All About Me
This is a short week for me. The hubby is having his wisdom teeth removed on Friday, so rather than trying to think of a good, writing related topic, I decided to do something different and tell you a little more about me.
I grew up in upstate New York. Summers were fun and winters were brutal. I went from wanting to be a stewardess to a teacher and some other odd choices before falling into a banking/accounting career when I was in my late teens. College didn't interest me at the time, mostly because I wanted to get married and be with my hubby as he embarked on a career with the Air Force. I remember walking down the aisle with my dad and him asking me if I was sure, 'cause if I wasn't, he and I could slip out the door and hightail it to the bar--he was buying. I declined.
The first six months of married life, I didn't work. We only had one car and the hubby needed it to get back and forth to work. I spent a lot of time reading mysteries and women's fiction. Jackie Collins was a favorite. I never really gave thought to writing my own novels back then. I just liked to escape to other people's worlds and problems. My friend, Renea, introduced me to romance novels in the late 80's. At first I was skeptical, but after reading a few, I was hooked. I really liked the characters, the locales and the happy-ever-after endings. The writing bug still hadn't bitten me until I read Double Standards by Judith McNaught. Her flawless writing style and memorable characters gave me such inspiration that I quickly bought a notebook and a package of ink pens.
I worked full time and wrote in the evenings and on weekends. I carried that tradition with me until I had my son in the late 90's. We were newly arrived in Virginia and didn't have family nearby. My husband worked shift work and was going to college. It was up to me to take care of the baby, the house and two dogs. Something had to give--writing. For five years, I didn't pen anything. I did meet an author during that time who I admired greatly. Ms. Criswell told me about RWA and local romance writing groups. When my husband retired from the Air Force and we settled into our present home, I joined RWA and my local romance writing group. The wonderful ladies at PPRW taught me how to write in the romance genre. They also taught me how to write cover letters and a synopsis and they provided helpful hints for promoting my work. I thank them and my husband for their support and encouragement. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Through the years, some things have remained the same and some things have changed. I don't wear 4 inch heels anymore; my back no longer can take the strain. I don't wear Wranglers every day as I swore I would when I was in my 30's. I prefer being in comfy sweatpants when sitting at the computer. Purple and grey are still my favorite colors. Traditional country music will always triumph over pop country music. My fondness and respect for horses, cowboys and all things western is here to stay. Veal and sauerbraten are still my favorite foods. I'm like my mom in that when I'm home, I'm always in slippers. I hate a messy house, and this could simply mean that coats and shoes aren't put away. Patience has never been my strong point and probably never will. I've come to dislike the cold and the heat. Spring and autumn are better suited to me. I'd rather spend the night at home instead of out on the town like I did when I was young. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara remain my favorite actor and actress. And the one thing I've learned--never say never. You just don't know what the future will bring.
Have a great week everybody.
I grew up in upstate New York. Summers were fun and winters were brutal. I went from wanting to be a stewardess to a teacher and some other odd choices before falling into a banking/accounting career when I was in my late teens. College didn't interest me at the time, mostly because I wanted to get married and be with my hubby as he embarked on a career with the Air Force. I remember walking down the aisle with my dad and him asking me if I was sure, 'cause if I wasn't, he and I could slip out the door and hightail it to the bar--he was buying. I declined.
The first six months of married life, I didn't work. We only had one car and the hubby needed it to get back and forth to work. I spent a lot of time reading mysteries and women's fiction. Jackie Collins was a favorite. I never really gave thought to writing my own novels back then. I just liked to escape to other people's worlds and problems. My friend, Renea, introduced me to romance novels in the late 80's. At first I was skeptical, but after reading a few, I was hooked. I really liked the characters, the locales and the happy-ever-after endings. The writing bug still hadn't bitten me until I read Double Standards by Judith McNaught. Her flawless writing style and memorable characters gave me such inspiration that I quickly bought a notebook and a package of ink pens.
I worked full time and wrote in the evenings and on weekends. I carried that tradition with me until I had my son in the late 90's. We were newly arrived in Virginia and didn't have family nearby. My husband worked shift work and was going to college. It was up to me to take care of the baby, the house and two dogs. Something had to give--writing. For five years, I didn't pen anything. I did meet an author during that time who I admired greatly. Ms. Criswell told me about RWA and local romance writing groups. When my husband retired from the Air Force and we settled into our present home, I joined RWA and my local romance writing group. The wonderful ladies at PPRW taught me how to write in the romance genre. They also taught me how to write cover letters and a synopsis and they provided helpful hints for promoting my work. I thank them and my husband for their support and encouragement. Without them, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Through the years, some things have remained the same and some things have changed. I don't wear 4 inch heels anymore; my back no longer can take the strain. I don't wear Wranglers every day as I swore I would when I was in my 30's. I prefer being in comfy sweatpants when sitting at the computer. Purple and grey are still my favorite colors. Traditional country music will always triumph over pop country music. My fondness and respect for horses, cowboys and all things western is here to stay. Veal and sauerbraten are still my favorite foods. I'm like my mom in that when I'm home, I'm always in slippers. I hate a messy house, and this could simply mean that coats and shoes aren't put away. Patience has never been my strong point and probably never will. I've come to dislike the cold and the heat. Spring and autumn are better suited to me. I'd rather spend the night at home instead of out on the town like I did when I was young. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara remain my favorite actor and actress. And the one thing I've learned--never say never. You just don't know what the future will bring.
Have a great week everybody.
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