Beryl Singleton Bissell, whose Backstory we featured on Friday, is the author of the critically acclaimed The Scent of God. We asked her about the books that have most influenced her writing life. She graciously wrote us the following:

I am a huge lover of books and have many favorites, but for inspiration the following have had the greatest impact on my life as a writer.

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I was just a few weeks pregnant when I was hit with the idea for my newest book, Switchcraft. I was on the phone with my friend in New York, turning just a slight shade of green at the tales of her dating adventures. My life as an unfettered young woman was over and then I wondered what would happen if we switched lives?  Continue reading...

Check out these literary blogs for belles-lettres-related thoughts profound, serious, quirky and sometimes humorous:

Ready Steady Book blog

The Literary Saloon

Spurious

This Space

Here's a novel, ahem, idea: Stories that involve books, publishing and writing. Check out:

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

I kept hearing about joy, but what I saw was struggle. Doubt. Anguish. I heard praise, but even without looking, I stumbled upon notes of opposition that told -- just maybe -- a different story. The year was 2002 and I was in Puerto Rico on a research trip, watching archival footage of the famous Spanish cellist Pablo Casals.  Continue reading...

These writers maintain outstanding blogs that explore creativity and the writing life. Learn from them.

Theresa Williams

Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

Alton Gansky

Chris Well: Learning Curve