Alexander Maksik
“Before I was a writer, I tried to live like a writer and that was my great adolescent mistake.
Writers Recommend
In this online exclusive we ask authors to share books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired them in their writing. We see this as a place for writers to turn to for ideas that will help feed their creative process.
Bonnie Nadzam
“I honestly have no idea what it is that inspires me, but there have definitely been days and even years when it seemed nowhere to be found, because I was crowding it out.
Jim Daniels
“I treasure personal totems. The J. Geils Band’s album Bloodshot came out on red vinyl in 1973, and when I slide that bright record out of the sleeve, it takes me back
Lee Martin
“The raw honesty and the gritty lyricism of any song by Lucinda Williams hotwires me to the ugly beauty of hearts in conflict.
Melinda Palacio
“I was ten years old before anyone figured out I needed eye glasses.
Evelyn Toynton
“Of all the myriad pronouncements on writing, the truest one, for me, is something the poet Robert Kelly said
Miroslav Penkov
“I find inspiration and solace in the wise proverbs of my ancestors, the great and noble Bulgarians.
Shann Ray
“I am thankful to be surrounded by lovely women—my wife, my three daughters not yet grown
Deborah Kay Davies
“Who knows what prompts a person to write? Thank the gods it’s mostly a mysterious process. When I sit down and confront the yawning white screen
Scott Sparling
“Music, of course, starting with late-1960s Bob Seger, but also the alt-country-trance music of Jesse Sykes, and Jon Dee Graham