My grandfather was a major influence in my life and as well a woman by the name of Kendra Pereira who encouraged me to write" outside the box"   the one book which has helpled me a lot has been  Poetry for Dummies.-LOL--I realize its a funny title but one that has helpekld me to imagine how to do poetry in different ways   I have been to france in 1976--met an English girl by the name of Veronica Barrow from  worcester England and who later went I believe to Bath England--there are days i often wondered whatever happened to her as we lost contact--probably married with 8 kids by now--LOL   I often think of friends I met for a brief time and then lost contact with   I think my Passion for words is from my grandfather's side as the Irish are well lnown to be talkers and Lovers-LOL   I read a lot-read the first book of -- 50 Shades of Grey--wasn't impressed with it--seems more like  Mommie Porn to me--saturday night live has a spoof on youtube on it-now that is funny   I have not published in a book a single poem of mine nor have I written any stories for publication, i realize  many who write books of poetry  never seem to be famous or get rich from their writings so i guess i am not worried if I never publish anything--I wish people would send me books to read that they have read and don't want anymore--of course to do that one would have to know my real name--Amber Moonstone  knows it-well I suppose you could send her the books and she could forward them to me?? LOL-Maybe I should ask her first tho??LOL   or if you wish--simply message me here on the den and  I will see about sending you my address and real name so you can send me a book you feel I would love to read-as I am a Bookworm   In school my 2 fav subjects were English Literature and History--I love classical and old time rock and Roll-Folk muisc-I love listening to the very talented Christine Tsen's Cello music-buy her CD's!!--she is a poet on the Den as well   I like the Blues, Gospel and I love Romance and passion in poetry and in real life   Well I was separated but my wife and I have reconciled-its amazing how the little things in our lives can easily become Mountains if we don't talk it out   I consider myself the least of all the writers and poets here on the Den-many of you have written books and I have not even done that yet,