Who’s Your Idol?
Many writers have authors who were heavy influences upon their work. Their “idol,” if you will.
For me, I’d say I have several influences, but hands down the greatest is LaVryle Spencer. I have every book she ever wrote and I’ve read most of them 5-6 times. What makes her such a compelling author to me is the characters she created. I felt like I got to know each of them intimately, and when I reread old favorites, I think about which “couple” I want to experience again.
Jude Deveraux is another influence on my work. I discovered her in the late 1980s, through a medieval she wrote The Maiden. I went on to devour her work and I loved the fast-paced, fun reading.
Johanna Lindsey I’ll always remember as an author who wrote sexy historicals, with bad boy heroes who made me swoon. 
And more recently, I like Julia Quinn and Susan Elizabeth Phillips for the humor they use. Both have influenced me in the tone of my work.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 11:26 am | Viewed 1377 times
Tori Says:
Oh, gosh. There are so many favorites! Carole Nelson Douglas, Agatha Christie, Carola Dunn, Anne Perry, Diana Wynne Jones, Terry Pratchett, Dorothy L. Sayers, Elizabeth Peters, Nora as J.D. Robb, J.K. Rowling, Jasper Fforde, Laurie R. King, Lois McMaster Bujold, P.N. Elrod, Patricia Wrede. And that’s just a pared down list.
Crystal* Says:
Stephen King, Nora Roberts w/a herself and J.D. Robb, Clive Barker, Jude Devereaux, Erma Bombeck, Johanna Lindsey, James Patterson, Kaye Hooper, Maggie Shayne, Robert Fulgum, J.K. Rowling, Frank Baum, and several others.
My ultimate romance idol is Nora Roberts. She can make me laugh, cry, and curse all in the same book. That’s talent. And that’s my goal.
Grins*
Olga Says:
I don’t have an idol. The authors whose books I adore, admire, and would inspire in future (distant, I’m afraid) to write like are Lisa Gardner and Jill Shalvis.
Suzanne Says:
Suzanne Brockmann and Nora Roberts.
MaryF Says:
La Nora, Karen Templeton, Catherine Mann and Virginia Kantra.
Kelly Says:
Wow…there are so many. Lisa Gregory’s, Bitterleaf is what got me started in the historical romance genre so definitely her. And Heather Graham’s, One Wore Blue series definitely solidified my love of the genre. But along the way there was Roseanne Bittner, Jude Devereaux and now Elizabeth Chadwick, Julianne MacLean, Mary Balogh, and of course Jo Beverely. There are so many, it’s hard to even know where to start.
Michelle Says:
Tori–JK Rowling is a great choice.
Crystal–I hadn’t even thought of Erma Bombeck. She was wonderful, wasn’t she?
Thanks for your recommendations, ladies. Now I have some new authors to go try!
Rene Says:
Kelly took the words right out of my mouth. Lisa Gregory’s (Candace Camp) Bitterleaf was the book that made me decide to become a writer. I would also add the early works of Woodiwiss, Lindsay, Garwood, Deveraux and Amanda Quick. I loved Jennifer Wilde. Currently, I’d say Angela Knight, Laurell K. Hamilton (at least the early books), Charlaine Harris, J.D. Robb and Kim Harrison.
Michele Says:
Just one????? Oh, I can’t , just can’t I have a list…bare with me…my list..where is it? Ah!
The first one I ever read was The Selkie so this author goes at the top of the list because,
for me, she started it all.
Melanie Jackson
Kathleen Nance - love DJinnis
Claire Cross
Angela Knight -whoopee!
Christine Feehan - biggie in my book *grin
Jayne Ann Krentz- when she writes as Jayne Castle -I enjoy the alien ghosts
Glenna McReynolds -haven’t heard from her in awhile. I’m waiting
Dara Joy - Love those familiars!!!! Traed HAS to have his chance someday
Sherrilyn Kenyon - I run out of words to describe the fun, Love ASH! & Simi Too
C.J. Barry Love the “UN” books!!!! Laurell K. Hamilton Both the Anita and Merry series are addicting
Sandra Hill - What a riot - LOVE the time traveling Vikings
Maggie Shayne - a little dark with the vamps but her anthologies are terriff!!
Kristine Grayson - what fun reading!!!! Too bad I can only find 5, are there more???
Donna Boyd - Werewolves - if you are a human, its depressing, no one ever lives!!
Katie MacAlister - Love her blog/journal/ DGMS and her books are awesome!!! *sigh*
Rebecca york aka Ruth glick
MaryJanice Davidson -Oh my Gosh, what a hoot reading these, what a great imagination
Charlaine Harris - Another great imagination with suspense, humor and romance -wowee
Julie Kenner- Great talent! the world of “Aphrodite” was great- more books please!
Kimberly Randell- only read one called In the Midnight Hour - great Ghost story
Karen Marie Moning Oh if you like highlanders and magic -Read these 6 books!!!!
Nina Bangs - Love her world, Ganymede and Sparkle! Great Blog, nice person-great humor
Lisa Cach -she has a few I would highly recommend,
Gena Showalter - I’ve only read 2, but I know that is not enough, what a great talent
Helen A. Rosburg - Ellie and the Elvin King -Now this has to be the most different book ever created! It was illustrated
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
:crazyjumping: Favorite authors hmm…I loved Julie Garwood’s historicals and Jude Devereaux’s historicals. I LOVE JK Rowling, PC Cast, Gena Showalter. There are too many for me to name in one post but these are some of them
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Oh Geez how could I forget Karen Marie Moning??? I LOVE her books
Danica Says:
Michele, Glenna McReynolds is writing under another name now, crap I forget what it is, but I’m thinking she either just had a book out or one is coming really soon.
I don’t know about writing influences, because I’m not sure I want to write like anyone else. Authors I devour are Victoria Holt, Betty Neels, Barbara Cartland… dang, they’re all dead. I’m in trouble.
Gina Black Says:
The writer who made me want to be a writer was Mark Twain. The writer who made me want to write romance was no doubt one who’s book I tossed down while thinking I could do better than that.
Michele Says:
She’s writing under a different name? Kinda like Rebecca York/Ruth Glick type name???Please,do you think you could solve the mystery…I would just be thrilled to have a new book by her. The last one was a really different one about this guy who lives in the jungle and was a part of the jungle…something to do with the anaconda snakes..or was that the heroine….anyway…how did you find out about her name change? I wonder how I can find out..hmmmm…Time to dust off my Indiana Jane hat.
Oh, you are funny. Most of the inspiring authors you listed my Mom reads..:shock: but I didn’t know about Betty Neals….
Anne MacAffery was one I should have listed. I read her when I could claim being a teenager as well as Frank Herbert from the Dune series - I’ve not read any that were done posthumously, did I spell that right? Anyway, none after he was dead… I know his son was writing the series but am not too sure if I could stand being disappointed with his efforts. Know anyone who likes Frank’s son’s writing????
Melissa Marsh Says:
Those authors who have inspired me…hmm…well, the number one author who made me start this writing gig was Rosalind Laker. I devoured her lush historicals from every time period. Her book “Tree of Gold” remains my all-time favorite novel.
Other idols include Judith McNaught (both contemporary and historical), Jude Deveraux, Jo Beverley, Patricia Veryan, and Amanda Quick.
Steph T. Says:
This is great - finding lots of new authors this way.
My idols: Suz Brockmann, Cherry Adair & Tammy Hoag (her early romances, especially Lucky’s Lady was my biggest influence to write romance)