The Writers Who Shape My Writing

How Every Book Becomes a Craft Lesson

I find that my writing is shaped by every book I pick up—whether I finish it or it becomes a DNF (“Did Not Finish”). Every page is a lesson. I’m either thinking, “Oh, this is brilliant—I want to try that,” or “Oof, avoid that pitfall.” Either way, I’m learning.

My primary reading diet is CRIME FICTION. David Baldacci and Robert Dugoni teach me about relentless pacing and structural tension, the kind that keeps readers turning pages long after they meant to stop.

Meanwhile, J.T. Ellison and Louise Penny inspire me with their deep character psychology and atmospheric nuance. They remind me that a thriller can be both sharp‑edged and profoundly human.

But to keep my creative world from getting too dark, I weave in ROM-COMs. Authors like Emily Henry and Katherine Center show me how to balance emotional levity with sincerity. Their work sharpens my ear for snappy dialogue and reminds me that even in high‑stakes stories, moments of warmth matter.

Reading across genres gives me a wider toolkit. Crime fiction teaches me how to grip the reader; romance teaches me how to let them breathe. Together, they help me write stories that feel both tense and tender—grounded in danger, but anchored in humanity.

Ultimately, I view every author as a mentor, showing me exactly what to do—and occasionally, what to avoid.