I've seen a lot of entries for this blogfest floating around, so I decided to throw mine into the mix. Christine Tyler over at The Writer Coaster is hosting the Spark Blogfest. In a nutshell, participants share what books made us realize we were "doomed" to be a writer, what author inspired our current WiP or what book or author changed our world view.

I'm going to share a book and an author.

The first book that made me itch to write was Little Women. I felt a real connection to Jo and her passion for words and I was sort of envious of that passion. I wanted something to feel that strongly for, too!

"I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all some day. I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous, that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream."

The author that inspired me to write came a few years after I read Little Women...

Anne Frank. I read her diary so many times, for years, and always finished feeling so inspired and awestruck. That she was able to remain so positive while going through so much...it's incredible. Whenever I read this line, I'm immediately amazed by this young girl's spirit:

"It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."

How about you? What books inspired you? Authors? Have you read these books?

So, it’s Wednesday. Time for my weekly daydream post. This week’s destination: Amsterdam.

Now, before any of you jump to conclusions, I don’t want to visit Amsterdam for the same reasons others might. I’m not interested in legalized marijuana or the red light district. Anyone who knows me would know that’s preposterous – and extremely laughable.

The sole reason why I’ve always wanted to visit Amsterdam is to see this place:

The Anne Frank House. When I was twelve, we read The Diary of Anne Frank in English class and I was astounded by the courage and eloquence this young girl – not much older than me at the time – possessed. Ever since, I’ve had a fascination with her. She has been the subject of many high school and college papers and she has inspired me beyond words.

A friend of mine visited the Anne Frank House a few months ago, and she said that there’s a feeling you get as soon as you walk in, like the spirits of all the people who lived there are still wandering the rooms. I can only imagine that feeling…

To be honest, I don’t know much else about Amsterdam, but it looks beautiful, doesn’t it?

Alright, that's all for tonight. Idol Gives Back is on, so I'm going to watch it and then write a little before bed. Tomorrow: I pass on the award that the super-sweet E. Elle gave me!