Jennifer Niven's Reading Interests

My mother, Penelope Niven, has and continues to be the greatest influence in my life, not only as a mother and a friend, but as a writer.  When I was little, we would have writing time, with Mom at her big desk and, me at my little one, working on our stories.  She always taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be and do anything I wanted to do.  She is my best editor.  Other influences:  Flannery O'Connor, Harper Lee, and Hemingway.  Ray Bradbury influenced all of my high school and college-era work.  Johnny Cash's songs are an influence as well--I love how spare and raw and powerful they are.  I think he's great inspiration for a writer.  I studied screenwriting at the American Film Institute, and from AFI learned the importance of discipline and dedication.  Lastly, one of my high school writing teachers, who taught me "pure economy of word," a lesson I remember every time I sit down to the computer.