So I thought I’d hang onto the canned title above, just ’cause, you know, it’s rather apt!

Here’s my “official” writer’s bio, so you can get to know me a little better:

I started writing and drawing when I was very young; fairly quickly the drawing stalled out and I still have the artistic talent of an average five-year-old! Writing, however, has gotten me through a few harried moments, and a few dark times, and even some calm, relaxing days.

When I was eight, Gone With the Wind was showing at local movie theaters and I was dying to see it. My grandmother promised to take me – as soon as I read the book! I was pretty determined then (as now, although my family and friends are more likely to use the term “stubborn”, among others!) and so I read it, in hardback, all 1000+ pages. I’ve always loved the Old South and almost everything associated with it – later, when I began researching my family tree, I was hoping to discover ancestors who lived on a grand plantation. Alas – they were sharecroppers. So much for my youthful fantasy life!

In high school, prior to graduating a year early, I took every honors English and creative writing class available, as well as working on the school newspaper. I took summer courses in journalism, and seriously considered that as a college major. Unfortunately, due to various and sundry circumstances, I slogged through four majors and took roughly 20 years to finish college. Problem was, I really just couldn’t make up mind what to be when I grew up – then I discovered the wonderful concept of “interdisciplinary studies”!

My husband and I have been married almost twelve years; we each had two children at the time and now have one together. Their ages range from 28 down to 11 years old and, I might add, the second oldest made us grandparents a year and a half ago…still not sure how I feel about that! But it’s official now – she can talk and called me “Gamma” a couple weeks ago.

I grew up in the St. Louis, Missouri area and lived in central Missouri for fifteen years after that; when Dennis and I married, we moved to a small town in Missouri, then to Colorado, then Texas where we stayed put for eight years. I have to say, it’s nice to be back home in St. Louis – there are actually more than two seasons!

When I’m not here, you can find me (and some of my work) at Helium.