By training I'm an attorney and business consultant. I've always paid close attention to current events, and my writing is influenced by issues that I perceive to result in unintended negative consequences for the parties involved.  I read much more non-fiction than fiction, particularly political history and political biographies. Most iction I read is either in the spy genre, mostly Alan Furst, satirical fantasy, especially Terry Pratchett, and an occasional John Grisham and various others.