If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them – Henry David Thoreau

J. K. Rowling was voted the most inspirational and admired female role model for business women in the UK in 2011. Along with her series of Potter books, she is perhaps equally famous for her ‘rags to riches’ story which will always inspire struggling writers and artists alike to think that perhaps their hard work and determination will one day bear fruit.  This got me thinking about who had given me inspiration to write and who I admire. Believe it or not writers such as Enid Blyton and Hans Christian Anderson were the first authors to ever give me a taste of what I couldn’t get enough of as a child – escapism.

This got my brain ticking as to the reasons why I am a fiction writer and my answer is simple. I have enough of reality when I am living my life so when I write I wish to visit somewhere else; a place where there is never a dull moment. Not that my life is dull by any stretch of the imagination but there is certainly no adventures to pursue or magic to be found.  Instead, I find the thrill of creating new characters is what fills me with exhilaration. To think, I can produce something that my readers may find utterly captivating is astounding and I become excited with the thought that I will be able to get inside their heads with only written words. Plus, there is the added bonus of knowing I have somehow been able to draw them inside my own creative mind.

I’m sure I’m not the only writer to feel like this. We all appreciate the thought that those around us enjoy our stories. Even the great Stephen King, who, surrounded by his millions of fans and followers only ever wanted his daughter to approve of his writing and actually read one of his books.  Sounds bizarre to me that his daughter should not be clambering eagerly towards the bookshelves to read her fathers latest story; however, I have learned from my own personal experience of writing that when it is your children whom you seek such approval you may find that they do not always see your accomplishments in the same way as others do.

I find all walks of life inspiring. Cheryl Cole is now one of the top 25 career women in this country and she sits alongside Hilary Clinton. I personally love Cheryl not just because like so many she has struggled from the world of poverty to make a career for herself but because she hasn’t lost her identity. Cheryl is still true to herself and this is why I think so many people find they can relate to her.

David Adjaye the architect chosen to design Washington DC’s $500m National Museum of African-American History and Culture, has topped a list of Britain’s most influential black people, ahead of double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah. It’s wonderful to see how someone can rise against the odds and make their dreams a reality with such an astounding accomplishment.  For me, to watch someone achieve their goals and therefore make the world a better place by doing so is simply amazing. We should all stand up and acknowledge these people who change our lives and the way we think forever.

The one person whom I hold in the highest esteem is Dame Helen Mirren.  Dame Helen epitomises acting at its finest especially upon the silver screen. The Oscar-winning actress is also a Shakespearean-trained thespian who has won an Oscar for playing the Queen. She was awarded the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her service to drama.

Her personal quote is: The trick in life is learning how to deal with it.

I think this is a fair comment and I admire Dame Helen for all she has accomplished. This fine actress has worked her entire life to make something of herself and has achieved so much. I believe hard work and determination will take you far in this life and Dame Helen shows us all how your dreams can one day turn into reality.

So what about you– come on, tell me who inspires you?