I recently picked up some Goosebumps books for my kids to read. I haven't really thought about the series in quite some time (even with a movie on the way), so seeing them at the store brought back so many amazing memories.
Most authors like to credit Chaucer, Austen, Faulkner, or Dickens (among so many other literary masters) for sparking their interest in writing. And they certainly deserve the praise, as I too enjoy their work.
But when I saw these Goosebumps books on the store shelf, it all came rushing at me like a freight train. R.L Stine was a huge inspiration for me, and maybe one of the most important! I consumed Goosebumps books like a hungry animal. I remember starting the series over while waiting for the next one to come out. Some were scary, others were thrilling and adventurous. There was so much excitement and terror and wonder all at once. It was such an amazing feeling when my dad would take me to the bookstore to pick up another one, or when I would wait for my book order from school to come in so I could dig into the next book at recess.
It wasn't long after, I was still in elementary school, that, although I loved the Goosebumps books, I needed to go bigger and scarier. My Aunt was a big reader with stacks of Stephen King novels. While waiting for the next Goosebumps book to hit the store shelves I was right there in Derry, Maine or in the mountains for a quiet vacation at the Overlook.
All-in-all R.L Stine and his Goosebumps series poured gasoline on the fire that was my desire to write, taking it from a smoldering ember to a raging inferno. Thank you R.L Stine. You're truly inspirational.
Thank you all for reading!
Linus
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