 Paolini cites old myths , folk tales , medieval stories , the epic poem Beowulf , and authors J. R. R. Tolkien and Eric Rücker Eddison as his biggest influences in writing . Other literary influences include David <unk> , Andre Norton , Brian Jacques , Anne McCaffrey , Raymond E. Feist , Mervyn Peake , Ursula K. Le Guin , and Frank Herbert . Paolini has also received inspiration from the two authors Philip Pullman and Garth Nix . In Eragon , Paolini " deliberately " included the " archetypal ingredients " of a fantasy book – a quest , a journey of experience , revenge , romance , betrayal , and a " special " sword . 
