One of my earliest inspirations, going back to childhood, was the character Jo March in Little Women. I identified with her the most, although at times I would have liked to have been one of the other sisters. Through my teens, I admired other writers, everyone from Charlotte Bronte to Isak Dinesen. In my musically formative years, Joni Mitchell looms large. Also Bonnie Raitt, especially for her musicianship.