If you’ve been here a while you probably already know the answer to today’s question. Susan wants to know…

Is there an author who inspired you?

Yes! Many authors really. 

My number one inspiration is Jill Shalvis. Her book, Simply Irresistible, was the first romance novel I read. Before her, I thought they were all horrible stories about men taking advantage of women who wouldn’t fight back. I am so happy I found Jill! Her books changed my world, literally. It opened my eyes to a whole new genre of books that has given me a career, new friends, and so much inspiration, it’s crazy!

There are a lot of authors who’ve inspired me though. Some, who I won’t name, inspired me to be a better writer because I knew I could write a better story than they did. Most though, they wrote in ways that made me want to be like them.

Bella Andre is another one I’m constantly inspired by. Her stories are so magnetic that I can’t help but be drawn in by them. Not to mention she’s a self-publishing genius!

Melissa Foster paints such amazing pictures and creates families you want to be a part of. I love reading her books.

And then there’s my friends. Writers I know. Some published, some not, who work so hard to craft stories that draw me in without fail. I love reading stories by people I know in real life. People who I can picture sitting down and writing. People I love talking to and feel like reading their books is like having a conversation with them. They inspire me every day to keep going, to push through the hard times, and to share my voice with readers. I have them to thank for a lot of things!

I think it’s important to find someone who will inspire you. Or many someones. I get inspiration from everywhere – my kids, my family, situations I’m in, everything. I take it and run with it. Hopefully it’s entertaining!

Thanks so much, Susan, for your question! If you have a question, send me an email (mary (at) maryethompson (dot) com) with Q&A in the subject, or post it in the comments below, and I’ll answer your question right here on the blog!

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