On Writing : The Book That Made You Want To Write Books by Ashley Renee Smith

Ashley Renee Smith

The Book That Made You Want To Write Books

Hey, Authors!

When you look back, is there a particular book or series, that sparked your love of reading or inspired you to pick up a pen? The book that you didn’t just enjoy as a reader, but made you want to write the kind of book that made you feel the way that one did.

I’ve been a voracious reader my whole life. Ironically, it took me more time than most, to learn how to read. I was one of the last students in my 1st grade class to be able to read on my own. But once it clicked, I was obsessed. I think part of what took me some time, was that my dad would read to me every night before bed. That was our special time together when I was a kid and he didn’t just read to me, he would ask me my thoughts and opinions about stories and characters. He did the same when we would watch movies and he was the first person to make me think critically about those things. I think I enjoyed it so much that I was resistant to reading on my own.

I have no idea how many books he read to me between the ages of 2 and 6, but the one that stands out SO strongly for me, was Bridge to Terabithia. It made my young mind explode with imagination and it impacted me emotionally in a way that no story ever had before. That’s when I remember wanting to create a special world of magic and stories that could make people feel something special. What about you?

Maurice Vaughan

Great story, Ashley Renee Smith! I was writing before I saw Harriet the Spy as a kid, but that movie made me want to be a writer even more. Back then it was short stories. Now, it's scripts, commercials, etc.

Mary Helen Norris

I'd say The Boxcar Children are up there.

Maurice Vaughan

I read The Boxcar Children books growing up, Mary Helen Norris.

Mary Helen Norris

Maurice Vaughan I was obsessed with them. I had dozens upon dozens of them. The series turned 100 this year, and I think my mom is getting the special edition for me for Christmas.

Maurice Vaughan

Wow, Mary Helen Norris! 100 years! I don't remember much about the books. I might reread them and read the books that I haven't read yet. Hope you get the special edition for Christmas!

Sharon Disney

I liked "Orphan Train."

Ashraf Nahlous

Frankly, all of Dan Brown’s books! The first one I read was The Da Vinci Code, and I was hooked. After that, I went on a journey to read more of his work.

The books are amazing, but I have to admit, the films didn’t quite capture the magic of the storytelling for me.

Ashley Renee Smith

Maurice Vaughan, did you ever read the Harriet the Spy book as a kid? I also LOVED the movie growing up and I read the book in 5th grade. It’s different, but it’s also good in it’s own ways.

Ashley Renee Smith

I read the first few Boxcar Children books in elementary school, Mary! I definitely didn’t finish the whole series, but my second grade teacher read the first two to the class and I enjoyed them enough to read one or two more on my own. That was a great year because she also read us the BFG, which I loved!

Ashley Renee Smith

I’ve actually never read a Dan Brown book, Ashraf Nahlous. I mean, he’s one of those authors that is SO big, that I’ve always had an awareness of him and his work, but I’ve never stopped to actually read one. I should definitely add one to my list. Would The Da Vinci Code be your recommendation for a first time reader? Or is there another book that you enjoyed more?

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Gosh, I can't even remember lol... I've been told I was telling stories since I was 2 years old and I do remember making proto-comics (as in, whole pages of drawings but they told a story), and I do remember being glued to the TV in my youth lol, as well as, of course, being told stories by my Mum and Grandma. I'm pretty bad about reading now but I do remember when I was younger you'd have a hell of a time getting me to not spend my allowance on books and just spending all my time indoors reading XD

Maurice Vaughan

I haven't read the Harriet the Spy book, Ashley Renee Smith. I didn't know there was one until I was an adult. Haha It's on my read list.

Ashley Renee Smith

What was it about Orphan Train that you enjoyed, Sharon Disney?

Ashley Renee Smith

Do you remember any of those books that you loved, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh?

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

Ashley Renee Smith When I was a kid I remember enjoying How I Survived Being a Girl by Wendelin van Draanen and Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, as well as Anne of Green Gables, and this one illustrated book I had of Grimm's fairy tales. As a teenager I got into Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness quartet, and Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman was a fun one too, as were Feeling Sorry for Celia and The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty, and the Georgia Nicolson books by Louise Rennison.

Jonathan Jordan

Ooh, "Bridge to Terabithia" is a good one Ashley Renee Smith! I wish I knew which book it was for me that did the trick but I can barely remember a time before wanting to be an author. A little jealous of everyone here who can pick a specific title!

Stefano Pavone

"The Colour of Magic" by Terry Pratchett.

Erin Leigh

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi.

William Joseph Hill

Great question, Ashley Renee Smith ! I always enjoyed reading books. "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" was a childhood favorite - I saw the "Willy Wonka" movie on TV as a kid and then read the book in 4th grade. That taught me a lot about how movies and the source book differ. Then it was the movie novelizations that got me really interested in writing my own films & books. I'm excited that I actually get to do it now!

Ashley Renee Smith

Thats a great one, William Joseph Hill! I also watched the original movie before reading the book and I was surprised by how different they were when I was a kid. I enjoyed both, but the movie is one that I can watch literally any time.

Dawn Prato

I don't know if it was any one book, but the Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon series were the first books I remember reading that A) I loved and had girls who loved books and story as much as I did in them and B) girls who wanted to be writers. I don't think I knew that could be a possibility, until I read them, and I think something clicked. After that, it was a LOT of fantasy novels!

Michael Elliott

"Portrait of Dorian Gray". & "King Solomon's Mines".

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