Stephen Crane, the too-briefly-with-us author of more great fiction than many who lived three times longer. Could anyone actually read these works and not walk away dissatisfied with the status quo, even as regards one's own heart? Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden and various political lecture-essays. This caused me infinite trouble, but I would not trade away the experience for any amount of inner or outer peace. This book showed me the interconnectedness of all things, and buckled my world-view at a period of my life when I defined myself against others. Considering the increasingly cynical environment in which his work appeared, it's truly inspiring to see the spirit of the Romancer carried on with unwavering trust that young people still get it. Some have called him heavy-handed or naive, but to me, from an age even before I learned to read, really, Stan's plots, characters, and dialogue epitomize soul. Stan Lee, author of hundreds of Marvel Comics.

These influences may not always be done justice to in my own writing, but they are definitely owed a substantial debt. I have also included a few remarkable films.

Clotho's Loom by Shawn StJean