Gail Carson Levine is one of my all-time favorite fantasy writers. She has written many amazing stories like “Ella Enchanted” and the fabulous novel “Fairest”. I love her fairytale realm mixed with love, adventure, humor,  and witty characters. It's like she takes human life and perfectly wraps it into incredible stories. Her words have made me laugh and cry all in the same chapter. She has created a universe out of paper and ink. It's better than any possible superpower. 

The world is full of influences from ads to social media. Well, she influenced me in the best possible way. She made me want to be a writer. I had spent my life making up stories, conversing with imaginary friends, and then she showed me that anyone could have the power to create. To make something that lasts forever. Because that's what writing is, timeless. From the Iliad to Hamlet stories are what bind us together. There's a reason that practically every successful civilization had some form of the written word. It's something permanent in a world of fleeting joys and that's important. I can only dream of one day having the skills to create something beautiful and real. Something to be remembered even when I am gone. Something timeless. 

While I adore writing and reading short stories with fanciful characters and wondrous realms I can also see the importance of a more introspective piece. Poetry captures this wonderfully. It doesn't shy away from important topics. Instead, it dives in unafraid of consequences. As a writer poetry allows me to find a deeper meaning in everyday things. One poet who does an amazing job at this is Sofia Aguilar.

Sofia Agular is one of my role models. We're part of the same writing organization called Writegirl which I've been a part of for about two years. I love reading her Newsletter and have both of her Chapbooks.  While lesser known, she is a talented self-published poet. I absolutely adore her poetry, mostly because of how deep and personal it is. It is like you can see her soul on the paper, you can practically hear her thoughts. It seems most people are so closed off so it's a gift to see her that vulnerable. I hope like it does for her, my readers will truly be able to see me through my writing.  

Here are some of my favorite books written by Gail Carson Levine:

Fairest (Heres a link to buy book) https://amzn.to/3KiweTk

Ogre Enchanted (heres a link to buy book) https://amzn.to/3KIDMQK

To learn more about this incredible author here’s a link to her website: https://www.gailcarsonlevine.com/

As for Sofia Aguilar these are her two chapbooks:

Streaming service: golden shovels made for tv

Streaming service: season two 

I encourage you to take a look at her newsletter “slush pile” it’s filled with helpful tips (I never miss it) here’s a link:https://www.sofiaaguilar.com/

Well that’s my bit. What about you? What traits do you appreciate in a writer?


(Disclosure: I may receive a small commission for purchases made from links provided.)