I've spent years building well-read webites, obscure blogs (The Truth As I See It); writing to political types and legal beagles and editors, with some results I might humbly add. I even won a short story contest in college - Hey, don't laugh - I didn't get a higher education until I was 50 and I'm only, uhhh, 65 now... Just a babe compared to Grandma Moses in her hayday.  While enduring emergency heart surgery I survived one death: So  if I'm going to find out if I'm talented before I croak, I figure I better pick up my pen and get to writing.  I'll depend on you, dear reader, to let me know if I should shut it down or pester some publisher or another. Major influences?  Every book I've ever read; every adventure I've ever lived; every problem I've ever overcome, everyone I've loved or hated. Life is my major influence , Yes siree, Life with a capitol 'L' - that's my inspiration.

I reckon my karate 'best student' award and certificates of appreciation and a reverend's license don't apply here. Remember that college short story I mentioned? In the writer's world that IS my current crowning glory. Wouldn't be much of an endorsement on my tombstone, eh?