PRELIMINARY USER'S GUIDE TO MONITOR 1,

by R. Silver

Paperback

Published January 1, 1966

About the author

Since I was a little girl, I have loved to tell stories. I frightened my mother when I was six because I wrote a story about my parents getting divorced and she found it on the kitchen table. She thought it was true and based on something my father had told me. Nope. It was all from my head. I convinced my entire preschool class that I had an older brother - I was an only child since my brother is seven years my junior. I was the envy of my sixth grade class when I told them all about our family's Christmas celebrations. It was all stories since my parents are Buddhist and Christmas was not a big deal.

A big turning point in my life was when I applied to college. I had been very involved in our student newspaper and speech team. (I was an adorable nerd) I had dreams of being the next big television personality. As it turned out, my parents had convinced me to apply for a combined premedical-medical program. I was accepted and my fate was decided. My parents could not let me turn down an acceptance to medical school. The career of a journalist or writer was hazy and uncertain. The prospects for a physician were clearcut and financially secure. So, I went to medical school and became a surgeon.

But, I continued my love for stories. I love hearing people's stories, reading fictional stories and telling stories. I had only recently started reading romance novels. I had been one who had scoffed at these books. Sure, sometimes the tales are predictable and yes, I like a scorching sex scene. But, the really enjoyable romance novels tell a story about a relationship. So many of us are searching for that magic bullet to make the relationship with the one whom we are with be our happily ever after.

Try as we might, the one we fall for may not be the ideal choice. The chemistry that causes a man and woman to be attracted to one another has puzzled poets, musicians, writers and artists for a long time. Once that chemistry has ignited, the factors that keep it burning or cause it to fizzle out can be a mystery. Little wonder we love romance. It is a chance to examine these mysterious questions.

In my future writing, I plan to continue to explore these questions with a liberal sprinkling of humor and excitement ( a.k.a. great sex scenes). I welcome comments and suggestions.