Authors who shaped us

[filkferengi]

Author Sherwood Smith loves lots of the same authors we like, here: http://bookviewcafe.com/blog/2015/01/03/interesting-women-the-three-name-greats/

I've read and enjoyed several of her books over the years, so it's fitting she was formed by many of the same authors that shaped me.

To her list, I'd add Louisa May Alcott, Andre Norton, Ursula K. LeGuin, Robin McKinley, and Patricia McKillip.

What about y'all? Who all are/were your formative authors?

Comments

[ibmiller.livejournal.com]

An excellent list. I didn't find McGraw or Speare formative per se (certainly not on the same level as others), but I did really enjoy Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Bronze Bow, and love Mara, Daughter of the Nile.

I'd say the authors I think have had the most impact on my life stylistically would be Jane Austen, Tolkien, and C. S. Lewis. Philosophically, these three also have G. K. Chesterton added to their number.

[jenn hilgeman (from livejournal.com)]

I read a lot of fluff (for lack of a better word) during my formative years - a whole lot of those poorly written, yet addictive horse series - so I don't feel like any of those authors shaped me as a reader.

I discovered Anne McCaffrey when I was in junior high, and while I'm not a huge fan of her work now, I have to credit her with inspiring my love of the science fiction/fantasy genre.

I probably didn't become a fan of authors who have stood the test of time for me until I took a reader's workshop course in college. My awesome professor introduced me to S.E. Hinton and Robin McKinley, two authors who are favorites of mine today.

Authors that I discovered during my time in library school are probably the ones who turned me into a voracious reader and showed me that there is such a thing as a book that is both well-written and fun. Thank goodness to social media for introducing me to writers like Megan Whalen Turner, Melina Marchetta, and Maggie Stiefvater. I only wish I could have discovered the first two when I was in the target age range.

[tiegirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, how I loved Andre Norton! Especially the ones dealing with psychic animals. Also, I waited every year for Dick Francis's new book. It always came out right near my birthday, so I have a collection of his books in hardback, many of them inscribed cleverly by my father, mother, or brothers. I can't say my favorite authors today formed me, per se, because I'm, you know, old, but mwt has certainly changed my life!

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I answered this over on sartorias's LJ when she posted the original link to her essay, so I'll quote myself here:

"My earliest influences seem almost embarrassingly predictable: Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Tolkien. But also E. Nesbit and Edward Eager and The Phantom Tollbooth, and Tove Jansson's Moominland Midwinter (I didn't read the other Moomin books until I was an adult), and L'Engle's original Time Trilogy, and LeGuin's Earthsea books (particularly Tombs of Atuan), and Lloyd Alexander's Prydain. I also ate up Susan Cooper, Patricia McKillip and Robin McKinley, but I was a teen by then."

I should add to all that, however, that since then I've discovered several other authors that have inspired and stretched me as a reader in entirely new ways: Dorothy Dunnett, Lois McMaster Bujold, and, not unsurprisingly, MWT herself. (Also Elizabeth Wein, thanks to MWT's recommending her books here.)

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

My one true obsession as a young reader was Narnia, and I'm sure I can't even fathom the extent to which Lewis shaped my reading and thinking.

But there were only so many books in that series, and eventually I had to branch out. Robin McKinley was a Big Deal for a while among my young friend group, and Patricia Wrede's dragon books (I discovered the Sorcery and Cecelia series much later, but it's also a favorite.) It's a shame I didn't really discover Diana Wynne Jones until I was older, or I'm sure that would have kept me busy for a long time!

As for authors who 'shaped' me: Tolkien, obviously. That obsession began when I was about 12-13 (and in the nick of time - just before the movies became a thing) and I'm still not over it. 0;) I credit Lloyd Alexander and Stephen Lawhead (and Rosemary Sutcliff too) for spurring on my young interest in all things welsh and celtic and mythological, which in more recent years has drawn me to books by Maggie Stiefvater and others who were no doubt brought up on the same sorts of tales. That's always fun.

But it goes without saying that MWT has been the greatest author influence in my life to date. I've forgotten when exactly I read The Thief for the first time - somewhere around the age of 15 I want to say, and the series has grown with me ever since. Not to mention the fandom. I've introduced the books to every reader and non-reader I know and I can't tell you how smug I feel when I spot the books in the background of a friend of a friend of a friend's photograph! :D (Yes, this has happened.)

[jenn hilgeman (from livejournal.com)]

How could I forget about Stephen Lawhead? I adored his books when I was in high school and I rediscovered him when I was in college and fell in love all over again. His Song of Albion trilogy is probably my favorite, with the Pendragon Cycle a close second.

I remember reading The Hobbit for school when I was in seventh grade, but I didn't discover The Lord of the Rings until I saw previews for the first movie and knew it would be right up my alley.

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

Agreed that Song of Albion is his best series. Love it! I remember his Arthurian trilogy having a big impact but honestly, I read it so long ago I don't recall much else about it. I should read it again sometime. I was disappointed with his take on Robin Hood and didn't make it past the first book of his Bright Empires series. :(

o.t.

[tiegirl.livejournal.com]

Gaudete! Steeleye Span! I haven't listened to them since college! I'm pretty sure I wore those records out. And, yes, you heard that right. Records. LP's. Vinyl. Uh, huh, yeah, baby.

Re: o.t.

[filkferengi]

There's this new thing the kids have, called a cd. It looks just like a small lp, very adorable. Best of all, one's favorite albums are available super-cheap, especially on half.com or ebay.

;)