Ernest Gaines is probably my major influence since he was the first "real" writer I worked with. I received my MFA from George Mason University and was greatly influenced by Richard Bausch and Alan Cheuse. Other influences have been Sherwood Anderson, whose short stories still take my breath away. Heminway for his brevity and clarity and Faulkner for "southerness." There are simply too many others in the great village of writers I've read over the years who have influenced me to mention. This includes poets and essayists.