Q&A with Shelter Somerset discussion

What writers most influenced me? Well, they are many and diverse. I first realized I wanted to be a writer after reading my first chapter book, Otis Spofford. I can still picture myself under the covers reading by flashlight so my parents wouldn't yell at me for staying up late, so I have to give honorable mention to Beverly Cleary although I don't write YA--yet! Other big influences would have to be Stephen King (my first "adult" chapter book was "The Shining"), Anne Rice, Ayn Rand, James Purdy, and I love the 19th century Russian writers (in translation, of course).