This is a totally offbeat choice. But as a small child, this book really did make me want to be an author. The book is called The Debater's Guide. None of your have ever heard of it, and you can't find anything about it online. It was copyrighted over 90 years ago. It's probably been out of print almost that long. I've never even read it.
My dad's father was an ardent book collector. All of his books were lovingly cared for and marked on the inside covers with hand made, typed book plates saying "John H. Arnold Private Library" and each book was numbered.
A small time entrepreneur whose various business ventures ranged from ghost writing college termpapers to manufacturing vending machines, my grandfather died a few months after my parents were married, so all I ever knew of him was one photograph, the remnant of his book collection that was in our home, and the stories my dad would tell about him. And my grandfather was the author of The Debater's Guide.
I can still remember the tingle of fascination I felt as a child looking at that book, and making the connection that books weren't just objects on a shelf, but were the creative efforts of real people. And the real person who created THIS book was my grandfather, who was not a real person to ME except in the manifestation of this book.
My grandfather's love of books quickly rubbed off on me and all the books I owned as a child still contain labels on the inside covers marking them as part of my own private library. And in a very real sense my interest in writing, which began literally as soon as I COULD write, grew out of a desire to connect with the grandfather I never knew, because of that special book on in our bookcase.
Okay, this is getting way to deep. Time to get ready for school!