Born on Long Island, early childhood in New Jersey, then high school, college and medical school in Vermont. General surgery training in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Left Uncle Sam's employ after nine years (lieutenant colonel) for private practice. Recently retired, I now have time to pursue what I've always enjoyed - writing. 

In addition to my highly literate, published-author (non-fiction) parents, I'd have to say my greatest influence was my ninth-grade English teacher, who made it her mission to drill the rules of grammar into us.