Influencers (and not the Instagram variety)

I was thinking today about which writers have influenced my writing style (because there is nothing new under the Sun). It was a difficult list, because there are many writers I love, but a few come to mind.

Armistead Maupin. His "Tales of the City" series hooked me from the beginning. The chapters were serialized in the San Francisco Chronicle and each chapter ended with a cliff hanger. I love that style. When a writer leaves a question at the end of a chapter it makes me want to know what happens next.

John Fowles. He was experimental with several of his novels and when I read "The French Lieutenant's Woman" I was intrigued how he would snap the reader from the 19th Century story and compare it to life today. He also explained that he doesn't make this up - he simply watches and writes it all down. I try to do that in my writing and I know I've got it wrong when my brain gets in the way.

Charles Dickens. His use of words intrigues me and while I don't "get" Victorian English, his books opened my mind and led me into new worlds. I like to think that I can do the same world building in my writing.

Just thoughts. I think we're all inspired by many different people. While I try not to mimic writers I know that I find things in their work that move me forward.