Writers of Influence by Lynn Lovegreen

There are so many ways to define a writer of influence. I love reading authors in different genres, and often try to emulate them in elements of their writing craft. But today I’ll talk about a few writers who I admire for walking their talk and living up to their ideals. They influence me to try to do the same in my own writing life.

The first is one of our own Genreistas, B. A. Binns. While B. A. is a talented author of middle grade and young adult novels, she also shares her expertise in writing diverse characters through teaching workshops in the subject and honoring diverse authors at events like Romance Slam Jam. Learn more about her at http://www.babinns.com.

Another is author Cynthia Leitich Smith. She is a children’s and YA author, and her website https://cynthialeitichsmith.com is full of great resources including topics like “Diversity and Inclusion in Children’s and Young Adult Books” and “Free Speech, Censorship, and the Right to Read.” She also gives shout outs to diverse books and authors on her Twitter account.

A third is Alaskan author Dana Stabenow. She is best known for her 31 novels. After several years of success, she recalled her influential experience at a writer’s retreat and decided to pay it forward by creating the Storyknife Writers Retreat, where women writers can create in a peaceful, inspirational setting. Learn more about this at https://storyknife.org.  

All of these writers (and others I don’t have room to mention here) share their hearts and minds through their writing, and also through their actions. I want to be like them. My advocacy for libraries and my blog theme #Let’sThinkAbout Critical Thinking is a start. I hope I can refine my mission and techniques by following these masters of influence.

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for almost fifty years. She taught for twenty years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.