Describe your desk
My desk, like me, is a worn but fairly stable vessel cluttered with bits and pieces of what was, what is, and what may yet be. A Habitat for Humanity cup holds objects for writing, cutting, editing, and drawing. A storyteller doll, two onyx fetishes, a bear and a turtle, and obsidian pieces found at Tent Rocks, are memories of my twenty years in New Mexico. A stack of books, some to be read again, some for the first time, all treasures and peaceful diversions from a busy, cyber-based existence. Post-it-notes to supplement a constantly tested memory. A variety of notebooks that keep thoughts and images from slipping into oblivion. A cup of coffee, pale with cream, atop circular stains from dozens of predecessors. It is, at times, where I create my characters, and at other times, where my characters create me.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I didn't start writing mysteries until 2004. I was 53 and overwhelmed by the political and social climate. I wanted a distraction. Since I loved to read mysteries, I thought I'd try my hand at writing one. That was almost 10 years ago, and I haven't stopped. Nor have I lost any of the passion I felt early on. Writing opens me to all the possibilities of the universe. That's a strong statement, but true to the core of my being. Writing helps me listen better. It forces me to become aware of the possibilities that lie beyond my limited view of the world. It nurtures my humanity. Does it get any better than that?
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