I don't know if any single book made me want to write. C.S. Lewis was the first writer to make me aware that somebody was writing the book I was reading - these wonderful parenthetical asides to the reader.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I don't think there was a particular book that made me want to write. They all did. I always wanted to write.
The first author I remember being obsessed by, actually realizing 'I like the way he writes and I like the way he tells stories,' was C.S. Lewis and the 'Narnia' books.
The book I always say that influenced me, subconsciously, because at the time I didn't know I wanted to be a writer, was William Goldman's 'Marathon Man.' That was the first adult thriller that I loved. I read it when I was 15 or so, when my father gave it to me.
The other writer who had a very important early influence on me when I was about 17 was C.S. Lewis.
If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it.
I've always been drawn to writing for young readers. The books that I read growing up remain in my mind very strongly.
Listen, I wrote 10 unsuccessful books before I broke through, so I'm looking all the time to keep my books fascinating. I want to write what people want to read, not push any message.
I am becoming increasingly difficult to please as a reader, but I adore being surprised by a really wonderful book, written by someone I've never heard of before.
Stephen King's 'On Writing' is probably the most useful writing book I've ever read.
I really absolutely loved writing my first book.