The power of storytelling has been a factor in my life from the moment I took my first breath. My parents always took the time to read to us, and often created their own bedtime stories to keep my little brother and me entertained. Growing up, we had books in every room of the house. Today, it seems I carry on the family tradition, even keeping books in my car. (It’s a great way to make lines move faster. The minute you pick up a book to read a paragraph or two, the line moves and you have to put the novel down!)
In my teenage years, my girlfriends and I loved to make up stories about our favorite crushes. I took to writing these fantasies out for us, and it was great fun and the habit became pretty popular, until we were found out and embarrassed greatly!
A few years ago, my Mom and Dad encouraged me to take a creative writing class. I was a goner from then on. I became active in my local writing community and ended up serving in my local writing organization, in various offices. Now, I am a member in 2 active critique groups. I take part in as many writer’s workshops as my time and budget allows. I've made so many friends!
A couple of times, I had the opportunity to work as a published author’s assistant, where my duties included constructing and maintaining a website, a mailing list and organizing book tours and publicity. I have also worked as a book reviewer, contributing to many book review and reader sites as well as Romantic Times Magazine.
Oh, yeah, there IS the day job. I have been a Cosmetologist for 23 years! Oh, the research material to be found in a beauty salon. Whoo-wee! Watch out folks, I’m takin’ notes.
I love to read. as a matter of fact, I can’t remember a time I couldn’t read. I learned, so my Mom and Granny say, at my local shopping mall (yes, they trained me in those fine arts as well.) Granny delights in telling the story of how when I was a preschooler, she would spread out all the price tags and I could read them correctly. After pop quizzes involving J.C Penney’s and Woolworth et cetera, See Spot Run was a breeze. And that’s all the stories about me from Granny about this spoiled chick you are going to get. But I have LOTS of stories I could tell about my younger brother….
Seriously though, a big influence in my life is my parents. As I said, both took the time to read to us, and often. They always had books in their hands. So take my advice–read to your kids and support their dreams! My Daddy is gone now, but I thank him and my Mom (who still finds and shares great authors with me) for encouraging us in our education and telling us we can do whatever we set our minds to.
Come visit me at some of the other sites I procrastinate on!
http://desperatewriter.wordpress.com
http://www.myspace.com/anonyred
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=589927677
http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A37G5WW0X63C2L/102-2191525-6178510
http://www.google.com/notebook/public/04339729360710954782/BDQTaSwoQ7J7u6LMi
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