There are many authors who have been important to me, but one stands out.

Lloyd Alexander.

His books, “The Chronicles of Prydain”, are among my favorites. 

When I was young they helped see me through dark times.  

When I was older, I sat on the floor and read them to my daughter as she toddled about her room.  When I reached those powerful moments all readers of Alexander know, Sofia would walk up to me and place her hand on my shoulder and look deep into my teary eyes.  I hope the power and beauty of his words reached her and became a part of her in those moments.  I think they did.

I also read The Hobbit and Narnia to her at that time, but the Alexander was the only one where I cried while reading.  The feeling the ending gives stayed with me for a long time, it is there still, and is as profound as anything else I have ever read.

I saw a documentary film where Alexander talks about the chronicles and where the characters came from.  Most importantly to me, he talked about how he had written books for adults for many years, but when he started writing “so-called children’s books”, the feeling content was more deep, more profound, more meaningful.

This hit a powerful node in my being.  I spent years since creating works for young audiences and families…and now have finished the first series of my original inspiration from years ago, Tales Of The Ocean City.  I still continue with my ‘serious art pieces’, after years of investment one cannot merely toss them away, but now I am focused on my fantasy works, which include hours of some my favorite music of mine in the audio albums.  Perhaps you are hearing some of it now.

I want to thank Lloyd Alexander for helping me in this life direction.  I have found the same rewards in the work!

What fantasy authors have inspired you?