"Everything I know about writing I learned from ..."

You know the old saying: "Everything I know about life I learned from ... [my mother, my dog, my kindergarten teacher, insert your favorite source here].

Well, I'm sure that when you think back, you can identify a major influence on your development as a writer. Perhaps it was a teacher, a colleague, a particular project. 

For me, it has always been the "challenging" reviewers, the people who read my prose with a very different perspective than what I had in mind while writing it. They help me  understand different ways of learning, different interpretations of words, and many ways to presents my ideas with greater clarity and interest. 

Who or what has been your greatest influence as a writer?  Share your stories here; I'm sure we will all learn from your experience.

Comments

[John Gillett]

Early on, Jack Kerouac inspired me to write...but as an early pro copywriter the senior editor at Harry & David once told me, "You don't have to hit a home run every time...it's a win if we can just get on base 3 out of 10 times."

That comment has taken the pressure off more than once in the past 20 years.

[Steve Slaunwhite]

My greatest influence as a writer is currently Bill Bryson. That guy seems incapable of writing a boring sentence. He reminds me that writing can be both intelligent AND effortless to read. Each day I think, "If I can write one sentence like Bill, I'll be doing alright."