For
those of you who are curious, I offer the following. Yes, I know a
bio should be written in third person. But I wanted to speak
to you in a one-on-one mode---as if we were sitting together and chatting
. . . So here goes!
My
passion for writing began soon after I became a Christian at the tender
age of twelve. High school and college newspapers gave me my first
opportunities for publication. I loved interviewing people
and writing those news stories.
The
year before my college graduation, I married my real life handsome
hero, Jim. Marriage and later raising our two sons took center stage
so that years passed before I again pursued publication.
Turning
immediately
to the romantic suspense genre, I discovered writing fiction required
a great deal of learning and growing on my part. I began to steep
myself in Christian writing conferences and correspondence courses.
In addition, I studied and attempted what the many books and magazines
on writing and marketing taught. I also helped to start Word &
Pen Christian Writers Club in Wisconsin's Fox Valley area and acted
as director of its two writers' seminars.
While
continuing to learn about writing fiction, I wrote articles for Christian
magazines, and devotional manuscripts for The Quiet Hour. For
ten years, I penned my monthly devotional column for Together In
Faith which we called "Love With Shoes On." For five
years, I also wrote the "Market News" column for American
Christian Fiction Writers' e-zine.
What
a thrill in 1999 when one of my profile articles took 6th Place in
the Inspirational Category of the Writer's Digest Writing
Competition! This piece became my first cover article when published
in the May 2000 issue of The Christian Communicator, an excellent
national magazine for writers and speakers.
Currently,
I've seen almost 300 of my manuscripts find publication in newsletters,
magazines, newspapers and anthologies. Most recently, this included
book reviews in Wisconsin Christian News.
In
2004, the Lord opened a speaking ministry which allowed me to share
biblical truths about real love in women's daily relationships. I
also taught workshops for Christian writers. Though I don't know what
the year 2008 holds, during 2007, he enabled me to speak at far more
women's and writers' events than the previous year.
Through
my friend, Andrea Boeshaar, I became a member of Wisconsin Fellowship
of Christian Authors and enjoyed helping to organize the 2007 "Celebrating
the Word" Christian Writer's Conference. I also participated
in our group book signings.
These
days I write occasional articles but focus on my long-time
dream of becoming a published Christian romantic suspense novelist.
Whatever happens . . . to God be the glory!
