Look and Listen

Biography

My original goal was to sing in Broadway musicals. Came close, but no cigar. A missed opportunity I sometimes regret. Did a lot of community theater and sang in many churches; was a den mother while I worked two jobs so my son could be a cub scout. Same reason I'm a group leader for The Florida Writers Association--we needed a chapter in my county and this was my ticket in. And I love it. Had the story building inside my brain for thirty years. I actually thought I was too far out. I'm married, mother of four, grandmother of five, and believe It's Never Too Late to follow your dream.

Inspiration

Louisa May Alcott kindled the flame that set me on my course. With the gift of my first books, I was hooked. I began to write in third or fourth grade. A lifelong fascination with the 19th century and the real house on Slocum Road, (it IS real, you know) inspired the novel. It belonged to my uncle and I visited often when I was a child. I would sneak up the curving stairs to snoop in the spooky unused rooms. I remember the empty cradle, and the bookcase filled with antique volumes.I loved playing the antique spinet (although it was forbidden). The Civil War subplot was inspired by a segment of the Antiques Roadshow. Ideas come from everywhere.

Writing for me is creating an alternate world; perhaps the one I live in has not always been the realization of a dream. In writing, I can make the world I want, create the people I like and do things on paper I could never do in real life. Well, almost. When my youngest daughter decided she wanted to participate in the American Diabetes Rome Marathon in 2001, I set out to help her. We needed $8000 in contributions for her to be able to go, all expenses paid. (Lissa has been a diabetic for almost thirty years. She's end-stage renal disease now). With only four months to do it, my husband and I embarked upon a course that gave me sleepless nights, broke my bank, but we threw the grandest party of our lives and have the video to prove it. A Sweetheart Ball. I never thought I could. Yet my husband reminded me, "Lottie did it." Lottie is my protagonist, and it's true, she organized a charity ball. It was wonderful. Nicole Johnson, Miss America of 1999, and herself a diabetic, was our spokesperson. I learned you can do a lot of things you never thought you could, even in the autumn of your life. I became a writers group leader--who expected that? But what fulfillment. Organizing conferences, creating an e-zine for other writers to showcase their work. . .It is rewarding and uplifting. Do drop by for a visit--sit down, have a cup of something and read fabulous articles by equally fabulous writers. Send something of your own. Visit: http://mysite.verizon.net/resockeb/e-zine. Join us at The Infinite Writer.