Mount Zion Ryan

Philippa has tagged my with this meme:
“MY TOP TEN (OR SO) GREATEST INFLUENCES, OUTSIDE OF GOD AND MY FAMILY MEMBERS.”

In no particular order, then:

1. As my Spiritual Father, how can I not have Fr. Stephen Freeman on this list?
2. Michael Poole, my life-long friend and co-creator of MZSFR. Mike and I have known each other since middle school. We were Band Captain and Co-Captain (we both play trombone) in High School. Oddly enough it wasn’t until after High School, when I returned from my brief stint in the Navy, that we really became good friends. Now I see him at least once a week. He is both my business partner and my creative conscience–that is, he is spurs me on to write.
3. My Berea Profs
   • Duane Smith, PhD. Duane was my first Religion Professor. It was the first year at Berea for both of us. We shared a taste in literature, music and movies. And he ignited a passion for Old Testament studies in me. I was Duane’s TA for two years.
   • John Wallhauser, PhD. If Duane was my friend, then Dr. Wallhauser was my mentor. He was my advisor and taught the Senior Seminar in Religion. He is a man of great faith and intellect.
   • Robert Suder, PhD. I never had a class with Bob, but as his summer research assistant, the skills and experience I gained working on the NSIA, have led directly to my current job. Also, he and his lovely wife put me up in their basement for a month.

4. Can I use my father-in-law? Well, I’m gonna. I’ll limit “family” to immediate, so there. Dennis Day’s example of Christian faith and living is largely responsible for my return to Christ. His example is still a shining beacon for me.
5. A few writers:
   • Flannery O’Conner. When I write something, she is my goal.
   • Stephen King. Before I defend reflexively, let me point to two great non-fiction books he’s writen: Danse Macabre (a exhaustive look at the Horror genre in print and film for the last half of the 20 century) and On Writing (part memior, part how-to). Now about the fiction…there’s a reason he’s one of the best selling authors ever. He writes some of the best, most believable characters I’ve read. Doubting? Read Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower IV). It may be the only time I’ve felt like crying at a character’s death.
   • H. P. Lovecraft and R. E. Howard defined and created the genre’s I love. If you’ve never actually read Conan, go now and buy this book. As for Lovecraft, I deeply admire his imagination and his work has influenced every horror writer in the last 60 years.

6. Three Teachers (if I ever get published, I’m going to thank these ladies):
   • Mrs. Knowles was my 8th grade English teacher. She was the first one to encourage me to write. When the switch went off in my head and I though, “Hey, I can write too!” Mrs. Knowles was the one flipping it.
   • Mrs. ? was my sophomore English teacher. It was she who taught me it was good to be passionate about literature…and grammar! She was the first teacher that connected with me on grammar

7. Mr. Brown was my band director from 5th grade til graduation. He is a model of hard work and high expectations. He was absolutely passionate (but only because he wanted the best for us) about forming us crazed high schoolers into a near perfect marching band. On our local July Forth celebration, I was honored to “roast” him before he recieved the award for that year. He is a man I truly admire for his devotion to his students (countless unpaid hours), his faith, his family, and his kindness.

I’m going to contemplate and reserve the right to add anyone else later., In the meantime, I tag Mimi, dang Meg already did. Okay, Ian and Mimi! You’re it.

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