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I knew I wanted to be a writer as soon as I learned what a book was. Getting a library card, for me, was as exciting as going to Disneyland - maybe better. Reading was fun but then I discovered writing! Ah, that was where the magic happened. Creating my own world and having total control over it - it was the stuff any shy awkward little kid dreamed of. In grammar school, I wrote stories about kittens and puppies. In high school, I wrote about unrequited love. With a fellow classmate, I rewrote Pride and Prejudice as a stage play and even talked one of the nuns into letting us perform it for our class.
Just before graduation from high school, I wrote an episode for Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, a television show popular at that time. Even though I was only seventeen, I managed to obtain an agent from Samuel French, Inc. (he had no clue I wasn't old enough to sign a contract if he sold the script!). My script made it all the way to 20th Century Fox Studios and that rejection letter is still one of my most prized possessions.
I wanted to be a journalism major in college, but my guidance counselor talked me out of it. Back then, nursing or teaching were the only professions women were encouraged to pursue. So, my dream of becoming a writer was put on hold for the next few - make that many - years as life took precedence. Now that life has settled down, I have found that the urge to write won't let me be and I have once again put my pencil to paper.
My first journey into publication took the shape of a health newsletter for Baby Boomers that I started in 1997 with a friend but it wasn't a success. I think we were ahead of our time. Boomers just weren't ready to look at their health back then.
But that didn't stop me. My next venture was online and I was fortunate to publish several medical and health-related articles, even having my own monthly health column at one point. I eventually branched out into print magazines.
But making up stories has always been my first love. I knew I wanted to write fiction. I started playing a game of 'what-if' one day with an idea that had been rolling around my mind and the seeds for Second Chance started to sprout. I drew on my own emotional experience as a second wife and stepmother while giving Sara, the protagonist, her voice.
Writing novels is what I want to do. I am happiest when I am placing my characters in difficult situations and then letting them guide me out of them. I always try to include a relevant topic from today as well. My second novel, written with co-author Joyce Norman, is the story of a young film-maker and who falls in love with an orphan baby boy in Brazil and attempts to bring him home to the United States. It is a story somewhat reminiscent of today's headline story although our book is set in the 1980's and was influenced by a true story as well.
My last book was a different turn for me - a memoir. My husband died suddenly and unexpectedly in May 2010. Losing him was the worst thing that has ever happened to me and my journey since then has been life-changing. My need to know he was all right and still with me drove me in a direction I never anticipated. I have wonderful loving memories of our physical life together but now I also have learned that love never dies. It is transformed and we can continue relationships with our loved ones after they have transitioned. I explain my experiences in I Will Never Leave You.
I have just published a 4th book - No Other Choice. It is a romance that tries to answer the question "What if the true love of your life left you and then returned many years later?" Could you pick up where you left off? Would you want to?
I am already hard at work on my next book - a fun tale involving reincarnation.
In my "spare" time, I read every chance I get. And I also take care of my little fur family: goldendoodle Bella, and marmalade kitties Riley, Chaz, and Sean. Riley even has his own blog! Check it out to see what he and his buddies have gotten into recently. http://rileycollins.blogspot.com/
Thank you for stopping by.
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