Long story short, raised in America from the Midwest to the West Coast on a starchy diet of movies and comics and science fiction paperbacks. There's a Mid-East connection in there too. I like to write about such states as California and Ohio, and such provinces as Guangdong. Japan being an interesting topic as well. Lived in Shenzhen, China since 2008 (has it really been that long?), a lovely Special Economic Zone Hong Kong-bordering chaotic city that has given me so much. I occasionally do some freelance journalism for various local publications. If you're actually interested, just google "Ray Hecht Shenzhen" for more... A few inspirations, if I may: Irvine Welsh, William S. Burroughs, James Joyce, Grant Morrison, Daniel Clowes, Haruki Murakami, Bret Easton Ellis, Neal Stephenson, Philip K. Dick