My father was "gypsy-like " in his approach to work,and we moved a lot ( seven schools including being home taught). In doing so, we WERE  exposed to a lot more variety where people, places and situations are concerned than most people. Makes one very independant and quite tolerant and cosmopolitan. HavING been home-taught as well as going to a lot of different schools, doesn't make for constancy and roots, but does make one interesting. I am a "people watcher" rather like the old lady in my story abstractions, I glean bits of mine and other people's lives to feed my stories. Possibly the greatest gift I have is empathy, because I can "feel" myself in someone else's situation. My greatest influences in life are my family (read my story "Once we were Four" which will tell you more) and my very last English teach at school Rodney Jack Kimble to whom I dedicated my story "Oh Kimble My Captain". In 2013 I  emigrated from South Africa to the UK and I haven't really made the time to write for a long time... watch this space...