I have always been inspired by the works of Brian Jacques. His ability to help you truly feel, smell, and taste the story through descriptive imagery always thrilled me as I read his works. I was further inspired when I found out that he was just an average joe like me, no serious schooling of any kind. I found further respect as I learned that his reasons for such imagery were to help the children he read to, who were blind, experience the story themselves. When I find myself struggling with how to describe a location or feeling I always tend to open a Redwall book and remind myself of how you can describe something.

 

I recently found myself working a monotonous job that required very little brain power on my part. During that time it was suggested that I listen to podcasts or books. It was around this time that I found H.P. Lovecraft. I explored all of his unabridged works, realizing that it was written for a much different time. I found a thrill in the subtle way he would lace his stories with the creepy and dark. I realized at that time that I not only found satisfaction in adding darker elements to my story, but that they fit my voice and the universe well. Lovecraft inspired me to be comfortable with a voice that I never even knew I had, and for that his works hold a special place for me.