My greatest joy of writing is first feeling the emotion of the character in my story and then reliving that feeling as my readers tell me of their experience with the character. My writing, whether it is a letter or a novel, is always intended to connect at a deeper level with the person it was intended for.

I have two books right now that are being conceptualized and outlined. One is being co-authored by my stepdaughter, Katherine. I refer to her as my stepdaughter as our book is about blending families. However, my steps, in-laws, grands...they are all just my children, with no exception.

Jacqueline Briskin has always been a favorite of mine. I love the way she entwined true history with a fictional story line that makes you want to google what is real and what isn't. Paloverde was my all-time favorite book. I also enjoy the work of Anita Diamant. And my editor writes a lovely story of love and self awareness, Pamela S. Thibideaux. We also share some homegrown roots in southern Louisiana, so I enjoy those glimpses of my childhood in her writing.

Who says I get out of bed each day?! This is a funny question for me because I have a condition called lymphedema in my right leg. It was caused from the removal and treatment of lymph nodes from a cancer over twenty years ago. So, I actually do quite a bit of my writing from bed.
Having said that, I feel blessed to have been given every single day I have. I love life. I don't see myself as a victim to an illness. I am a survivor and my life has been enriched by the lessons I have learned through my set of circumstances.

My husband and I love to attend Indiana Pacers games. I travel to New Orleans quite often to spend time with my family there. And I have a son and grandson in Central Florida, so I get down there a few times a year too. I'm on the road a lot. I love animals and often in my travels I will rescue a pup and rehome it across the country. there is nothing like the feeling of seeing these little guys come to life with a family that loves them.

Well, I love manuals and instruction guides! It's one of my favorite things about getting a new car is to read the manual from cover to cover. So, I start with plenty of research. Everything has to make sense in my mind. I organize and reorganize until I feel like the writing will flow. My first chapter is always the hardest. After that, things seem to come to life in my mind's eye and keep on going until The End.

It wasn't the first story I ever read but I was very young when I read John Donovan's PT 109. I remember the assassination of President Kennedy and this book turned this iconic figure into a real man to me. I experienced grief in a different way than I had when the assassination took place. I think it was a great lesson for me to become aware at a young age that we are all human and perfectly imperfect.