ABOUT THE AUTHOR – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!!
How do you come up with Ideas for your Stories and Books?
I have been told to write on what you know. I find this is excellent advice. I started writing as a child and actually got a poem published in the local paper in the 9th grade! I have written articles for many years and have been published in magazines including Hearing Loss, Partners Forum, and various newsletters. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 I became serious about my writing and published my first book on my hearing ear dog in the form of a picture book. Sita was so popular I decided to write a devotional. My cancer journey impacted me so deeply I wrote the book on cancer. Now I want to publish a book on growing up deaf. I like the nonfiction realm and am more comfortable with it.
I have been asked how I come up with ideas on my blogs. I always say a higher power is guiding my pen. I also find that I need to write the idea down as soon as it comes to me because later I forget. Everyone has a different style.
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WHAT IS THE WRITING PROCESS YOU USE?
I try to visit other authors and their presentations as often as possible. Several of them tell me they do all their writing on the computer. This is not the best way for me. I like to use cursive writing. It seems to stimulate me more if I write down my stories on paper and then put them into the computer. I also love to go to local coffee shops, restaurants, outdoor patios, and other venues with Sita and write a hard copy before I come home and type the article or chapter into the computer.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT WRITING FOR YOU?
Usually I would say revising and revising. I love the creative side more than the boring and repetitive correcting. However, I am learning to enjoy watching my stories get stronger and better with each revision. I have to say the book I am working on presently is the hardest. This is because I am writing about how lonely and disengaged I was growing up with a disability. It brings back terrible memories and I understand now why many people choose not to write about themselves. But I feel the story needs to be told.
YOU HAVE HAD SEVERAL CAREERS BEFORE YOU WENT INTO FREELANCE WRITING. EXPLAIN HOW THIS HAPPENED
I always thought I would be a librarian my entire life and retire with a nice pension. I chose to become a librarian becasue I love books and people. I received my first master’s in library science. After being a children’s librarian, children’s consultant, assistant director and director at various libraries for 19 years, I was bored. I love working with the deaf and people with disabilities. I went back to school at Kent State University and obtained another master’s and doctorate in counseling. I did counseling in both public and private venues for another 17 years. I always loved teaching and have taught at three different universities since 1986. My last career was accidental. I was forced to retire from teaching because of my cancer and turned to the one career I always wanted – writing. So each career flowed into the next. All my library skills, counseling skills and teaching skills have been reflected in my writing. I tell people that now I teach on a much larger level!
WHEN YOU ARE NOT WRITING WHAT ELSE DO YOU ENJOY!
I love to travel and try to take cruises as often as I can! I enjoy sports and am a die hard Cleveland and Ohio State Buckeyes fan. I love to read almost any genre and belong to a fantastic book club. I have a great family and many friends and go out to plays, restaurants, travel and to each other’s houses all the time. I also love to watch some television shows including stories about medical, law and mysteries. There are just not enough hours in the day.
DO YOU DO PROGRAMS ON YOUR BOOKS!
I do and I love it! Hardly a month goes by I am not doing a book signing or program somewhere. Just ask me!