My Writer Bio

*Last updated on 5/19/10

While growing up, there was nothing I enjoyed more than sitting next to my mom or dad as they read a story to me. As an only child and child of divorce, my imagination was my escape. The calling to put my stories on paper was so strong, unlike most children I never wavered with what I wanted to do. I always knew fiction writing was my purpose in life.

By the age of seven, I read and wrote daily, and longed to see a hard copy of my work. So, my mom binded Henry the Hippo together and made copies for my family. I proudly held my "book" and vowed that one day I would have a real book in stores.

I wrote every day--whether it be at restaurants, in the car, or waiting for my parents at a store. I also created a group called The Writers Club with a couple of my friends. But, at the age of twelve, I attended a writers workshop and learned how difficult it is to get published. I also discovered broadcast journalism, which seemed more attainable. I decided that would be my career to pay the bills and I would write during my free time.

In high school I focused on building my resume as a broadcast journalist. Creative writing took a backseat. Although I was editor of my school's literary magazine, most of my writing during that time was non-fiction. My work was published in our local newspaper, but I felt my niche was full-length fiction and knew I wouldn't be satisfied until readers could walk into a bookstore and buy my work. I wanted to provide an escape and touch lives, as books had done for me.

While broadcasting was my major in college (and I hosted a campus television talk show for three years), English was my minor. I wrote for my college magazine and had several articles published in a newspaper where I interned for two summers, but most of all I loved attending my creative writing classes.

After graduation, I worked full-time as a television reporter, and realized that the grueling schedule was not compatible with writing. Odd hours, long hours, and exhausting hours left me with absolutely no free time or energy. Even though I'd wanted to be a TV reporter/anchor since I was twelve, I knew I could never be a successful fiction writer if I continued on that path. I had to choose one or the other. There was no doubt where my passion and heart had always been and would always be. Even though it would have been easier and more accepted by others to stay, I left the world of television.

In 2003, I got married, moved to a new state, and was hired as a radio host. Meanwhile, my husband and I bought our first house in 2004, our first of two dogs in early 2005, and went through many other major life events. By May 2005 I wondered whether I should save writing for my retirement.

But fate stepped in. The same month that I considered giving up, I attended my half-brother's high school graduation. There, I met his aunt, a best selling romance novelist. She told me that I must join a writers group--if it wasn't for that she never would have gotten published. We spoke for awhile and exchanged e-mail addresses. I sent her samples of my work and she shared with me her writing journey. It had taken her seven years, and she felt there was no reason why I couldn't be published as well. Her words of encouragement gave me the motivation and inspiration that I needed.

That fall I joined the national organization that helped her get published: Romance Writers of America, as well as my local chapter. I learned more than I could have imagined! I was immediately educated on all of the "rules" to getting published, I understood what I'd been doing wrong, and I immersed myself with everything I could to improve.

In April 2006, thanks to my husband's awesome support, I quit my job at the radio station to be a full-time writer. I began work on a romance novel. A couple of months later the book was completed. After another two months of editing, I submitted the manuscript to Harlequin. Like most first-time authors, my novel didn't make the final cut; however, having an editor actually consider my manuscript allowed me to receive PRO status within the RWA. (For two years I also served as photographer and librarian for my local chapter.) I knew that the drive inside of me came from God and that He would direct me to the right book and publisher when the time was right.

In January 2007, with the help of a critique group, I started a new love story which I submitted in May to Harlequin Everlasting Love.  I was thrilled when the executive editor expressed interest in publishing my work! Unfortunately, then Harlequin decided to discontinue publishing any future books for the Everlasting line!

On the bright side, my husband and I welcomed our first son during the spring of 2008. We also moved into a new home and I became a paid online freelance writer, about issues regarding pregnancy and motherhood.

In October 2009 I decided not to renew my membership with the RWA - but I plan to return in the future. I'm confident that someday I will have a book in stores!