which inovative/original authors are a must-read for an aspiring writer: who and why?

Answer 1

It may depend on what you want to write, like humor, history, fiction, but you probably should start with Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities."

Look at the first sentence. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Now, logically, that makes no sense at all, but the book is still a classic. If Dickens can write a classic by starting out with such pure nonsense, surely you can get something published.

But still, as opening sentences go, it's pretty catchy in it's own way. Without asking a question, it sets up a question that most readers simply cannot bear leaving unanswered: Which IS it??? The need for a hook to get readers interested is more important now than it ever was, since everyone who is anyone seems to have ADD now, or at least MTV-easily-distracted-Syndrome.

Unfortunately, he never really does tell you, he just goes on about these two unrelated people that look exactly alike, and never even bothers to explain this, not even a whiff of scandalous behavior on the part of dear old Dad, or that one's Mum might have been a pioneer in hearty-partying.

So read Dickens for encouragement that even you could write something well enough to publish and sell.

Answer 2

Stephen King - Misery

Read it, trust me...it'll do soooo much for your writing!!