Piers Anthony. Having an older brother (6 years my senior), I emulated him as much as I could. When he was not around, I would sneak peeks at his book shelves, and then eventually started reading the books he had myself. I remember the cover of
On A Pale Horse striking my fancy.
David Eddings as well, turned me onto fantasy. Sparkhawk is forever burned into my memory.
I exchanged letters with Piers Anthony a long, long, long time ago. Still have them some where in storage...as yellow as they are now
ETA: Anne Rice was another that I started sneaking from big bro's book shelf.