My parents gifted me with a love of language early. As a result, my connection to the written word runs deep and has become an integral part of who I am today. Though my early writing centered on marketing materials, I've transitioned into fiction, dedicating my post-retirement days to crafting stories.
"Forks & Knives" is my debut novel. I’m thrilled it found a publishing home with Black Rose Writing (out of Texas). On August 22, 2024, it became available for purchase on Amazon (e-books and paperback), as well as Barnes & Noble and Walmart online (paperback only).
In early September 2024, I submitted my second novel to Black Rose Writing for consideration. I'm hoping "DARE" will find a happy publishing home with them to keep my first book company. And now, I've turned my attention to Book #3! I guess I really have to call myself a writer now, though the label still seems bigger than I feel.
I'm learning so much on this writing journey and loving every step of the process. I hope you'll check out my Blog page to follow along. And if you read and like "Forks & Knives," adding your review to my listings on Amazon and Goodreads (as well as Barnes & Noble and BookBub) is so helpful. Thank you in advance!
My parents were both self-educated, neither having completed college. Nevertheless, they were passionate about the precision of language and the joy of storytelling. They were avid readers and theater aficionados: actors, directors, production/stage managers, and my mom was a theater critic. (Her reviews were published scores of times in the Poughkeepsie Journal in my hometown in New York.)
I grew up in a constant state of embarrassment as my parents corrected my friends’ grammar: “It’s whom, not who.” “Use lay as the past tense of lie, but the past tense of lay is laid.” I rolled my eyes, but I learned.
Before writing this first book, my primary writing experience was marketing-related: newsletters, press releases, brochures, and promotional articles that appeared in local newspapers or on company websites. I also dabble in intense journaling and essay musings, documents I never expect to leave the confines of my hard drive. Fiction is a new challenge, and I'm loving it. Lots to learn!
I was able to retire early from “real work,” and I now devote a good deal of my week to writing. My husband is also retired (high school English and journalism teacher) and working on his own first novel, a crime drama. Our four children are grown and independent (Amen!), and our parents are at peace with no need for our daily attention. I’m a member of a Northern Colorado writers' group called Penpointers, and I’m currently working on a THIRD work of fiction. My second book, "DARE," is with my publisher now...I'm awaiting word that they will publish it. (Fingers crossed!)
When I’m not reading or writing, I enjoy scrapbooking, traveling (Italy is a favorite destination), and silly trips to Las Vegas (Blackjack, Roulette, and betting on the ponies). Other fun activities include managing my fantasy football team (I’m a Patrick Mahomes fan despite living in Colorado – sshhh!), relaxing evenings with friends and family, and spending time – doing anything - with our kids and grandson Theo.
Do the right thing, and you’ll always be able to look at yourself in the mirror.
You are the architect of your own life. Keep your options open. Loving someone means trying to make his/her life better.
I try to live with gratitude for all the blessings I have and compassion for others who are less fortunate. I believe that self-improvement is a worthy lifelong goal. And authenticity is important to me – honoring my values by living with integrity, saying what I mean and meaning what I say.
I was a perfect parent before I had children. (!!)
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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.
