When I'm not writing, I'm reading about writing. I like to watch older movies, and listen along to the commentary track, especially if its a favorite writer like William Goldman. You can pick up a lot of great tips on increasing dramatic intensity or comedy for instance just listening to Jerry Lewis commentary on any of his great comedies. The commentary track of Roger Ebert on Citizen Kane is a master class in directing film.

I usually look for something interesting. As I have eclectic taste, that could be anything from a treatise to light fluff. I can be my worst critic, but I'm pretty sharp with writing hacks as well.

I write constantly. I write in bed in the dark, while I'm driving, in the movies. It really doesn't matter. You think I'm engaged at tonight's dinner party? Sorry. Looking at you but really writing.
Thurber used to scribble on dinner napkins at parties. I totally understand.

Big fan of anything Saroyan's. His short story collection The Daring Young Man... probably changed my life. Nine Stories (Salinger) too, is a far superior work (imo) than Catcher ever was.. When you hear something that just knocks the wind out of you - like a Beatles song, or a Dylan lyric -- those are the things that you strive to reach.

Gatsby, Daring Young Man, Hurray for Me, War and Peace, do screenplays count? I've read Butch Cassidy over 100 times.

Studied confusion.

Horror stories at the hands of legit (so-called) publishers. I'm not setting the world on fire in the indie world but then i'm not being lied to either. It's good to be in control again.

I love the Indie feel of Smashwords and the real concern that Mark shows in our success. Not a huge Smashword author but its not to have more total artistic control and to be master of my own ship.

To leave something of lasting impact in this world.

The rent!

I wrote a little chapbook of dopey stories and colored the cover myself, and then stapled the whole thing together so that it resembled a book (Kind of what i do here!)

Everything, anything. Love the classics. There's nothing like settling down with Dicken's (anything by Dicken's) on Christmas Eve. The beach calls for Connelly or Grisham or.. There's a lot of new talent out there.
And of course Stephen King is always interesting.