Most of you won't want to hear this, but I haven't always wanted
to write. Actually, my greatest passion is art of varied medium, though it remains my treasured hobby and one I hope
to devote more time to in the near future. But, for now, I write like crazy!
Why? I love it! I was (still am) an avid
reader who wanted to change most everything I read. So, I challenged myself one day. Fine. Write something! And, I set out
to do just that -- only -- sitting in front of my computer, I was not only stymied, but I felt as though I had no business
attempting anything literary. Who was I to think I could write? I felt silly, stupid, self-conscious, and then ... oh what
the heck, nobody has to read it but me. So, not knowing what to write, I just began with a stream of consciousness. When I
was through, I was inspired! My creation was nothing short of spectacular in my naïve judgment.
In retrospect, my
writing wasn't half bad, but if nothing else, it got my mind working overtime. I've always been creative by nature, and rarely
lacked the confidence to try something new, so ... I put my story idea's into my computer, told only a few trusted souls with
my closet writing. Then one day my mom told me to check out something she had heard on TV -- ivillage, a website for
women. It was there that everything started to click.
I networked through the Romance Readers and Writers board, connected
with established, new, and aspiring authors -- branched out to other venues -- joined the Romance Writers of America (RWA),
and all the while, I learned, absorbed, and craved any and all aspects of writing.
Fourteen months after that initial
writing attempt, I attended my first national writer's conference in Washington, DC. My goal -- to see if I was even in the
ballpark! I attended numerous workshops, listened to everything and anything, and literally walked around like a human sponge
... absorbing it all. I talked to virtual strangers, because we had at least one thing in common . . . writing women's fiction
. . . and I learned so much from these nurturing individuals. I went home with far more than I ever expected to, and the icing
on the cake -- a request for a manuscript from Silhouette! I was hooked.
But, (there's always a but!) I had a full
plate of responsibilities at home to deal with. Namely, my husband and son, plus -- a household to run, and I was the Director
of Sales and Marketing for a wallcovering buying group, and supplied three monthly industry newsletters. I was the head room
mom of my son's fourth grade class, co-Den leader (which took a lot more time than I thought, but I got a best friend
out of it!), my husband traveled constantly leaving me to sports practices and countless other activities, and I had to travel
several times a year for my job as well. Whew! Oh, and we have a yellow Lab too, who's a big baby!
Somehow, (usually
between the hours of 12 and 4 AM) I managed to write seven novels and after twenty-two months of writing (ten of those months
querying publishers) I sold my first book!
Thus proving, anything is possible!
Most currently, I am a regular contributor to two national trade magazines and though not nearly
as much fun as fiction writing, the articles keep me writing by actually providing an income! I am also looking
to expand my feelance business.
And, amazingly, I have come full circle, as I have become a mentor to a wonderful and talented lady
who is eager to learn and absorbs like a sponge. Ya gotta love that! Recently, Kathy and I attended the the RWA
Conference in Dallas and we had a blast! We were also mentally exhausted on the trip home. I'll keep you posted
on Kathy's progress!
Reading Group
Guide available
Click below!!!!!!
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(Official cover photo!)
Favorites
Some of my favorite authors are:
Barbara Delinsky, Kristin Hannah, Luanne Rice, Eileen Goudge,
Nicholas Sparks, Mary Jo Putney, Jennifer Archer, Conny Bryceland, Nora Roberts, Maeve Binchy, and Sandra Brown, James Patterson,
Barbara Bretton, Elizabeth Buchanan. (Just to name a few of the many -- and in no particular order!)
My favorite music includes: Eric Clapton, Don Henley, Counting Crows, Van Morrison, Eagles, Sheryl Crow, Faith
Hill, Tim McGraw, Natalie Merchant, Martina McBride, Lonestar, Mariah Carey, Jewel, Edwin McCain, Sarah McLacklan, Matchbox
20, and many more!
Favorite Movies:
The Big Chill Up Close and Personal Always The Love Letter Splendor
in the Grass Pearl Harbor!
A Walk in the Clouds
Still reading!
Me, age 2.
Kathy & I at RWA.
Rita Awards night.
Dallas, July 31, 2004.
My son, Nick (14 yo) and I.
Anna Maria Island, Fla.
March 2004
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