Almost anything, really. But I lean to histories, sports and politics.
Anything by Terry Pratchett. Anything by Joss Whedon. Good feedback on our Youtube show and my other more serious work. Messages offering repeat business ;)
Emails inviting me to take interviews like this! :))
There is nothing more encouraging for a writer than knowing that people enjoy his/her work. It doesn't mean we'd stop writing if people aren't enjoying it, but it sure feels nice when you know they are.
Something that triggers my own memories from the present and past; contemporary issues and nature. Then I move into my own creative world where I become a homeless man carrying his packsack; a cat peeking from under a veranda; a boy wishing to run away from home; the sounds of an island during a camp out. I try to look at an issue from a distance and feel the affect surroundings have on the main character.
Any type of reading. I enjoy randomly picking things up to read. Recently, I am starting to read of lot of Japanese literature, from novel, short stories, light novels to even manga.
The general news offers the most fodder for me, but I also like to read biographies and history.
A good book, a well told story.
I rather like people who can make powerful statements. To me, in fiction, a powerful statement always carries emotional content. I look for crisp short 'sound bite sized' statements displaying intellectual and emotional depth. Such statements are impossible to copy and amazingly rewarding when you try to reach or surpass their depth.
Non fiction. Current affairs magazines. Architecture books. Trend books.
Any sort of reading that has a very strong sense of humanity in it. biographies inspire. trend books set me thinking about possibilities. Books with a certain philosophical angle (not the heavy theoretical stuff).
Usually anything written in a historical setting, from historical romances to Masada
Oh I love to read so there are many things that inspire me to write. I am actually quite inspired by books, movies and music in many varying degrees but I find that writing is either a do or don't thing. It is sometimes very spontaneous and works well when it is and other times, it's something that I struggle to do when I am feeling less inspired. When I am in that state, it's hard to find inspiration from other sources but watching a good movie or reading a good book or even listening to certain songs and lyrics will motivate me.
Currently, I am finding inspiration from Stephanie Meyer's brilliant book 'Twilight'.
Suspense/thrillers inspire me.
Very, very bad reading for a start. I have read some of the absolute rubbish that gets printed and said, 'I can do better than that!' Unfortunately some name writers fall into this league. The brand sells, so no matter that the tin is only half full of beans and they are off. The publishers want their bucks all the while bilking the readers. Shame!
On the other hand I love the writing of true professional craftspeople. Connelly, Rankin, King, Koontz, Patterson, Deaver and Burke are names that spring to mind. I grew up on MacLean, Wilbur Smith and John MacDonald. I like Stephen Leather who incidentally also publishes through Monsoon and was kind enough to write some good words for the cover blurb on Death in the Kingdom. One of my all time favourites is J.P. Donleavy. I love his writing. A Fairy Tale of New York is a must read for everyone.
Any good, well told story. I read 'The Last Dragonlord' a few months ago and loved it because the characters were so real. They did not come across as 'invented' and I think that was the key. Good writing inspires me!
Any sort of reading inspires me to write. Whether it's a script, a performance, a television show, a newspaper or a book, there is always something one finds in words to motivate oneself. |
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