I've been fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on your POV) to have worked a lifetime in film, stage, TV and writing.  Influences have been too many to mention, but some of primary importance have been: David Foster Wallace, Travanian,  Paddy Chayefsky, Fellini, Ingmar Bergman,  Henry Miller, Christopher Hitchens, Norman Mailer  and Ray Kurzweil.