A Goodreads user asked Ed Ireland:

People always ask authors who inspired then the most, or who they really look up to as an artist. So, I want to know; is there anyone/a book that was so awful that it inspired you to write something better?

Ed Ireland Tolkien was my first inspiration to stretch my imagination and dream. Other writers (Dickens, Conan Doyle, Defoe, Hugo, Melville, London, ect.) all continued the lesson of using the imagination. The writer that has inspired me to change my style somewhat is Gregory Maguire. His ability to take an extremely well-known tale and change the perspective until it's an entirely new tale fascinates me. Now when I write, I find myself always trying to show different perspectives on critical scenes.
As for a book so awful, if the book is not doing it for me, I put it down. I figure if they make money from it, who am I to change it. And there have been some real dingers I've picked up. It actually makes me angry that they have books in print and I don't.
Great question...thank you.

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