Matt Haig: I use Winnie-the-Pooh as a pencil sharpener for the mind'
Reading agricultural catalogues sparked early joy in storytelling.
Roald Dahl's The Witches was a thrilling childhood favorite.
SE Hinton's The Outsiders resonated deeply during teenage years.
Emily Dickinson inspired hope during tough times and influenced writing aspirations.
Paul Murray: In some ways the T'ang poets were the original Sad Dads'
Reading influences include childhood fascination with surrealism, impactful Grimms' Fairy Tales, and Fighting Fantasy series for interactive storytelling.