In this lifetime, many have already gone through their darkest and happiest moments. And, authors are not exempted from experiencing the good, bad, and horror that life brings. What made them special was their ability to turn their account into masterpieces that inspire millions of readers across the globe. Some fully write their intimate experiences into a full-blown novel, while others make use of some aspects of their lives and inflict them in their works. Hence, here are some of the authors who have inspiring life stories that you should know.
Maya Angelou
A poet, a civil rights activist, and an author, these are the common things that come up when people talk about Maya Angelou. However, her literary success goes beyond her job titles. Maya was born on April 4, 1928, as Marguerite Annie Johnson, the second born of Bailey Johnson and Vivian Johnson. Moreover, her parents ended their marriage and were sent to Arkansas when she was three years old. At eight years old, they were sent back and lived together with her mother. Unfortunately, she was raped and abused by her mom’s boyfriend. The abuser was detained for a day but was murdered shortly after his release.
Maya Angelou became mute for about five years, believing that her voice killed her abuser after confessing his name. During those moments, she discovered and improved her passion for literature and reading, her skill to listen and observe, and an amazing memory. Her darker days continued, but she still rose above them all, making her a phenomenal woman and a great figure in literature.
Christopher Paolini
If you have read the series The Inheritance Cycle, then you might already be familiar with Christopher Paolini. He is a popular fantasy author born on November 17, 1983, in California. At the age of 15, shortly after graduating high school, he began writing. That particular write-up turned into the first book of his hit fantasy series, which he titled Eragon. Christopher opted to publish his debut novel through his parents’ publishing firm, which is Paolini International LLC. He promoted his book in over 130 schools and libraries, discussing not just his work but also literature while in a medieval costume.
Moreover, Paolini didn’t further his education and has proven that with hard work and passion, you can still reach success. His great effort and innate talent allowed his work Eragon to name him as one of the bestselling authors at 19 years old. The book was also adapted into a film in 2006, and a year before the movie was released, he launched the story’s sequel titled Eldest. His literary success continued, which allowed him to complete his fantasy series and write other books under other genres, like science fiction.
Trea Jackson
Trea Jackson is the author of The Innocent Eyes of a Child: Everyone’s Little Girl, But Nobody’s Child. Her book narrates her personal experiences of being in a foster care system, as well as the struggle of being part of the said process. Moreover, Jackson already experienced horrible things as a little kid, from manipulation to domestic abuse. There was nobody courageous enough to save her. While being in that setup, she always found herself wishing for a loving mother and father. Trea was taken by the Illinois Department and Children Services, which released her the first time. But, they kept her under the foster care system the second time she was taken.
Being part of that certain system was harder than she thought. It was an endless cycle of hoping to find a family that would genuinely love and take care of her and experiencing abuse all over again. Jackson considered writing as her safe haven and comfort in the middle of it all. Thus, when she gained the strength to share her story and her truth, she gradually wrote her book while still pursuing her college education in 2004. Her book is a reflection of the emotional rollercoaster ride that she experienced, minus the particular abuses after getting advice to avoid backlash. It also serves as a ray of inspiration and hope for kids who were and are in a foster care system.
The Damsel’s Files 