As a writer, I can recall having go-to authors since I was very young. Often, it was because of a series, but sometimes, it is just an incredible catalogue of work. My tastes have definitely changed over the years, but the impact that these writers have had on me has not.

1. Kate DiCamillo

"Because of Winn-Dixie" was an immensely popular book in my pre-teen years, and when I read it, I immediately fell in love with it. Despite not being an animal person, the intricacies of the supporting characters and the overall homey feel of the story was the reason I read the book a countless number of times. In grade school, I wrote her, and I will never forget receiving a handwritten postcard from her. On it are words that I have come back to for many years: "Keep sending your stories in." Therefore, I will never give up my dream of being traditionally published. I will keep submitting until I am accepted.

2. Judy Blume

Judy Blume was one of the first authors whose books I actively sought. It began with "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" in third grade at the insistence of my mother, and the string continued for as long as I could find books to read. The honesty of her stories, spanning every adolescent challenge from divorce to sex, made the reader feel as though they were never truly alone in the experience of conflicting emotions during some of the most confusing times in life. In my own novels, I try to incorporate situations that readers can relate to so that the story is more believable, usually within the emotional spectrum.

3. Judith McNaught

As a romance writer, I wanted to include on this list, the author of several of my favorite books. My life was forever changed by reading "Paradise and Perfect" which, by my standards, are two of the greatest romance novels ever written. What I've learned from her books are that love stories should have the capability to make a reader laugh and cry, to feel the spectrum of emotions. Sometimes, you should even be angry with your favorite characters, as strange as that sounds. It shows that you care about them, and more than that, it proves that they are human and not these untouchable fictional characters. They are an extension of us.

4. Jackie Collins

Yes, she's her books have been called a lot of names, but for me, Jackie Collins is the most entertaining writer to read. I am still working my way through her catalogue of nearly three dozen novels, but what I've taken from her novels as a writer is to be bold. She's never been afraid to expose the underbelly of the jet-set lifestyle, and she incorporates the entertainment industry to literature in a way that I also strive to. She makes the reading experience fun yet serious in some ways, and that is a talent that I wish to hone myself.

5. Jacqueline Susann

The literary world's predecessor to Jackie Collins, Jacqueline Susann, wrote the incredible 1966 bestseller "Valley of the Dolls", which captivated me on vacation a few summers ago. I love stories that take place over years and even decades, and following the three characters in the twenty years that the novel spans. Besides that, it also lifted the veil on what was really going on during what is considered to be Hollywood's most glamorous age. While the novel has gotten much flack in the fifty years since it was published, its impact reverberates today, and I hope that one day, a novel that I write will be remembered for that long.

Honorable Mentions

Rona Jaffe- Her novels, like many of the others I've mentioned by the aforementioned authors, touched on relevant subjects. "Class Reunion" and "Mazes and Monsters" captivated me when I read them. Her career spanned more than fifty years, and that inspires me to keep pursuing my writing; for a true writer never stops.

Sylvia Day- Despite being very disappointed by the way she concluded the Crossfire series, Day motivates me to explore subjects that have yet to be tackled in whatever genre I choose to write in, as she did with her characters Gideon and Eva in her Crossfire quintet. My newest release allowed me to do this, and I would consider that novel to fall into the same subgenre of many of Day's novels.

Catherine Anderson- Anderson was one of the first romance authors I read, and the sweet, airiness of her novels makes them truly delightful reads. Because of her, I strive to create novels and series that readers will pick up simply because of my name being on the cover. (On a side note, I would also love to have covers that are as beautiful because hers are GORGEOUS.)