My very first book, The Dog With No Ears, was written when I was five.
I folded printing paper in half and sewed or stapled the pages in so it could flip like a “real” book and it was also illustrated by me.
Now, clearly, a five year old can only do so much so I’m sure I had help but that didn’t deter me from being proud of my book! I remember I excitedly presented it to my dad at one of our visits (in true GenXer fashion, my parents divorced when I was very young), and I also remember how happy he was with his gift.
I don’t know what happened to that book but it was made with love, determination, and hope. The best kind of recipe for writing there is.
I have always written something, somewhere, everywhere, and anywhere. Recently, I was repacking boxes full of mementos and I came across journals upon journals, most half written and written in different stages of my life. Later, I would transport my journalling to writing online where I chronicled my life for over two decades. I’ve now moved again to a newsletter. I’m closing in on my 200th issue.
Now, I keep up my newsletter and also write reviews, poetry, prose, short stories, and other interesting things. I’ve also got a few novels in the works.
Do I think I’m a good writer?
When a piece gets accepted for publication, then yes. Most of the time? No.
You be the judge.
Favorite authors: Jane Austen, Kate Atkinson, Mur Lafferty, Umberto Eco, The Bronte sisters, Terry Pratchett, Julia Quinn, Eva Leigh, Caitlin Moran, Cat Valente, Eve Babitz, Jasper Ffrode, Ian Flemming, Olivia Dade, Dashiell Hammet, Emily Dickinson, Ursual Parrot, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemmingway, Henry Miller, Anais Nin, Byron, Chuck Klosterman, Lucy Worsley, Marian Keyes, David Nicholls, Neil Gaiman, Agatha Christie, Clarice Lispector, and so many more.
Interests: Women’s fiction, contemporary romance, historical romance, comedy, fantasy, general fiction, history, biographies, mysteries, cozy mysteries, romantasy, paranormal, and lastly a dash of sci-fi.
Member affiliations: RWA, Sisters in Crime, Hearts Through History, Contemporary Romance Writers, Kiss of Death, Romantic Women’s Fiction, and Great Lakes Fiction Writers.