A-Z blogging challenge: H

H is for honor and homage. As a writer everything around me inspires and influences me and my writing. When I read especially I think about how it compares to what I write. Should my dragons be more like that? Should my dialogue be snappier like this? Could I ever be this great?

It's that last question that inspires this post. I feel as though my books have little pieces in them that honor or pay homage to the writers who have inspired me to be more amazing than I thought I could ever be. These aren't just some of my favorite authors, because I have a LOT of those, but these are authors who have, I feel, made me a better writer. Their books have changed me, irrevocably.

To J.R.R. Tolkien - because anyone who writes and loves modern epic fantasy, whether they know it or not, has been inspired by his genius. For me personally, he has taught me that all the details matter, even if no one ever sees them. When you're slogging through that first chapter of the Fellowship, you're thinking why do I need to know the lineage and names of all these Hobbits? But later, during the scouring of the Shire, it makes you love and connect with those people all the more. In a nutshell, if it's in your head, write it down. Its not a waste of time or hard drive space. He is why I have spreadsheets full of hundreds of tiny details about my world, regardless of whether they ever see the light of day or not.

To George R.R. Martin - because he renewed my hope that humongous works of epic fantasy can be loved and super popular. His world is ginormic, full of tons of characters, and a million tiny little details. I love, love, love his books, and I so hope that my little novels can be that amazing some day and that people love them as much as I do. He is why my world has grown, without fear of being too big to be popular.

To Scott Lynch - because his dialog astounds me, his characters are full of turmoil, and most importantly, he taught me that by killing off much beloved characters you can actually make your books better. His book, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and it's sequel tore my heart out and had me crying until my eyes swelled up but it made me love them all the more. It gave me the courage I needed to be brutal in my books when it needs to happen. He made my books grow up, so very, very much.

To Patrick Rothfuss - because he made me think of magic in a whole new way. It was so unique and different and made want such an amazing system in my books. So I sat there and thought an entire system up over the course of three months. There is a particular homage to him in the book especially because he made me fall in love with his wonderful tavern, so Mr. Rothfuss, the Laden Maiden is for you.

To Sarah Addison Allen - because her books remind me to embrace the magic that happens everyday. The tiny little kinds of magic that when looked at, are more astounding than the biggest display of magic. The bond between best friends, a wonderful cup of coffee, or just that secret that you've known for years. Its amazing and lovely and so very incredible. She has made me embrace the little moments, and she has shown me the strength to be had in femininity in writing. I think it's brought a maturity to my writing, and to myself.

Ok, so there you have it. It's a little different than my other posts, but I think its definitely relevant. These are the authors I look to for help in my writing. I want my books to be as great as theirs, and maybe someday, they'll have my books on their "favorite authors" shelf.