I always wanted to write a novel, so when I retired from “real work” in 2021, I started exploring what that might mean to me. A year and a half later, I had a professionally edited, complete manuscript in my hands. The book just needed a publisher—Ha! That wasn’t an easy task, BUT my first book, "Forks & Knives," is now available on Amazon and through Barnes & Noble online!
I welcome you to explore this site to learn more about little ‘ole me, "Forks & Knives," related resources that might be of interest, as well as updates on my future fiction projects. (Book #2 is now at the publisher - waiting to hear...) Also, the Blog page will provide insights into my writing journey - and the things that keep me up at night - ha! Finally, please consider signing up for my email list. I won't bug you, promise! But I'll look forward to reaching out only when there's news to share. As a Thank You, I'll send you a sneak peek of "DARE," my newest work-in-progress. Feel free to stay in touch. Would love to hear from you. Best...
I always wanted to write a novel, so when I retired from “real work” in 2021, I started exploring what that might mean to me. A year and a half later, I had a professionally edited, complete manuscript in my hands. The book just needed a publisher—Ha! That wasn’t an easy task, BUT my first book, "Forks & Knives," is now available on Amazon and through Barnes & Noble online!
I welcome you to explore this site to learn more about little ‘ole me, "Forks & Knives," related resources that might be of interest, as well as updates on my future fiction projects. (Book #2 is now at the publisher - waiting to hear...) Also, the Blog page will provide insights into my writing journey - and the things that keep me up at night - ha! Finally, please consider signing up for my email list. I won't bug you, promise! But I'll look forward to reaching out only when there's news to share. As a Thank You, I'll send you a sneak peek of "DARE," my newest work-in-progress. Feel free to stay in touch. Would love to hear from you. Best...
"Forks & Knives" is a fictional autobiography – or an autobiographical fiction. I wrote the rough draft sometime around 2003, as a l-o-n-g journal entry, a cathartic release. Writing helped me work through the mental roadblocks that defined my rocky first marriage and its ultimate demise.
The finished document sat inside my computer, unread, for seventeen years. By the time I revisited it in 2021, the dust had long since settled on that part of my life, yet, the emotions and experiences were as vivid as ever.
Now, the raw, unfiltered words of the past have morphed into a presentable work of fiction that weaves a tale of heartbreak and the profound "what-ifs" that linger at the crossroads of our lives.
Join me as I share behind-the-scenes anecdotes, musings on storytelling, and random thoughts that visit me in the middle of the night.
Connect with support organizations that inspire hope and healing on your journey toward self-discovery and recovery. The more we learn, the more we know.
Sign up for my mailing list to unlock a sneak peek of "DARE," my sophomore novel. Don't miss out on the chance to dive into the story before the world does!
Made with love by structure & heart studios
"Forks & Knives" was born as part of a long journal entry, a cathartic release. In 2003, despite being happily married to my second husband, insomnia visited me regularly. My brain pushed and pulled, working through hurtful and confusing memories that defined the rocky journey of my first marriage and its ultimate demise. The finished document sat inside my computer, unread, for seventeen years.
When I retired in 2021, I revisited the document, hesitantly. “Is this worth reworking into a novel? Would anyone care about this?” I asked my best friend, my husband Stephen, to read it. Bonus for me: He taught American literature for more than twenty-five years (!), so I knew I could trust his opinion. Happily, he confirmed, “Yes, it’s good. You should work on it.” Then he introduced me to Brian Kaufman (www.authorbriankaufman.com) and Penpointers, the Northern Colorado writer’s group that Stephen had belonged to years before I met him. Over the next year and a half, my self-focused monologue transformed into a work of fiction that would appeal to people outside my immediate circle of friends and family. At least that’s my hope.
Whenever I mention what this book is about, I'm invariably met with, "Yeah, my mom was a drinker," or "My son was sober for a while, but . . ." There are millions of stories like mine out there -- people who have loved/lived with alcoholics/addicts and struggled to hold on through the pain. But there are ways we can help and support those we love without losing ourselves. This novel alone can't help those still working through those dark days, but maybe some of the resources here can play a role.
