Look and Listen

Biography

I spent nine years in a Catholic seminary and monastery. Then I trained as a psychologist and worked professionally as one for thirty-six years. I started writing short stories for fun in the 1980's and then began a newsletter for my psychology practice. This developed into a newspaper column on commonsense wisdom topics which I still write. My first book was a collection of reflections, mostly based on my columns. I had so many questions about my years in the seminary and monastery that I decided to write a memoir about my experiences there. In response to the abuse crisis among priests, I wrote a novel about a priest in search of redemption. After my divorce, I am now completing a novel about a couple's efforts to keep their marriage together. I am currently working on a book of reflections for teens, based on their own thoughts.

Inspiration

Nature has always inspired me. I love the moods of the oceans from their tranquility at sunrise to their raging storms. I also have a fascination with lighthouses and sailboats. I would live in either one if I could. I love sunrises and sunsets and have taken more photos of them than anything else. Trees also inspire me and I love to paint them (on paper that is). People who know how to listen inspire me as do people who share their talents with others. Music inspires me and I usually listen to it while I am writing. Finally, good writing inspires me, especially that of John Updike, Mark Twain and John Irving.