What books inspire you to write?

[Blue_Roses]

I just got through reading, "The Measure of a Man," by Sidney Poitier, and I have to say, there's something magical that bounces off the pages of his book. It's just a simple memoir of his life, thoughts, struggles and resolve, but damn, it spoke to me. The "shallowness" that takes on as everyday life makes the oh-so-hum-drum actions we go through seem pointless.

Truth found in the simplicity of one's honest words--something I guess the "Forces of Nature" have been trying to tell me for so long. Amazing how it came through this way. Wonders never cease.

[InvisibleTouch]

1. Anything truly and abysmally awful, because...

...it makes me realize, "Damn, I can do better than that in my sleep!" I'm a lot more encouraged by bad or even mediocre books that managed to get published, than I'm inspired by excellent work (though that does happen also, and gives me something to strive toward).

[sybylla]

3. I do find those kinds of books inspiring - but I also have authors I admire

and who make me want to be a better writer. Like Margaret Atwood, J.K. Rowling, Charles Frazier (Cold Mountain), Simon Winchester (Professor and the Madman), Thomas Pinchon (Mason Dixon, Crying of Lot 49).

While the poorly done books feed my aspirations, the well done teach me more about storytelling than any class could.

[My Good Babushka]

2. Anything by Umberto Eco

except the last one, Gabriel Garcia Marques, Julio Cortozar, but then I realize I just wish I had written THAT book, and then I get mad. and frustrated.