I'm a big supporter of the 'write what you want to read' train of thought. I've done the school thing and read assigned literature and took literary criticism and dissected novels, etc.

Now, I just want to read something that I enjoy for the simple reason that it makes me laugh or makes me want to know who dun it. Therefore, why would I write something I wouldn't want to read myself? It makes the process so much more fun and writing becomes this great thing I do, and not a job.

And yes, about the writers. To be honest, the only photo I have on my desk is one of my dog, Maggie. 'Cause she's never critical and always likes me no matter what I write. ;D