For the writing ask: number 7 please! I feel like your ideas are so unique and intriguing I would love to know if there are other books that kind of shaped the way you think about writing or generating ideas for stories. Thanks!
Omg thank you for the ask you're so sweet ^^
7. what books have shaped the way you think about writing the most? why?
I really had to think about this one... because I have a few different answers, if I'm being honest with you. There are books that have been revolutionary in my process. There's been non-books that have done the same. There's also been books I've absolutely hated that still served to how I think about stories, just in an antagonistic/spiteful way. So uh... here's the list of books I can think of rn, plus some games because most info comes from Those anyway.
Iron Widow. I hated this book and how much potential it had that I feel was, quite frankly, wasted. And, with the help of reading it and digesting think pieces (esp from @serpentsapple , highly recommend), I have been able to better examine what I find to be IW's failings and how I would approach similar character arcs.
This isn't a book but I really love The Adventure Zone in most of its forms and this podcast has helped me learn how to have fun with creating again as well as examining character arcs and how I might approach them.
Similar with Critical Role. One day I will write a character to rival Caleb Widogast.
Soulsborne games of From Software. Again, not books. I think one of the best and simultaneously worst aspects of these games is how understated the stories are. So much of it is relegated to optional dialogue or reading the item descriptions. It has made me so intrigued by the world at large that I once spent a month researching Bloodborne Lore, including a document over 100 pages long someone had put together. I think there's important lessons and critiques to be found in its subtle worldbuilding and storytelling. Also like. Big eldritch beast hot awesome. And there's just something about these worlds that has its players dying to dive head first into it, even if they don't fully understand.
Hollow Knight taught me similar lessons but also imo does the whole "Subtle storytelling" bit better.
A Dowry of Blood. I haven't put much of what I've read to use--yet--but this book was beautiful and heartbreaking and also a super quick read and I want to one day write a book that punches people in the face the way this one did to me. Starting with... my novella about a necromancer and a vampire falling in love lol
Ngl Vampire Academy was a big inspiration for Lilium in that it really inspired me to make a,,,, messy protagonist, simply put.
I know Warbreaker is one of Brandon Sanderson's less popular works, but I loved reading it and its court of gods has been a big inspiration in the latest iterations of TWEfA
The Lies of Locke Lamorra taught me a lot about writing assholes that are still fuckin fun to write about, and about how fun third person perspectives can be still.
Finally, and a bit petty ig, The Savior's Champion has taught me that even big names in the writing sphere don't always follow their own advice.
This got a bit long, my apologies. Thanks again for the ask!