Her new role would be a writer. .
A few key figures in her life influenced Chopin to write. Doctor Frederick Kolbemheyer was a life long friend on whose support she always relied. Raised in Austria and then exiled for his beliefs, Kolbemheyer was a philosopher and encouraged Chopin to read Darwin, Haxley, and Spencer. Their beliefs were very similar and he must have supported her when she denounced the Catholic religion after her mother's death. The beloved friends wrote to each other often while Chopin was in Louisiana. Seeing the talent in her writing, Kolbemheyer encouraged Chopin to publish her letters. She admired him greatly and even named her son Frederick after him. (Taylor 147). .
There were three American women writers of the time that Chopin admired. When asked who would be a good model woman writer she responded, "I know of no one better than Miss Jewett to study for technique and nicety of construction. I don't mention Mary E. Wilkins for she is a great genius and genius is not to be studied." (Taylor 163). Wilkins's book Pembroke was condemned by society and Chopin must have been sympathetic when five years later her own book The Awakening was also condemned. Chopin also looked up to Ruth McEnery Stuart and praised her work as being "True to nature," and having a "wholesome human note" (Taylor 163). It is notable that later Chopin's talent and style were to be compared to the works of these women whom she admired. .
The greatest influence on Chopin was the French writer Guy de Maupassant. Chopin describes Maupassant by writing, "Here was a man who escaped from tradition and authority . looked out upon life through his own being with his own eyes; and who, in a direct and simple was, told up what he saw." (Taylor 159). Chopin translated eight of his works and through him developed her style of writing. She shared his concept of a hero : .
"An isolated world-weary and misanthropic hero who revels in his own sensuality; who trusts in nature and distrusts human relationships, especially love; who experiences a sense of liberation through solitary walks and confidences in his writing.