favorite book of all time, and reading it for the first time is one of the turning points in my writing life. This is the great American novel.

#6 Larry Burkett. The Illuminati was the first "Christian" novel I ever read, and I never wanted to write anything but Christian fiction ever since. In the introduction, Burkett emphisized his desire to write clean, non-offensive fiction for Christians to read without fear, and that's exacly what I want my career to be, too.

#7 Frank Peretti. This Present Darkness is the standard upon which every work of Christian fiction will be judged. It's truly an awesome novel, and is a much better read than most of the secular novels in print today.

#8 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Though his articles for Nascar.com, and his book, Driver #8, the son of the late 7-time Winston Cup champion is a master wordsmith, even if he doesn't always choose the most appropriate words. His work is alwasy breezy, easy to read, and packed with meaning--and to think, writing is just a hobby for him.

#9 Larry B. Jenkins. Not for any of the Left Behind books, bur rather for Hometown Legend, a very touching novel that is much better than any of the last six or seven installments of his more famous book series.

#10 David Baccaldi. Saving Faith is the only book of his I've read, but the action-packed novel resonates in my mind more than any book I've ever read every time I try to write an action scene.

[cawheat]

Hey wgjones:

Have you ever read Greene's "The Quiet American"? I'm a Vietnam historian and it's dark, yet refreshing in that the setting is pretty unique. (Nam before American combat troops....)

[james_pence]

Great lists so far!

Mine includes:

J.R.R. Tolkien (been reading and re-reading LOTR since I was 15).

Dean Koontz (I learned how to write suspense by reading him)

Stephen King's "The Green Mile" -- It's rough but, it provides a rare window into the "human" side of prison life.

Other favorite writers: John J. Nance, Kyle Mills, Michael Palmer, Mary Higgins Clark (her earlier works), Clive Cussler.

On the non-fiction side:

Jonathan Edwards, John Piper, and Jerry Bridges are favorites.

Jim

[wgjones3]

Cawheat, I've never even heard of that novel. It sounds facinating, and I will definately look into it. I've found that it's hard to find Greene's work in the local used bookstores, and I rarely make use of our library system (I'm bad about returning books on time :(). I've got The Human Factor, which I'm told is one of the greatest spy novels of all time, but I bought it used and didn't realize that it was plaqued with mildew until after I had sneezed through the first paragaph.

[cawheat]

WG Jones:

I pulled this synopsis from Amazon for you. I thought the book would be out of print, but they just re-released it with new cover, etc.... I first read it in college for a Vietnam history class:

Book Description
While the French Army in Indo-China is grappling with the Vietminh, back in Saigon a young and high-minded American named Pyle begins to channel economic aid to a "Third Force."

Caught between French colonialists and the Vietminh, Fowler, the narrator and seasoned foreign correspondent, observes: "I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused." As young Pyle's policies blunder on into bloodshed, the older man finds it impossible to stand aside as an observer. But Fowler's motives for intervening are suspect, both to the police and to himself: for Pyle has robbed him of his Vietnamese mistress.

[wgjones3]

Thanks. Next time I'm at Barnes and Noble, I'll be sure to look it up. :)

[dannyrhowell]

Here's my list in no particular order:

1.) Charles Swindoll. (I don't think I'd be writing if I hadn't read his stuff early on in life.)

2.) Phillip Keller

3.) Frank Peretti

4.) Donald Barnhouse

5.) A.W. Tozer

6.) Ray Comfort

7.) Robert B. Parker (Spencer For Hire Series)

8.) Michael Bishop

9.) Bruce Barron (Health & Wealth Gospel, Heaven on Earth?)

10.) Writer's Digest Books. (too many to mention)

drhowell

[Baselice]

1) Phillip Keller - a shepherds look @ the 23rd Psalm (It's gona look like I've stole Danny's list . But only a third of it.)
2) Chuck Swindoll - improving your serve& two steps forward,three back
3) A.W.Tozer -Pursuit of God
4) Charles Stanley- All of His Books- and my favorite teacher
5) Roy Hession- CALVARY ROAD -
We would see Jesus
6) Oswald Chambers- My favorite devotional writer
7) J. Veron McGee- favorite commentator
8) Jeremiah Burrows- The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
9) William MacDonald- One day at a time Devotional
10) King David's 18th Psalm

God's Grace and peace
Mary Ann Baselice

[howarddygo]

hi. i just thought i'd add some authors who didn't write in the English language. But, there are some great translations out there.
-Fyodor Dostoevsky (especially "The Brother's Karamazov")
-Elie Wiesel (okay, he's a Jew, but the history we share makes his points valid...especially "The Trial of God")
-Albert Camus (yes, he was an atheist, but it's good practice when one tries to dialogue with his characters...especially "The Plague")

[Prose]

Writers who have touched my heart include:

Francine Rivers
T. Davis Bunn
C.S. Lewis
Pasty Clairmont
Janette Oke
Linda Chaikin
Frank Peretti
Barbara Johnson
Judith Couchman
William Shakespere

and numerous others!

[Unregistered]

Joyce Meyer
Max Lucado
Elizabeth George (the Christian writer)
Johnette Benkovic
Larry Burkett
Norman Vincent Peale
Matthew Kelly

these are just a few.

I hope someday that we'll all be on someone's favorite author

list.

Nancy S

[dctilak]

Here is my list.

Henri Nouwen: His unbelievable honesty, depth of insight and confessional style makes his writing irresistible to me. In the Name of Jesus, Out of Solitude and Compassion are some of my favorites.

Philip Yancey: With similar characteristics to Nouwen's writings Yancey seems to be carrying on the legacy of his friend. What's So Amazing About Grace is a book for Christian writers. And if you've come across a more insightful book about Jesus than The Jesus I Never Knew please do let me know.

Sylvia Plath: Another confessional, I didn't follow her all the way though (but I must say that after reading her writings I did get close to the oven).

Franz Kafka: I always got depressed after reading his writings (I've read only some of his short stories and don't have the right to make the comments I'm making about him). But it is the tribute to this genius. I'm reminded that at times life can be a terror to me and it is for many people as well.

Ernest Hemmingway: His writings were my first love. Moveable Feast (Hemmingway's memoir penned while in France if I'm right) would be a delicious treat for writers.

R K Narayan: Narayan may not have influenced me but he knew how to tell a story, and he told it in a simple manner.

Frank Peretti: Can we call him the savior of Christian fiction? Thanks wgjones, I went on to read This Present Darkness after your comment about it in this thread. It has helped influence my prayer life. I'm trying to get my hands (unsuccessfully so far) on the thriller Piercing the Darkness which I had read years before.

Harish Khare: I keep waiting for his articles. Words are like bullets in his hands.

John Stott: His writings have helped me see issues (often controversial ones) in the light of the Word.

Francis Schaeffer: His deep understanding of the condition of man has helped me in my trying to make sense of the world.

John: His gospel makes me feel closer to Jesus and his time on earth.

David and the other psalmists: From the ends of the earth to beneath His wings, God has used their diary entries and songs (what we have come to call the Psalms) to make me feel that He knows what I'm going through.

dc Talk's songs: I find their writings true, bold and honest. Some of their songs are poetry, especially in Supernatural and Jesus Freak.

I have a confession to make. I've also enjoyed reading stuff like Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, John Maxwell's 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and Gareth Weldon Icenogle's Biblical Foundations on Small Groups (this one makes an intellectually gratifying read).

God, an anonymous author, must have been the most influential one.

[DannyVK]

I am too practical for my own good. My favorite writers are:

1. Warren Wiersbe - Any of his "Be" series. Warren can say the most in the fewest amount of words of anyone I've ever read.

2. Jay Conrad Levison, Rick Frishman, & Micael Larsen - "Guerrilla Marketing For Writers" - This is a secular book but I have devoured it. If you have written your first book and need help with marketing, get this book. I have read it probably ten times.

3. Oswald Chambers - "My Upmost For His Highest"

[Love2write]

I love to read books by bygone authors. I hate to say it, but the writing of fifty years plus years ago of so many authors seemed more clean and exceptional. I find a lot of writers works today, especially in Christian fiction, read the same. It is important for a writer to find their own "voice".

I'm babbling here. An author that I discovered a few years ago is by now forgotten. He was a Jew living in Israel during the 1940's. I do not know much about him other than that he wrote religious fiction. His name is Solom Asch. Here are two books of his I read that I put right up there with Ben Hur (one of my favorites), religious fiction that truly inspired me. He had to have been Messianic.

The Apostle
Mary

[AriseNshine]

My absolute favorite is Moses...I love the first five books of the law in the bible...Moses writings has truly enriched my life, as well as the authors of the other 65 books of the bible. I guess Luke would be next....then Paul *smile*

The author that taught me how to praise the Lord through the good times and the bad times and how to write from my heart....Merlin Carothers "Prison To Praise" & Answers to Praise & Powere In Praise

Tony Evans ~ The Battle Is The Lord's & Free At Last

Joyce Myers ~ Help Me I'm Depressed, Help Me I'm Stressed, Help Me I'm Worried

Beth Moore ~ Praying God's Word & Breaking Free

Tommy Teeney ~ The God Catchers & The God Chasers

Wayne Mack ~ Strengthening Your Marriage

Micheal Youssef ~ If God Is In Control, Why Is My Life A Mess?

Bunny Wilson ~ Liberated by Submission

Donna Partow ~ Becoming A Vessel God Can Use

Charles Stanley ~ Overcoming The Enemy & his montly devotional

Oswald Chambers, Chuck Swindoll, & many more

[Ex-Pastor]

Here are a few books that changed my life in such a positive way.

1. 2000 Years of Disbelief by James Haught
"Famous People with the Courage to Doubt"

2. An Underground Education by Richard Zacks
"The unauthorized and outrageous supplement to everything you thought you knew."

3. The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine

4. Holy Horrors by James Haught
"An illustrated history of religious murder and madness"

5. Holy Hatred by James Haught
"Religious conflicts of the 90's

6. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology by Arthur Cotterell & Rachel Storm
"The myths and legends of the ancient worlds...a comprehensive A to Z of the classic stories of gods and goddesses, heroes and mythical beasts, wizards and warriors.

[NurseConnie]

Hi guys!!
ok.. my favorite writers


* Eugenia Price... LOVE all her books. She writes wonderful romances that you don't have to worry about "smut" being in them. And they ALL have GOD in the center of them.

* Lori Wick.... I THINK that's the way you spell it.. :) She also writes wonderful Christian novels...

* Paul ____ never DID know his name.. you know the guy.. wrote a lot of letters of instruction to let's see.. believe it was the church at Corinth.. :)

* John... wrote a few books including one that will cause you to have great "revelations" about things.. :)

* Jenkins and LaHaye .. Loved the left behind series.. read up to #10 i think...

I don't read very many secular books because i never know what filth will come up on the next page..


Connie

p.s. Becca.. if you're reading this.. GO TO YOUR IM THINGY AND LET ME KNOW YOU'RE OK!!!!! luv ya's.

[HisServant]

Ooh! This is such a good subject to have a discussion on!:)

I would have to say that Lori Wick, Nicholas Sparks, and Leigh Ann Roberts are my favorites. Whenever I am suffering from writer's block I can pick up a book by any of the above, especially Lori Wick and I am so truly inspired that I am able to sit right down at the computer and begin typing away on my next manuscript. However, I have to say that it's not only authors that inspire me. I find certain musicians to be very inspiring- such as Ray Boltz.

I hope y'all are having quite a blessed day. I know that every day the Lord gives me is indeed a wonderfully blessed day! :D

God Bless!

Vicki Williamson

[Dr. Daniel]

This is a fascinating list. I was about to make a reply of my own when I became intrigued with ex-Pastor's list of books. Sir, I do hope you read this, because I am very curious (or I could just be stupidly blunt, if so please forgive me.) but is 'ex-pastor' strictly a nickname, or are you really a former pastor? And please do not respond if this next question offends you, but were there faith reasons for leaving the ministry? There are many other things that could cause such a decision, family, etc. But like I said, I saw the post and just began wondering what causes one to leave the ministry.

Also, I could not help but notice; I had read most of the books on your list before becoming a Christian and for me all they did was magnify the gaping hole in my soul. And yet you found them to cause you a positive change? Well, you never can tell, I guess. Odd how that works, eh?

[starrycc]

I'm glad I found this site. Seems very interesting. I think my list of influential authors is rather large, but includes a number already mentioned... and here are a few I can think of...

God, of course, the author of LIFE!!!

Fiction...
C.S. Lewis
JRR Tolkien
Gene Roddenberry - yes I consider Star Trek - despite it being on TV and I've only come across one episode in book form!
John Bunyan

Christian non-fiction...
The Bible authors especially John, David, Luke, Paul, Solomon...
John Chapman
Michael Green
Philip Yancey
John Stott
CS Lewis
And many more whose names I 'd have to look up...

It's funny how few female authors there are... and I can't remember one of them off hand!

[HisServant]

starrycc:

There are actually lots of female authors, but you probably just have a preference for the male authors. Most of my favorite authors are female such as: Lori Wick, Janette Oke, Judith Pella, Leigh Ann Roberts, Cynthia Ulrich Tobias, Beverly Lewis, Eugenia Price, Dee Henderson, Francine Rivers, Kristen Heitzmann, Liz Curtis Higgs, Barbara Johnson, Beth Moore and let's not forget Vicki Williamson! Obviously that is only a very small fraction of female authors, but rest assured, the Lord above not only gives the gift of writing to men but also to women. You should check out some of what these ladies have had published.

Have a blessed day! :)

HisServant

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I have more but I can't think of them at the moment.

1. God - Best Author ever. - 'Creation'

2. Frank Peretti - This Present Darkness/Piercing the Darkness/The Oath/The Veritas Project books

3. J.R.R Tolkien - Lord of the Rings/The Silmarillion/The Hobbit

4. C.S. Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia

5. Tad Williams - The Otherland Series (secular)

6. Brian Shafer - Chronicles of the Host Series

7. Herge - The Adventures of Tintin (graphic novels)

(not in any particular order about from no.1 being God and no.2 being Frank Peretti).