How I Got Here

A number of years ago, as an aspiring science fiction writer, I took a workshop from noted SF writer Ann C. Crispin.  She took one look at my SF short story and said, "You have a talent for writing romance."

"Romance" in those days meant "historical" or "Gothic" or maybe "contemporary".  There was no "paranormal" and certainly no "science fiction" romance.  So I must say I was not sure how to take that comment.  Thankfully, the world has turned, many wonderful pioneers have laid the groundwork  and now I can finally take Ann's advice and follow my true calling.

I actually started out wanting to be a journalist.  I studied International Relations at BELOIT COLLEGE in Wisconsin with that in mind (graduating in 1975), but fate had other plans.  I got married  in 1976 (still married to the same great guy), joined the PEACE CORPS and went to AFRICA.  There I actually did get to use my journalism skills for a while after my PC stint, editing several projects for the WORLD BANK.

When we returned to the States, I did more editing and publishing work for PEACE CORPS headquarters before retiring to ten acres in rural VIRGINIA. My writing and editing was limited to FREELANCING for a while before I took up fiction and fell in with the science fiction/FANZINE crowd.  That's where I met Ann Crispin and got my momentous advice.

THE BACKSTORY
I suppose all this impulse to put pen to paper is only natural.  Though I was born in MONTANA and spent some time being shuffled around the world as a MILITARY BRAT, I was mostly raised in the South (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE), the child of parents who'd escaped their own hardscrabble youth in West Virginia.  I grew up listening to what amounted to a subtle competition over who could tell the best story.  Guess I'm just putting my two-cents in.

HELP ALONG THE WAY
It takes either tremendous courage or a lot of chutzpah to believe you can entertain people with your writing.  Without the encouragement of fellow writers, mentors, editors and readers along the way, most of us would never let our work see the light of day.  I've been extremely lucky to have had a hand up from ANN C. CRISPIN, from whom I've learned invaluable lessons in several SF writers' workshops.  Thanks, too, to best-selling paranormal writer ANGELA KNIGHT for insights gained in her "kick-ass fight scenes" workshop. 

I would not be the writer I am without the chance to practice my craft I was given in the fanzine world by Randy Landers, Ann Zewen and the great community of fans at ORION PRESS  I still rely on my friends from those days,  Holly Trueblood and Beki Weight Groenwald (both great writers in their own right), for honest feedback.

No writer dares send out a manuscript that has not been vetted by a critique partner of worth.  My partner for many years has been Linda Thomas of Bowling Green, Virginia, author of an outstanding Civil War romance told from the African-American perspective, OUT OF EGYPTLAND.  (For a copy--which I highly recommend--contact Linda at LT1863@aol.com ) 

Linda and I share a bizarre sense of humor and a set of liberal social/political values.  Beyond that we agree on virtually nothing.  That's what makes our critiquing partnership so perfect.  We've talked about teaming up on a time travel romance set in the Civil War, but we'd probably kill each other before we finish it.

I keep gathering amazing new friends along the way, like SF romance writers Sharon Lynn Fisher and Laurie Green, whom I met at the Romance Writers of America national conference in July.  I'm a regular blogger with Laurie and Sharon on the terrific Spacefreighters' Lounge blog. Come by and visit!(http://www.spacefreighters.blogspot.com)  

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PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, Romance Writers of America
Member, American Internal Martial Arts Society
Member, Hovey Kan Dojo
Member, Caroline Karate Club