There are so many great authors out there that have inspired me to write the types of novels I do. I can't recall the names of those who wrote all the Harlequins I devoured as a teen, though they played a major role in who I am as a writer today. Specifically the fantastic line of Flipside novels that are now extinct. But probably the biggest influence is a woman named Jennifer.

Okay, TWO women named Jennifer.

Jennifer Weiner.

Jennifer Weiner writes with such wry humor and heart that I fall in love with her characters from page one. Though she doesn't write "romance" in the traditional sense of the word, books like Good in Bed or In Her Shoes have an underlying romance theme. She's seriously fantastic.
Jennifer Crusie

Now, Jenny's books are closer to what I'm trying to write. Funny, sexy love stories. If you haven't read a Crusie, you're missing out. Big time.

Though the whole letter J kind of limits this post, I feel like I should mention a couple more lovely ladies that I love. Carly Phillips and Kristan Higgins. I love their work and hope to accomplish something like it someday.

What about you? Who are your writing heroes?

I think I've posted more this week than I have in the entire month of August combined! I can't help it, though -- I keep stumbling across these cool blogfests that I can't resist (by the way, thanks so much to everyone that stopped by from The Great Blogging Experiment. I'm glad I could offer some useful nuggets of advice to the feast of information in the blogosphere yesterday!)

This time, it's hosted by Madeleine over @ Scribble and Edit She's doing a Top Ten Novels Blogfest and I decided to add my two cents. By the way, it's not too late to participate in this one -- it's all weekend!

I don't even know how to narrow my favorite books down to ten, but I'll give it a shot.

10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

(No explanation needed, right?)

9. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

(Great secondary characters and a touching story)

8. Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

(Okay, so I actually like the movie version more. Novalee is such a quirky and adorable character and, again, the secondary characters are so well-rounded)

7. The Dogs of Babel by by Carolyn Parkhurst

(Intriguing and sad. I love the way Parkhurst writes)

6. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

(Because I want to be Jo when I grow up)

5. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

(Haunting and beautifully written)

4. In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner

(Anything by Jennifer Weiner, really. I adore her)

3. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

(I swallowed this book whole in about 3 days. Yeah, it's that good)

2. Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

(This is a beautiful, touching and heartbreaking story about two best friends...I've read it three times and I'm sure I'll read it a dozen more)

1. White Oleander by Janet Fitch

(This is how I aspire to write...the prose is so lush and lyrical that I want to suck it into my veins)

Whew! That was really hard! So what do you guys think? Any of your favorites make my list?