Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Major Influences For the first twenty five years: An Irish Catholic childhood, my father, Mahtma Ghandi and Mother Theresa. For the following twenty seven and counting: The Canadian tapestry of geography and peoples, the Caribbean, Abdul-Baha and the Baha'i Faith.   Favorite Writers Michael Ondaatje - for his sensibility to the human heart Yann Martel - for his majic Elizabeth Kingslover -for her humanity   Biography Born and Raised in Ireland, Nora Ryan immigrated to Canada in 1980 and spent eighteen years working in rural Manitoba prior to a two year stint living on a small island in the Caribbean (1998-1999). This experience provided the inspiration for her first two works of fiction.  Across the Great Divide examines the divide caused by race and socio-economic circumstances and the ability of the human spirit to bridge the divide.  Cracked Conch is a collection of short stories and poems delivering a series of vignettes into the lives of a colorful cast of misfits and mischief-makers. Marie’s Story, Ryan’s latest work is a story told in the first person through the eyes of a child living in Haiti.  This story puts a human face on AIDS and brings the reader into the lives of children, illuminating their struggles and triumphs in a haphazard and uncertain world.  Dragon Quest is Ryan's first children's book. In the tradition of Aesop's Fables, Dragon Quest is a fictional story featuring mythical creatures with human qualities. The tale while packed with adventure illustrates a moral lesson in the virtues of courage, cooperation and kindness. Suitable for 8-10 year oldsand those hwo have yet to lose their fascinatiuon with dragons. Nora Ryan currently lives in Squamish BC. She is marrried with two adult children and two grandchildren. Nora Ryan is a pen name.