Rachel Whittlesey Wynn
Writer * Baker * Hooper * Community Manager
I am inspired by....
Erin Morgenstern​
The Night Circus
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Never have I read a story as magical as The Night Circus. An avid Harry Potter fan, I never thought I'd read something as creative and brilliant. Morgenstern crafted a world like no other where the circus only comes at night and is full of enchanting characters and a big secret that affects the entirety of the circus family. She inspired me to write without hesitation, a way of diction that I haven't experienced before. I HIGHLY recommend reading her first novel. IT changed my view of fiction and the spells it can cast upon readers.
​Meg Cabot
The Princess Diaries, Teen Idol, All American Girl
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Who didn't read or watch the movie about Princess Mia, the throne to the country of Genevea. Cabot's teenage voice inspired me to write a teen fiction novel of my own. A story of a girl growing through puberty, boys, and friendships in a refreshingly honest first person narrative.
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In Florida I once met Meg Cabot. I stood in line for hours with my dad at a bookstore near Miami and I finally got to see her, in real life, the women who inspired me to write. She signed her name in my book and I was thrilled. Years later I followed her on Twitter and to my immense surprise was "followed" back!
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Meg Cabot captures the voice of teen girls, and many more. She has proven that with hard work and a compelling story, anything is possible.
Cormac McCarthy
The Road
In my college Creative Writing class (with the amazing Sheila Mulligan) we had to write a fiction response to The Road. This was a midterm where we were instructed to use the diction, theme, or style of his fabulous piece of fiction. I was stumped at first, then the dark side of me was released and I wrote non-stop on a depraved story of human survival.

I decided to write a story based on the face The Boy saw on the journey down the road. A brother, sister, and uncle, all fighting for survival in a terrible land of cannibalism and fear.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Alice Series
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When I hear one of my friends hasn't read an Alice book, I wonder how they grew to know the world they live. Alice is the protagonist in a coming-of-age series about a girl and her trials and tribulations during puberty.

I grew up with Alice, the books published over the years seemed to coincide with growing pains of my own.
Stephen King
Salem's Lot, Joyland
What writer of our time hasn't heard of Stephen King, master of darkness and terror? When I read Salem's lot in 2012, I really didn't think I'd ever be able to sleep with a window open again for fear a vampire would be there waiting for an invitation. His style, diction, and themes have frightened millions and inspired many to take the path down paranormal and truly horrific writing.
Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl
Spinelli is a graduate from Gettysbug College and, through my Career Center, I was able to correspond with him my junior year. I got advice on the Children and YA genres and he gave me a better sense of where to go with "Confessions of a Criminal's Daughter".