I have always had a love for writing as far back as I can remember. I wrote my first full-blown novel at age 11 about a horse named Thunder and when I found the manuscript as a 21 year old woman, I wrinkled my nose and laughed at all ten pages! Ever since I have written six novels (real 300-500 paged ones!), one is in the works to being submitted to a list of agents (wish me luck).

I love writing romance for the young adult audiences with fantasy, science fiction, historical and paranormal elements. (Not all four together though it might prove interesting and really strange!) Maybe I should try?

I must admit that it isn’t an easy thing to write with kids underfoot. I have kept (not so easy I confess) a schedule to write at my own expense–when the kids are abed. I do my very best to go to sleep at a decent hour, too.

Anyway, thank you for giving me an opportunity to de-lurk myself and for your wonderful insight in the Industry, I really appreciate all you do!

We also have, at the moment, two Rat terriers, a mom and daughter duo, and two cats, unrelated. Most of the time, not even friends, but they do seem to be improving since we moved out the the big house to a really tiny apartment. All of us but the eldest, who finally grew up enough to leave our cozy nest. Okay, it’s a bit cramped, but hey, cozy sounds–well, cozy! It’s supposed to be temporary . . . but if the boys move out any time before we find a better place, maybe not.

I, too, ride bikes. My son, Tristen and I want to try those Trikkes this year, if we can. Really, I’d rather be riding a horse, but I no longer have any, and it’s so expensive to rent one around here. So I make sure they show up in most of my stories. We also get together regularly at my in laws house to play card games or dominoes with everyone. We all love to eat, although my family have finally embraced a more healthy diet. I’ve lost a nice bit of weight since, and am hoping to drop just a bit more before the fifth–when my sisters and brother all come together for our annual reunion, which we’ve been doing since ’98 . . . the year our parents passed away.

I started writing in the fifth grade and just kept going. Got my first story published when I was 21. My first book when I was 51. Wasn’t the wonderful experience one hopes for, so, I decided to try the DIY method. Can’t say I’m living off my writing yet, but I have made more money from my stuff than from the traditional way. Actually any sales I got from the first book were ones I generated myself. One of those long sad stories, and I won’t bore you by relating it. I guess, even though I know I won’t hit anyone’s best seller list, I have enjoyed trying to self publish. Bought my block of ISBNs, and will shortly need to buy another small block. I’ve done them as eBooks for now. Print will come as I can fit it into our meager budget. Actually, moving into the apartment might finally bring that chance to me. Less expensive to live here . . . and it would be nice to publish for any sort of profit at long last.

Even though . . .

I write mostly fiction–yes, I know. No one buys it. Mine, anyway . . . But, it’s what I feel I do best. Contemporary romance of the sweet variety, and stuff for kids and teens. A photo picture book is being redesigned, too. When I can detect what I’m an “expert” at, I’ll try my hand at non fiction. We’ll see.

I also do my own website design and such. Yes, true, it leaves less time for my real love, writing . . . but, well, it’s just become rather addictive! Designing an eBook is similar, so I’ve gotten deep into that, too. I keep promising myself that THIS WEEK I’ll write! Good thing I know better than to believe me! Seriously, though, I have a half dozen or so books in various stages of development that are all crying for my attention, and about as many or more that are trying to make me abandon _those_ and write _them_. Have websites to tweak and others to get started and uploaded. Today, I’m here trying to make myself get used to my new home office. My muses seem to have run dry since we moved.

Got a fairly nice view out this big bay window, I must say. Not spectacular, but nice . . . and since we’re on the second floor, a vantage point from which to watch the world go by. Which can be distracting as well as inspiring! I do need to get more organized, but that will come with time. Stuff is still in boxes piled halfway up the walls . . . Stuff still to bring here or give away or store or sell or . . . toss into a bonfire!

There’s a story even in all of that drudgery, I just know it. Now if only I could glue the seat of my pants to the seat of my chair.

If only I could find the glue.

It’s in one of those boxes over there . . . I think!

I am a member of many writing, self publishing and eBook forums and groups. I mainly lurk on the group lists–, but am fairly active on the forums. Not lately, because of our recent move–and because I am a receptionist for one of my friends H&R Block offices. (Was hoping that would give me the funds to afford some promo for my stuff, but, alas, it all went into getting the apartment and other stuff we needed.) Anyway, it feels nice to have taken the time to actually write something, and to share a slice of life with others who love writing or reading books.

My book was in the E-Shops program and has sold 5000+ copies and has gotten many very strong and insightful reviews.

I belive that is why I was early on the list for removing the “buy” button by Amazon. The logic being that I would be anxious to get back on Amazon and would thus take their new Advantage contract.

Which I will, it is like the crap game everybody knows is crooked, but it is the only game in town.

In addition, authors on the web are acquiring new skills. We are starting to think in terms of multi-media effects due to the influence of surfing experiences. The manner in which the words appear on the page (HTML coding), non-linear (embedded hot links), visual (graphics, borders, backgrounds), music (wav, mp3 files) and so on, have an almost subliminal effect. We spend hours in front of a computer screen, researching and interacting with literally hundreds of people worldwide on a daily basis. All these experiences cannot help but affect the way authors will write in the future.

In an interview in 2003, I said “in two or three years, you will never be lost because your cell phone will have a built-in GPS (global positioning system). You will be able to download info to your cell phone, PDA or other hand-held device from the Internet at DSL speeds.” Continued advances in technology will open up the ebook market to millions of new readers. The publishers who are able to stay the course will reap the benefits.

I think we have something in common: I make career decisions in large part by looking at what will help make the publishing community better, and small publishers in particular more successful.

Glad to have you in my community!

By education, I am a registered dietitian. My interests have taken me to being published by a disability publisher, self-publishing, and publishing/editing for a nonprofit organization. The reason I do it is to give others tools. If we don’t share, then we risk continuously reinventing the wheel.

I love to ride my bicycle. I’ve not been on it as much as I like in the past year due to career changes. But I love the feeling of being in shape, the wind in my hair, and riding along very scenic areas. I don’t like riding to commute – I do it for the release. I can ride hours and hours happily as long as I keep the rest of life in balance. What gets in the way? the “to do lists.”

I have a novel that wishes to come out, but seem to be best at writing helpful articles and books.

Thanks for doing this.

I’m a married and have two kids. One is four and the other is one and a half. I love them at this age, and they both give me endless joy. We live in Texas, where I have a communications staff position at a university. My wife is a microbiologist at a local hospital.

Four years ago I joined with some friends to create an ebook design studio, which has since grown into a small ebook publishing venture. Today we have three imprints in addition to the primary brand. Nobody out of our small hobby will have heard of us.

I was one of those kids who just couldn’t get enough to read. Today family life and my moonlight publishing venture has slowed down my reading habits, but I still love a good sci-fi or fantasy adventure. One of these days when I walk away from running an ebook business, I’ll return to writing fiction.
[lurking re-engaged]