What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The greatest joy for me in writing is in creating something from a simple idea and watching it flourish and grow through the writing process. This is something I'm in love with. It doesn't require large sums of money or knowing certain people or being born any special place in particular.
It amazes me how simple words on a page can take on a life of their own and literally brings one out of their surrounding into another reality. Despite what and how you were feeling just moments before a good story and the power of a word can do that.
Who are your favorite authors?
As a teenage and in my early twenties Stephen King was my favorite author. I wanted to be like Stephen King and move people emotions like he did. As I've grown older and pondered on some of the books i've enjoyed that have influenced me the most in my writing my favorites begin to take on different universe entirely.
William Shakespeare was someone a love in school and still do today. If I walk around an speak like the characters do in a Shakespeare book then I would be content.
George Orwell influenced me to reach for themes and social issues in a broader context.
Ben Okri who won the Booker prize in 1991 whose work blew my mind with the sheer poetic nature.
There are a few others I'm sure and possibly many more when I get to reading the ones I haven't gotten yet.
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