Iveechan said:
I on't consider myself to be purposely inspired by other authors... but some inspiration must have leaked from then. Ew, that sounds gross.
Claie Bell is one I really like. She wrote the "Ratha's Creature" series, 4 books (I have yet to read the fourth, the third is my favorite). Ratha's Creature is actually a book recommended for younger readers (pre-teen or early teen I soppose), but the author was able to pull off animal mating without making it too graphic.
What? Someone actually made an appropriate describtive sex scene? Up until now, I didn't think that was even possible. Well, as soon as I find this book, I'm going to read it. *puts aside the nessacary amount of money. (Uh, BTW, how much do you think that is?)* I've read too many a story that had sex scenes that were quite inappropriate and gave sex a bad name. As soon as I read this, I'm sure it'll be quite a change.
Anyways, one I would recommend is Dave Pelzer. If you haven't heard of him, I highly suggest you read his books. (A Child Called "It", The Lost Boy, A Man Named Dave) They are about his life. Now, that may sound corny, but what if I told you he was one of the most abused children in the cases of abused children in California history? Sounds interesting now, doesn't it? He was abused physically, emotionally and spiritually throughout his life. (You wouldn't even believe the "publishing abuse" he had to go through to make his book a reality. *sadly sighs* it just seems like the world was against him and he did nothing more than live it.)
"A Child Called 'It'" is about his life from 4-12. (Note: This is from the back of the book. Yes, I have read it myself. Yet, I find it rather difficult to describe. As proof, my own comments are in ( ).) He was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played torturous, unpredictable games - games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it."
Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. (At one point, his mother starved him for 7 days just as a punishment. All he had through that time was nothing more than the crust of a pie piece.) The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. (His mother actually made everyone believe she was a "nice" mom. One that found abuse a sin.) He had nothing and no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive - dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.
Through each struggle you'll find yourself enduring his pain, comforting his loneliness and fighting for his will to survive. This compelling story will awaken you to the truth about child abuse - and the ability we all have to make a difference.
(Trust me, despite the violence and language, this book is well worth reading. In fact, the book has inspired me to put such a thing into "The Deadliest Tournament." You'll definately see how well I know the story when I put this into my fic. (Note: at this point, I want to use the word "it," but the word sounds so wrong now.))
"The Lost Boy" depicts his life from 12 to 18. (Once again, from the back of the book. And yes, I have read the book. And yet again I will provide my own comments as proof at certian points.) Imagine a young boy who has never had a home. His only possessions are the old torn clothes he carries in a paper bag. His only world is isolation and fear. Although this young boy has been rescued from his alcoholic mother, the real hurt is just beginning - he has no place to call home.
This is Dave Pelzer's long-awaited sequal to
A Child Called "It." Answers will be exposed and new adventures revealed in this compelling story of his life as an adolescent. Now considered an
F-child - a foster child (Note: People call a foster child an
F-child if they don't feel them worthy of being one of the family.) - young David experiences the instability of moving in and out of five different homes. Those who feel that all foster kids are trouble - and unworthy of being loved just because they are not part of a real family - resent his presence and force him to suffer shame. (He had to steal just to be found popular among his schoolmates. He didn't want to do it, but he wanted friends. Yet, even with that, you'll see that he had ZERO friends in his teen years.) Tears and laughter, devastation and hope: all create the journey of this little lost boy who desperately searches for the love of a family. (He does get one eventually, but nearly too late in his life. He's almost 18 at that point and he hasn't learned all the lessons needed to survive out there.)
Though many in society ridicule the foster-care system and social-service fields, Dave Pelzer is a living testament to the necessity of their existence. Whether you are a fan of the author or picking up his work for the first time,
The Lost Boy is a sequal that will move you and stand alone as a shining inspiration to all. (What he goes through here, you won't believe.)
"A Man Named Dave" depicts his life from 18 to 36. (Note: This one is my own statement. I have yet to finish the book. Sadly, I have lost such a thing. If I can not ever find it, I will buy it with my own money and pick up where I left off. I promise to the world, I WILL FINISH THIS BOOK.) Now out on his own, Dave goes through every little thing an adult does: Marriage and family. However, it is not as happy as you may think. The family he left behind is abused by his mother and beg him to be saved. Yet he knows he can do nothing to save them. His wife finds it difficult to love him. He is constantly abused by the torture of his past, which often asks him to abuse his offspring. To top it off, he finds it hard to forgive his mother. Which he knows that if he doesn't, he will become her.
"A Man Named Dave" is a one of a kind story that brings you through the spirital abuse he went through as an adult. From leaving the one he actually considered FAMILY, all the way up to, IIRC, where he has a nine year old son. (Back then I used to spoil myself and look at the ending part way through. Fanfics have taught me alot about patience.)
Dave Pelzer is a living example that proves that if you just truely believe in your dreams, they will come true.
Trust me, these stories are worth reading. You won't regret it in the end.
I guess that this is what has inspried me to write the main majority of my stories. Stories that hurt your heart and soul. Stories that reflect the sadness in the world. I believe that if I never read these stories, I wouldn't be the author I am today.
Amazing how such stories can be a part of your life, huh?
