Tell us about yourself.:
My love for writing started in high school with a first-place award in a themed essay competition. Born with a hearing impairment and congenital abnormalities from rubella, I've always valued the power of the written word and developed recognition for speech patterns by learning musical instruments. My father encouraged her to pursue a degree in journalism and to keep writing no matter what.
I received a BFA in Dance Performance and Journalism from Southern Methodist University and completed two years’ post-graduate work at Stephen F. Austin State University. I wrote as a contributing editor for both school papers, area newspapers, and the regional magazine News of East Texas.
I was a member of Golden Triangle Writers League while writing in East Texas, helping form my hometown’s first writer critique group with romance author Mary Lynn Baxter and true-crime author Suzy Spencer.
In Arkansas, I wrote for community theater, staging and filming several independent projects including her stage comedy, “Garage Sale.” After receiving the Writer’s Digest 1999 Grand Prize, my winning short story “House Call” was selected for publication by William J. Grabowski, former book reviewer and interviewer for The Horror Show magazine. I published my first of seven books in 2001.
I also worked as a teaching assistant for Rich Mountain Community College’s film department while writing and collaborating on several screenplays under the management of the late Jeff Ross. Among them are Killing Grounds, a Writer’s Network 2000 Honorable Mention, and Grave Jumper, Fade-In magazine’s 2005 semi-finalist. My inspiration for Grave Jumper came from a composite of true crime reports by former Arkansas State Police Investigator Russell Welch, as well as Unraveled, Welch’s undercover exchange with runner Billy Bottoms regarding the investigation of Barry Seal.
After joining Round Rock Writers’ Guild near Austin, Texas, I began collaborating with indie authors as a ghostwriter, editor, and book formatter. I primarily consult and doctor fiction, blog, and screenplay material. I previously worked on contract with Upwork and James Innes Group, writing for clients across the globe on fiction and nonfiction projects, resume enhancement, and LinkedIn profile consultation. Genres I've written are YA, children’s, self-help, inspirational, spiritual, thriller, horror, fantasy, action-adventure, sci-fi, contemporary romance, self-help, technical, and academic.
I currently work as a remote freelance ghostwriter and editor for julierogersbooks.com, authorsassistant.com, and Edioak (New York) in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the setting of my seventh book, Falling Stars. I live there with my husband, Jim, a primary care physician, our furry children Madison, Kate, Sukie, and mollusks Dewey, Decimal, and System. I have one son, Seth, who works as a video game level designer in Austin.
I'm a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, the Editorial Freelancers Association, Association of Publishers for Special Sales, and Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in a small town in East Texas. Accelerated Senior English put spurs on our boots, and several in my graduating class were never the same!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing always goes better with Panera Bread.
What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in a small town in East Texas. Accelerated Senior English put spurs on our boots, and several in my graduating class were never the same!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be a consistent contributing member in a good writers' group.
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