The major influence in my life was two-fold.  I was an avid reader of comic books when I was young until I discovered Robert Heinlein and then had my mind blown wide open when I discovered J.R.R. Tolkien and the 4 book series of The Hobbit and the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings.  I am currently fascinated with some of the current female writers who write in the fantasy/horror genre with emphasis on the vampire/werewolf stories.