Five works that deeply influenced me

Today, I'm showing off five works that had a POSITIVE influence on my writing style, as well as informing how I plot and plan characters. Let's get started! These are in no particular order.

1. The Hobbit

While Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest and most influential fantasy stories of all time to the point that we could well call it the foundation of modern Fantasy, it is The Hobbit that has stuck with me all my life. This very simple story of the little hobbit who went on the adventure of a lifetime has inspired me in ways I can never fully tell. It's not just the adventure itself, though; what makes The Hobbit so magical to me is the utter brilliance that is both hidden, and inversely accentuated, by its simplicity. This book is AMAZING because the story itself is amazing, perfectly capturing the thrill of adventure and the joy of discovery.

What I learned from The Hobbit is that, sometimes, simple IS better. A simple journey story, where our protagonist finds things they've never seen before, battles enemies they've never met, and makes friends they'll never forget, can be just as good as a deeply complex story about politics and whatnot. Less CAN be more.

If I could EVER write a book that could inspire a child the way The Hobbit inspired me, I'd be able to die happy.

2. Superman

It's not just the character, it's the entire mythos behind THE superhero that has greatly influenced me. Everyone knows the basic Superman story, but what's always fascinated me is the mythology that gets built around the Man of Steel.

Here is the last surviving member of a people that were completely annihilated by a disaster. He gets adopted as a baby by a kind, rural couple in Kansas. They teach him right from wrong and raise him with love and care. As the boy grows up, he discovers he has powers. As an adult, he uses those powers to help and protect those around him. Why? Because it's the right thing to do.

And in this cynical day and age, where there are more evil versions of Superman than you can shake a stick at, it's hard to imagine ANYONE doing a simple Superman story and playing it straight. But perhaps that's the problem with people today, who view simple stories of people doing good for its own sake, of extraordinary people using their extraordinary gifts for the betterment of Mankind instead of for their own self-exaltation, as impossible and unrealistic. But maybe if more people grew up with Superman's mindset, of doing good for others for its own sake, maybe this world would be a better place.

3. Final Fantasy Tactics

Honestly, a LOT of people underestimate just how well written video game stories can be, and to me, there are two GREAT video game stories that have deeply influenced me. One of these is Final Fantasy Tactics, the story of a young squire who confronts the corruption of society around him. Also there's demons involved midway through the story.

What I learned from this video game is that the best heroes aren't the ones who can obliterate their enemies or do cool things like flying; the best heroes are the ones who risk everything, and often LOSE everything, for the sake of doing what's right. I learned from the main character that what's easy and comfortable and what's right are seldom the same thing, and in fact are often opposites. Because using people, stabbing others in the back, and coasting off the family name and fortune are easy, but standing up against those same people is what's right.

A comfortable life, or a righteous one. This game taught me I could have one, but not both, and only the latter is worth having. Thanks to this game, I have come to admire the heroes who risk (and sometimes lose) EVERYTHING for the sake of the people who'd never know otherwise.

4. Lunar The Silver Star

You know how a lot of writers try avoiding writing cliches PRECISELY because they're cliches? Well, Lunar taught me that it's not what plot points you use, it's how you use them. The story of Lunar is as cliché as they get: the young village boy who dreams of adventure who gets thrust into the quest of a lifetime by a bearded individual, who has to face the evil Dark Lord/Emperor who threatens the world while saving his lady love. It's been done INNUMERABLE times!

But again, it's not about telling an original story; it's about telling a GOOD story. A story that resonates with the person experiencing the story second hand. The trick is to make the characters lovable and relatable. Our hero, Alex, is introduced to us staring at the monument of his own hero, Dyne. His quest begins in earnest NOT via a prophecy brought to him by a wizened wizard, but by a childhood friend who proposes going to a nearby cave in search of a particular treasure. We're introduced to his love interest as the two share tender moments together.

When you've got a GREAT cast of characters, you've got a good story. That's why I always focus on making my characters first, before writing anything. 

5. Star Wars

This is a case of the behind the scenes stuff inspiring me. George Lucas originally wanted to do a Flash Gordon film, but he couldn't secure the rights to it. What does he do instead? Pen his own work, sell it around, and find a movie studio willing to fund his pet project. The end result: quite possibly the greatest film franchise in HISTORY.

And isn't that what we ALL want, one way or another? To have our own success story? It's certainly MY dream!