For one story, I was very motivated by a book called Housekeeping.
For another story, I was motivated by Wicked, The 6th Lamentation, and The Heretics Daughter.
How about you?
David
Favorite Answer
Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot.
?
Really my Idea just stemmed mostly out of thin air and a love for comic books. Although I do recall getting some motivation from Fallout 3.
I know that might sound a little vague honestly though I can't say my motivation for this story came from a book. The Mammoth book of Steampunk sort of helped me get to know the world of Steampunk so I guess if any book motivated my story it's that one.
Clawpaw
For me it is not really one particular book that has inspired my story. All the good books I have read have inspired my writing somewhat and the story I am writing is in the style I have crafted from all my different sources of inspiration.
Davirk
Lots of Lovecraft- if you're going to do aliens right he's required reading.
I tend to get inspired a bit more by video games because it feels less like imitation, I think.
The one in space was inspired by Ender's Game and Dune. The one with magic was inspired by LoTR, like everything else with magic.
Anonymous
The Ender's Game series. It made me want to write sci-fi that has to do with aliens/otherworldly beings.