I live in Northwestern Connecticut, tucked in among the hills of Litchfield County with my husband, my two cats, and a few tropical fish. My two sons now grown, married, have started families of their own and I am now the proud grandmother of two beautiful granddaughters.
For many years I worked in corporate America. Position included office manager for a local advertising firm, administrative assistant in long-term health care and legal assistant in the corporate law department of a Fortune 500 company. When my two sons graduated college I quit working outside the home and devoted most of my time to writing romance fiction.
This was not an easy decision for me as I enjoy interacting with others. Suddenly I found myself interacting mainly with my two cats, though I know they love having me around. At first it was difficult getting into a routine, accustomed to living by the clock my time now pretty much my own. I think it took about a year for me to adjust to this new schedule.
I have many interests that keep changing. Currently my interest lies in forensic science, which I now live and breathe. CSI, Jordan Crossings, Law & Order, Forensic Files, the New Detectives are a few of the programs I make it a point to watch. Not to mention acquiring a slew of reference works such as Dr. Henry Lee's Crime Scene Handbook, Hidden Evidence, What the Corpse Reveals among which now line my burgeoning reference shelves. I currently completed a research paper entitled "The Crime Scene Tells the Whole Story as Long as Someone's Listening" for a class I'm now taking in Criminal Justice at a local college where I plan to eventually earn certification in Forensic Science.
Writing has always been a part of my world. As a child I would write poetry and animal stories. In grade school a group of us would write plays and direct them, putting them on for the whole school. I didn't write much when my two boys were young. Working full time and taking care of them pretty much took up all of my time. During a layoff I found myself home, alone, and that's when I started reading those short category romances. When I started to write these smaller romances, I joined Romance Writers of America, the local RWA chapter so that I could attend the workshops and conferences.
I've been reading romances since the 70's, first the long historical. Then in the 80's when the short category romances came out with Harlequin and Silhouette I devoured them. When I tried my hand at writing them, I found they were not easy to write. These shorter romances focus on the developing relationship between hero and heroine and do not expand into subplots. NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES is a short romance of a little over 200 pages and consequently I had to be very careful not to wander away from my hero and heroine's story. I would have liked to have devoted more of the book to the young boy Brian's story and believe I incorporated just enough of his story to satisfy 'most' readers. The longer books give you much more flexibility as well as room to wander off into those subplots.
I joined Romance Writers of America, and the local Connecticut chapter to be able to attend workshops and conferences to learn more about this craft. This has helped tremendously I think. Here you not only find out what is required when writing these stories, but what editors of the various publishing houses are looking for and buying. Also, by attending these functions it offers a chance to network and develop writing relationships.
I have three books now published. NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES published by Novel Books, Inc., and A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE published by Treble Heart Books are both contemporary romances that revolve around the premise of reunited love.
I just finished a romantic comedy that has recently been contracted by Novel Books Inc. and will help launch their new romance line REAL WOMEN/REAL ROMANCE next April. I'm very excited about this project. Some years ago I had written a short story entitled DEEP PURPLE, a somewhat sensuous tale about a young woman with generous curves, a flashy purple dress, who experiences rather erotic dreams. The editor of that magazine was surprised when it actually received very favorable fan mail stating the readers really like the plot. Some who have read the story wished it were longer. I expanded the story into a full-length romance called DREAMS AND WEDDING CAKES and this longer version will make its debut next April at Novel Books, Inc.
People often ask where do I get the ideas for my characters. Let's just say some of my characters come from a thinly veiled composite of people I know. Eliah Stewart in A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE is fashioned-somewhat-from my 90-year-old father-in-law and 87-year-old father. Basically Lia and Sean are their own person(s), as is Sydney and Grant in NO MORE SECRETS. My main characters evolve basically from somewhere in my own imagination, whereas secondary characters might acquire traits from a variety of people I've either met or have known, but never from just one person. As much as we strive to create distinctive characters with unique emotions and characters traits I don't think any writer can help but put some part of them into a character.
I enjoy writing about heroes with "fatal flaws." Grant Sinclair, my hero in NO MORE SECRETSindeed possesses a fatal flaw especially when he marries his fiancée after enjoying a one-night stand with my heroine. This left room for Grant's character growth, which I believe I succeeded in accomplishing in his story.
I also love writing stories that encompass the "secret baby" formulas that readers of romance fiction look forward to reading. Both of my books NO MORE SECRETS and A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE encompass these elements. Probably why many of the reviews coming in are giving these books excellent ratings, making comments as "poignant and beautifully written," and they "couldn't put it down." I work very hard to create believable stories that encompass three-dimensional characters who go through a character growth.
In A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE, which has also been earning outstanding reviews, both my hero and heroine are although older than what you would find in most romances, also go through their own character growth process. I'm proud to say that the Epilogue in this story will be included in an anthology entitled "Let Us Not Forget: A Tribute to 20th Century Veterans." This anthology will help raise funds for a 20th Century Memorial currently being built in North Platte, Nebraska. Former Senator Dole, Senator Kerry, and Colonel Morgan (who flew the Memphis Belle in WWII) will be contributors. In light of what happened on 9/11, I am honored to be a part of a project that will pay tribute to those who have fought in past wars and to those who are still fighting to protect and save the freedom we now enjoy in this country.
Writing is hard work and I think getting started, getting those first words, that first scene on paper is the most difficult part. Then creating a world where I will mentally and emotionally exist for days, weeks, and months to come. A world that although must be realistic in all aspects allows readers to live their own fantasies as the story takes them on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Each morning I turn on my computers, go through my emails. Then scenes like movies will play inside my head. I'll write a scene, following the method that employs the technique of scene and sequel, a technique Jack Bickham told us about during one of his workshops. At times my characters try to take over, but as long as I maintain a strong focus, my story goes where I want it to go.usually. It takes several months to complete the first few drafts of a story once I finish the research. Writing is always rewriting and unless I put on the brakes, I'll rewrite a story ad infinitum.
I do enjoy writing love scenes and I think that shows in my work. Many reviewers have rated NO MORE SECRETS as highly sensual, warning readers that they may need a splash of cold water afterward. Those who have read this particular book, namely a few family members give me the 'look' and may warn others about Chapter 13. I never put a love scene in gratuitously but always ensure it evolves out of the developing relationship of my characters. In A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE the love scenes happen at the right moments where my hero and heroine, who are baby boomers are reminded that even though they are older passion does not fade with passing years.
Frankly I never found it all that difficult to write these love scenes. I think most writers develop the necessary emotional connection with their characters that allows her/him to write these scenes. I have this affinity for water, namely warm ocean waters and tropical breezes and why Chapter 13 in NO MORE SECRETS is one of my favorite love scenes. We have our hero and heroine discovering each other in a most intimate romantic setting, i.e. on a Floridian beach, a warm tropical night under stars and moon, with the sound of waves gently crashing against the shoreline. Others who have read this scene tell me that it works beautifully.
NO MORE SECRETS was the first book I wrote, and A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE the second. I currently have three to four projects in development. I have one inside a file drawer that will never see the light of day. But pretty much what I've written has been well received. I think that's because before I started to submit to publishing houses I took the necessary classes, attended workshops that helped me write good solid fiction. I'm not saying I didn't get rejected, but each rejection offered encouragement rather than discouragement.
My advice to aspiring writers is perseverance, persistence, and lots of patience. Learn the craft of writing, read a wide selection in the particular genre you want to write for, attend creative writing workshops and writing conferences and when you finish a project, submit it. If and when you get those rejections letter, regard them as merely stepping-stones to your final success, which is publication of your work!
NO MORE SECRETS, NO MORE LIES can be ordered at www.novelbooksinc.com
A SOLDIER'S FORTUNE can be ordered at www.trebleheartbooks.com