10 Books That Inspired My Writing Style

Inspiration for writing comes in many formats; from books that you've read, films that you've watched, dreams you've had or simply just life experiences. It's undeniable that the books we read shape the way we think as writers, but the truth is, every writer has their own unique style, the way in which our minds work.

That being said, there are a number of books that made it feel possible to write and probably had some influence in the way that I tried to convey the various voices in my stories. Below is a list of ten books that inspired my writing in one way or another.

1. Twilight - This was the first book that really got me into reading as a young teenager. Before that, the only recommended books were classics, which I struggled to get through. After the first film was released, I decided to give the books a try and devoured them. I wouldn't say the books inspired my writing style, as it's been a number of years, but it did rekindle my love of written stories, which eventually turned into me deciding to write my own novel.

2. The Hunger Games - Another book series that I loved reading as a teenager. However, this book opened up a new world for me, which was dystopian fiction. Learning about the world and how information was conveyed in an interesting way definitely helped my writing style.

3. Fourth Wing - A more recent love of mine, but similarly to The Hunger Games, Fourth Wing was the first real fantasy book that I read. Admittedly, the genre is more romantasy, but I realised my love for this kind of genre. This book helped my writing style mostly because of the pace. You're immediately thrown into the action without too much information.

4. The Secret History - A modern classic, but one I didn't read until more recently. The writing style of Donna Tartt has a mysterious darkness about it. There are two parts to the story, but the complexity of the characters and their dynamic stays with you long after reading.

5. Northanger Abbey - I can't say that Jane Austen's writing style has impacted my own, but Northanger Abbey has stayed with me for years. There was a lot of humour in the book and some mystery too. It was a classic novel that I thoroughly enjoyed, and inspired me to write something with humour.

6. The Fault In Our Stars - Another book that I read as a teenager through a tough time. John Green's work always managed to reflect heavy emotions in an easy-to-digest manner. The Fault In Our Stars inspired my work to have a slightly deeper meaning. As a writer, I want to provide enjoyable stories, but I also believe there should be a positive takeaway at the end.

7. Eeny Meeny - This was my first experience of a thriller story, and it completely captivated me. The chapter style was something that intrigued me as they were very short, but also kept you wanting to read more. Once again, it opened up a new genre for me, but also a more engaging format.

8. It Ends With Us - Understandably, there has been a lot of controversy around this story (both the book and the film), but it would be unjust not to mention it. This book got me out of a reading slump. I bought it on a whim and had no idea what the story was, but I was surprised at the direction it took. It inspired me again in the way in which a story can be told (including misdirection).

9. Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway - As I've written self-help books, it makes sense that other self-help books would have inspired my writing. Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway was one of the first self-help books I read relating to anxiety. The main way in which it inspired me was the way that certain tips were broken down. In all of my anxiety guides, I try to keep the information as concise and practical as possible.

10. The American Roommate Experiment - Back to fiction now. This book was one of the earlier rom-com styles that I'd read, and I loved it. It hit a few tropes, but it was very light-hearted, which is a similar style I opted for in The Meet Cute Curse.

In order to be a good writer, you have to read a lot. Every type of media we consume impacts the way in which we communicate with the world. The more books you read, the more experience you have with different styles of writing, making it easier to find your own voice. All the different genres of books I've read have enabled me to write books in different styles and genres. Facing Charlie is a new adult contemporary fiction novel. Who Are We To Be is a YA dystopian fiction novel. Dear Jane is a mystery thriller epistolary novella. Henry's Home is an illustrated children's book. My latest release, The Meet Cute Curse, is a romantic comedy. Every book has a different style of writing and a big part of that is in thanks to the books that inspired me.

Not only do books inspire the way you write, but they also help you on your journey to formatting the book correctly. It helps not only with deciding what style of narration you'll use, but also how characters will communicate with each other and how that will be presented in your book.

If you go down the route of self-publishing, it helps to have other books to reference to ensure that yours is of the same standard. For example, speech marks and what follows after some dialogue. Effectively, it's learning the theory first of what makes good writing and then putting it into practice.

If you're interested in any of the books I've written, then you can find them on Amazon or directly from the Zortex shop.