I've been writing since I could hold a pen.  I find it distressing and magnificent all at once.  I watch others do it and smile humorlessly to myself.  I watch others do it well and wallow in envy.  I don't fancy myself as particularly good or particularly clever, but I am dedicated to both levels of endeavor.  I promise nothing more than truth and a bare examination of my naked mind - as disturbing as that can be sometimes.   My life has been influenced by so many talented writers that I will undoubtedly fail to mention them all - but I will try to name the most prevalent.   Stephen King - a prince among writers.  The Dark Tower Series is as perfect as writing should ever dare to be. Clive Barker- another talespinner worthy of a golden pen. Shakespeare - mostly for his clear understanding of the power of semantics Mark Danielewski - twisted, twisted, wonderful mind George RR Martin - can you say believable characters? oh yeah! David Eddings - sci fi fantasy owes you one buddy (and your wife) Tolkien - he's Tolkien - 'nuff said Homer, Chaucer, Dante, Ovid - I wanna spend an hour with this bunch Dr Suess - for what he does to my kids Stan Lee - for creating a world where things make sense (spidey sense) Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster/Bill Finger, Bob Kane - for Supes and Batman Joss Whedon - Buffy, Angel, Firefly...need I say more? Kevin Smith - the loudest "silent" guy ever Prince, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, the Beatles - for providing the soundtrack for my life   There are others, but you get the gist.