Inspirational Lewis!!

I have just finished watching the first in a new series of Lewis. I have not watched this before and confess to never being a Morse fan, but it was ironing night and so I gave it a go! I was gripped; probably because it centred around a young author who had had his fantasy novel published. Of course being a detective series there are grisly murders and seedy secrets, however I was intrigued with how the plot was laced throughout with cross references and nods to two writers who share Detective Lewis's surname:

CS Lewis

and
Lewis Carroll

One of the characters lectured on Carroll and the young author, who was later murdered by his foster mother/lover(!!) was inspired to write by CS Lewis. It was inspired how the references to these two authors, their love of fantasy and potentially their secrets was woven in alongside solid detective Lewis.

It also got me thinking, I wonder who we writing bloggers are/were inspired by? What authors inspired you as a child? Which books grip you now as an adult? Does your choice of writing reflect your tastes in reading? Answers in the comments box below folks, I really would love to know!

For me there are so many, however as a child I read CS Lewis, Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl in particular. I loved Famous Five and devoured them daily, reading them till I knew them by heart. I also read a lot of books about ponies!! As a teenager I was absorbed by Terry Pratchett and Arthurian legends. I think quite all of these have inspired me with fantasy and history (although I studied medieval history at Uni so I didn't need much encouragment!) In adult life I have read quite a bit of YA and 'tween' fiction, but without doubt one of my main inspirations has been Michelle Paver. I am reading, "Shadow mancer," by GP Taylor at the moment and really enjoyed Eoin Colfer's' "Airman," recently too. So now you know a bit more about my tastes, I would love to hear about yours!!

The great thing about writing and blogging is...

I was away 'up north' in Leeds last week and have been playing catch up tonight with those lovely people I blog with. What do I discover ...that not one but TWO of them have secured publishing deals this week. Congratulations to both Jon and Tam for their successes. It made me realise a number of great things about being invloved with writing and blogging. Firstly you get to meet some wonderful people and find encouragement and support from people you may never meet in real life! When the sort of thing that has happened to Jon and Tam happens, you realise that it is not an impossible dream that one day you could be a published author, which is brilliant when you are going through the early stages of putting together a magnum opus with various degrees of difficulty.

Secondly you realise that being able to blog with like minded souls is encouraging, inspiring and uplifting. I would be overjoyed if my neighbour Kat got a deal, but I am equally delighted for Tam and Jon who I have only ever spoken to in cyberspace.

I managed to find a cafe in Leeds while my hubby did his plumbing exam. I was able to write undisturbed for two hours and completed the next chapter of my YA novel. I had great conversations with a delightful elderly lady and a charming man who was the living epitamy of aYorkshire stereotype; flat cap, tweed jacket and he bred racing pigeons!! It was bliss to write like that and it has encouraged me on with my writing again.

A circle of writers, however geographically far flung they may be, is a circle that is a blessing and an inspiration. We all have our ups and downs; our successes and failures so let us keep writing, keep blogging and encourage one another on.

Well done guys and I hope one day to be able to post a message

like you did this weekend!