I had a teacher who read to us - Little House on the Prairie, Johnny Tremain among others. I could never wait for her to finish. I had to borrow the book and read it. There is very little I don’t read. So influences – it’s a long list that includes Asimov, Heinlein, Dorothy Parker, Chaucer, Shakespeare, J.D. Robb, Amanda Quick, Stephen King, Jaqueline Carey… and ... on and on. I admire people and characters that exhibit gallantry under duress. I’m fascinated by the macabre, sympathetic for the confused, and delighted by those who don’t take themselves too seriously. I keep failing to emulate that last group, but I keep trying.