...man...

what an inspiring fellow, when taken in quotes. There are those who can write things that will sell, there are those who can tell great stories, but those who really master mankind within their stories by painting the very nature of the human condition with figurative writing -- those are few and far between.

Sam Clemmens is one who makes me want to write. He makes me really want to live out in the world.

Looking over the stories therein, and his commentary, and I got to thinking..."I can do this." It was a few years before I got a typewriter and could start to do it properly, but the thought came then.

*****

As for any specific work inspiring something...well, I remember, a few years back, I read a comic strip storyline in "For Better or For Worse," which involves one kid in the hospital and the only person to visit him was (from his point of view) his bitterest enemy.

The image wouldn't scrape off (I'm indebted to Theodore Sturgeon for this phrase). It stuck with me for, oh, a couple of years. Eventually I worked it up into an Internet Fan Fiction story.

Twain(not because he was just mentioned, I would answer his name first everytime.), Asmiov(agian, same as Twain.), Wodehouse, Dickens, and Adams.

These are the authors who make me want to write.

So why do poeple who read my stuff invariably say, 'Hmm, reminds me of early Heinlein(before he learned how to type, or spell.)'.
Well, to be truthful, sometimes they look at it and say, 'Is this from one of the monkeys they've got trying to recreate shakespeare, by randomly banging away at a keyboard?'

Edited to add beloved Douglas Adams.

I used to want to write like a few authors, and I wouldn't be unhappy if I sold as many books or had as many fans, but no more. The older I get, the less I want to be like anyone; I just know it's inevitable.

For me the things that bring inspiration about writing are other forms of art besides reading. I fill most inpsired to write when listening to music, looking at art or even watching a good movie. After experiencing good art my favorite thing to do is write and it's when the ideas and story flow the best.

(The rest of the things you said about neglecting your responsibilities and feeling like you just had your "fix" sound eerily like me as well)

So, for me at least, it's not always the author but the book .

All stories are beautifully written, and each changed my life in some way, or at least my way of looking at the world. It remains my ultimate goal to write a story that can so profoundly affect someone's life.

As far as books go "Blue Highway" by William Least Heat-Moon and "Travels with Charlie" and "Canery Road" by John Steinbeck. They're not the best written books ever but then again the question was who makes you want to write.

I'd have to also add John Guare, although he's a playwright and anything by the Cohen Brothers when it comes to film.

Man, you hit it right on the head for me. Mark Twain is pretty much the reason why I look at writing as more than just a side activity. The man showed what one could accomplish with the written word and he did it, imho, better than anyone else.

I remember just aching to get out of high school (loooong ago) so I could read as much of Innocents Abroad before hitting the books. His descriptions of the people and the places he visited are just...sublime.

One of my favorite short pieces of his that I read at least once a year is Political Economy.

Hands down my fav Author.

In sciFi Asimov really inspires me to emulate his writing - I know his writing is not literary stylistically - but if I would love to write as clearly as he does. 2nd probably Clarke.

In Fantasy - probably only one author really inspires me to write - Ursula Le Guin with her Earthsea Saga. (I wasn't a big fan of Left hand or Disspossed). That series is so good - and permit this blasphemy - I think it's better than Tolkien's work. now I respect Tolkien's work, but he/it does not inspire me to write.

Crap: Forgot about Wodehouse!!!! Definitely add Wodehouse to the list.

and Satate, I'm on the weird bandwagon with you. With a good book I lose all sense and will stay up all night to keep reading. I have even been known to book off work on the day a particularly special book is being released, just because I know I'll be compelled to read until it's done. I also reread books over and over again.

Kind of a cheesy answer but that's what does it for me.

In terms of authors who inspire me to write, I have to say Paolini, and not because of his writing skills. I spent an entire month with my friend's copy of Eldest and was unable even open it, because every time I looked at it I thought, "This kid wrote this book and got it published. I could do that too!"

Mom and Dad,
I am fine. The food is good, and my captors are really just a bunch of okay guys; not your average rebel guerillas. My captors need an additional $10,000.00, or they will send you another digit. Hope all is well. Give my love to Sis, and give Spot a hug for me.

(By the way, I'm sending along my class ring as I no longer need it.)

There are countless other authors I love and it is my love for reading that really inspires me to write.

As far as short stories go, some of my favorite authors as appeared in F&SF magazine over the last couple of years are:

It's hard to say truly. I have ideas I just want to put to paper.
And I enjoy every minute of it.

Now as far as admiration goes...
George R.R. Martin (plot weaver par excellence)
Patrick Rothfuss (I love how the man handles words: there's true music in it)
Brandon Sanderson (Novel magic systems)
Robin Hobb (Character, character, character...)