I hold a BS in geology. Writing lured me away from finishing my thesis in (bioarchaeology) anthropology. Archaeology just dislikes the way we authors misconstrue fact. But the sacriledge is so enjoyable. Still, there's nothing like scratching around in the dirt looking for fossils or potsherds. I'm so detail-oriented that I suffer from an adrenaline rush when told to make a map. I guess the easiest way to describe myself is as a person who finds nature incredibly pleasing and intriguing. The same about reconstructing human prehistory and history. Yes, I am certifiably geek.
I have been a member of Romance Writers of America over 5 years. I'm a member of From The Heart and FF&P RWA chapters.
I have a toddler who runs my schedule. Good thing I've got a few manuscripts socked away. My husband dotes on me. I've always been able to do whatever I wanted. Hence, my history of being on permanent vacation in graduate school.
I guess I should say what writers/authors always say: I wrote in junior high and high school. It's funny how I forgot I wrote fiction back then. But when I remembered in 2001, I jumped back on the wagon and it's California or Bust ever since. I love to write. I can write for 14 hrs 7 days a week. I forget everything and sit with a laptop. I worried I had lost my mind. But the baby took care of the worst part of the addiction.
M.M. Kaye, Lillian Beckwith, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell K. Hamilton, Karen Marie Moning, and Jennifer Roberson are some of my favorite authors. I loved James Axler's THE DEATHLANDS.
I'm probably listening to bagpipes now... If not, I might be playing a bit of Nordic fiddle, Tuvanese, Native American flute, Gregorian Chant, anything with a middle eastern flavor, or panpipes. I tend to like anything with words I can't understand. The voice is an incredible instrument. I find it at its best when I am clueless to the meaning of the words.