Look and Listen

Biography

Dr. Phil says, there are about seven defining moments in one's life. Lemme tell you, I've hit all seven somewhere in mine. I have a wierd sense of humor. I am a social service advocate. Which is to say, whatever capacity I engaged, grass roots activist, writing community focus columns, gofer, working in a day shelter I managed to make people question their own dogmatic views--sometimes much to the chagrin of my superiors and family. Somewhere along the line, I turned to self query---whether I had become dogmatic and pedantic. The answer was yes. After suffering a few tragedies in my life, I realized I was compensating as many social service workers do. I was trying so desperately to prevent others from making my same mistakes, when I had not held myself accountable either. I retired from social service work in 2004, seeking to finally face my own personal "Dweller on the Threshold". No one said change is easy. And it's not over either. Writing "Sleeping Dogs Lie" as a novella was a chance to step into some uncharted waters. The characters are not unlike me--even the minor male characters. Each are an aspect of myself I was uncomfortable with, yet was willing to explore. Loss and gain, death and rebirth, rekindling one's own passion is a part of life. The rest is a sham. I'm currently working on an extended version of the novella for Young Adults, ages 16-19. I live in Tennesse, about 129 miles from Charlotte, NC, and only 11 miles from Asheville. Beautiful country. I live with my fiance and our cat, Banshee.

Inspiration

My inspiration comes from Life. I know, it sounds cliched, but it's true. I read anything and everything I can get my hands on. The most inspirational teachers in my life have been my children. They are my legacy. They reflect what I did or did not bother to teach them. Women. They reflect what I am putting out, and what I need to accept and correct within myself. They are my sisters, mothers, and daughters, regardless of blood tie. M. Scott Peck challenged me to face the 'other road', and realize it was not a damning situation, but one which brings me closer to opening my own personal connection with my Creator. It's all how I look at it.