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August 20, 2014

“Authors I Can’t Write Without”: Guest Post by Author Teri Harman

I am a story addict. I am addicted to reading. It is my love of reading that helped shape my love of writing. It’s symbiotic in some ways: I suck all the greatness from my favorite writers, nourishing my ability to put words on the page.

These are some of the authors that inspire me, that make me want to try harder in my writing. That make me better.

1. Roald Dahl
Such imagination! Roald Dahl taught me to twist and turn the normal into the bizarre. To stretch my creativity to mold ideas into stories that feel fresh and yet familiar in all the right ways. Favorite titles: ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ ‘Matilda,’ and ‘Tales of the Unexpected.’

2. Kate Morton
Beautiful, intoxicating words. Kate Morton’s writing is so amazing – her descriptions, her solid plots, her gothic sense of place. I devour her books and always want to run to the computer when I’m done. Favorite titles: ‘The Forgotten Garden,’ and ‘The Secret Keeper.’

3. Sarah Addison Allen
Sarah does steamy romance and magic realism so well. Her books are magical and her characters authentic. I love her stories and want mine to be as absorbing. Favorite titles: ‘The Sugar Queen,’ and ‘Garden Spells.’

4. Sue Monk Kidd
The queen of emotional narratives that you never forget. I want to write as honest and deep as Sue does. She captures characters and how they feel in every situation so perfectly. That is not easy. Favorite titles: ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ and ‘The Invention of Wings.’

Which authors inspire you?

For more about Teri Harman and her books, including BLACK MOON, the sequel to BLOOD MOON, which Kirkus Reviews calls ‘unusual and absorbing,’ check out the links below…

Blog: http://www.teriharman.com/
Instagram: @teriharman
Goodreads: goodreads.com/TeriHarman
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTeriHarman

Twitter: @TeriHarman, https://twitter.com/TeriHarman

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sending in this guest post, Teri! You are a terrific writer, and you obviously have really good taste in books, because we like some of the same authors. ;)

Teri Harman said...

My pleasure! Thank you for having me on this fabulous blog. Great readers read alike!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Authors who have inspired my love for reading, and therefore writing, are endless. And if I listed my favorite contemporary authors I might get myself into trouble because some (more like, 100+) are actually my friends and I don't want to forget anyone! But I'm also totally crazy about historical novels because of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Dodie Smith. I wish THEY were my friends as well. I love good writing because it gives me a glimpse of what I can become. And then there are those times when I look at my writing, in comparison, and it's difficult to believe I will EVER live up to that expectation. That part of it can be a little frustrating :)

MKHutchins said...

Oooh -- I think the only person on this list I've read is Roald Dahl. Thanks for the recommendations!

Angela - Bookaunt said...

There are many great authors out there that can inspire you. One of the authors that inspire me is Lisa Wingate. I not only like her writing style but her books have really touched me. I also find Sheila Roberts inspiring. Her books make me feel good and smile as I read them. Thank you for sharing the authors that inspire you. - I want to win a book

Valette M. said...

I'm not familiar with the others, but Roald Dahl is definitely an inspiration! He does crazy without making it disturbing.
I want to win a book!

Rosebriars said...

After a creative identity crisis while my husband earned his Bachelor's degree I realized my strength is in non-fiction writing, and that my taste in reading had slowly morphed towards non-fiction too. I have been particularly influenced by Gretchen Rubin and Tim Ferriss - I dig their mix of research/experimentation/memoir/how-to - which is how I would describe my journals, where most of my writing happens.

I want to win a book!