This is a chapter that I'm going to try hard not to be morbid about. I have a few influences for my blogging, writing and opening up about mental health. In some form, I look up to all of them, but I also try to be myself when I write and not a copycat. I hope that you enjoy this list of people that help me to be me:
Jacqueline Wilson670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY1JJOKobB
She was one of my all-time favourite writers. Born in my home city, I met her when I was eleven in 2009 at a book event. I was so star-struck by her stories and meeting her, that I went to bed smiling for weeks afterwards. Jacky wasn't afraid to write stories including events such as death, divorce, siblings, friendship breakdowns. Her writing spoke to me so much. I recently re-read a couple of her short novels, with one in particular called Dustbin Baby, being so hard-hitting. I learnt that it's OK to include real-life events in my own stories, with characters that can make their own decisions and learn life lessons from.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr4ZrvJWJb
Anne Frank670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm29IrdZa6
Like Anne, I kept a diary in my early teens and tried to write down in that format how I truly felt. She was young like me when she started and never gave up on her dream to be a published writer. Her diary is one of the most emotional and heart-breaking books that I will never forget. I took inspiration from diary formats into stories with main characters that loved to write. I don't keep a diary personally now, but a lot of my works do contain them. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaVmohiVLr
Matt Haig670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsSqZxho7Q
Matt's story was eye-opening. He opened up about his mental health struggles and tweets everyday, I highly recommend that you follow his tweets on Twitter and stop by his books such as Reasons To Stay Alive. His decision to open up, helped me to decide to open up about my struggles too.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaCjGaEfg2
My best friend who passed away in 2010670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XGYV2SYl5
He bought real joy into my life, when for years I had struggled to find a close friend. I lost him nearly nine years ago but he always stays close to my heart. Our story I'm slowly trying to write and share, but it's taking time.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlLFY298vb
