ABOUT ME
I live in Seattle, WA with my DH and computer. Yup, you guessed it, the computer next to my DH is my best friend. LOL
I've been writing stories on and off for the majority of my life, and before I could write I liked to "tell" stories. So I guess you could say that I've always been a storyteller which considering my background does not come as much of a stretch for those that know me.
I've been asked often what my road to being published was, and the truth is if not for a very special friend of my mine who knows who she is, I doubt I would be a published author. Most of you know that Getting Out Alive was my first publication, but I'll bet you didn't know that I almost didn't finish it. It's true. I had given a partial of the manuscript to someone who made themselves out to be a professional in the business and this person offered to "edit" what I had written. OMG! I about died when I got it back as this person had red marked and lined nearly every sentence. I was, as you can imagine devastated. None of the comments were constructive criticism but rather put-downs. I wanted to die, and Getting Out Alive came this close to be deleted, destroyed and me never writing another word. I look back on it now and wonder how I could ever have listened. I'm older and I hope wiser now. My purpose in telling this cautionary tale is that I discovered not long after that that I was not the only aspiring author to come under the gun by this person, nor was I the only one who almost gave up writing all together.
Fortunately, I did not give up writing due to the aforementioned friend who read what I had of Getting Out Alive, and basically said if I didn't finish it, she was going to kill me. Seeing as how she is a retired policewoman, I took the threat seriously and finished the book! To my amazement, Getting Out Alive and my subsequent books have been well received by reviewers and readers. Two years after the publication of Getting Out Alive, I began writing full-time, and I haven't looked back.
I learned something from this experience, don't let ANYONE destroy your dreams! No matter what someone says about whatever your dream is whether it be becoming an author, or learning how to knit, or skydiving for that matter, just do it. Worry less about what others think and more about how you're going to accomplish your dreams because that is the most important thing! In the end no matter what someone says it is only their opinion. That's not to say that you shouldn't listen to constructive criticism from those you trust, but just be sure you are aware when comments aren't constructive.
I have a couple hundred articles published online now and five books, two of which are in edits. So I guess it is obvious that I've followed my dream and had some small success at it. I honestly can't imagine doing anything other than being a writer now. While I do take the occasional foray into temping during those times when I want to earn a little extra money for the holidays or a special expense, I can't even conceive of working a full-time regular job now as I really love being a writer.
I'm presently working on my next three WIP's which with luck will be contracted this year. When I am not writing, I enjoy spending time with my husband, reading, creating Native American beadwork, 3D art and webpages. I've added links to my other interests so I hope you'll take a look.
I love to hear from my readers, and answer all messages personally, so please don't hesitate to drop me a line anytime.