Hallo, Grace here.

I actually have already forgotten how I stumbled on Helium a few short weeks ago; it has already become my home away from home and I have made some extremely close friends in an incredibly short period of time. I also am honored to be chosen as a sub-channel steward of Architecture here at Helium! I am also the leader of the Online Writers Collaborative.

I thought the 'scribbling' phase of my life was over, but I was wrong...I have tapped back into the well these past few days and discovered all over again why I love to write. I never expected to receive such generous praise and helpful insights - this is so much better than scrawling stuff in a notebook at 15 and having no-one to share it with!

It is a particular blessing to have a safe haven to explore so many things through my writing that hitherto had lain dormant but not forgotten - I have encountered none of the judgement or coldness I had feared; rather a wealth of compassion and the assurance that I am not alone.

I am amazed to find so many writers of such great caliber gathered together amicably under one roof, and must admit part of the reason I love it here so much is the outlet for my rapier sharp wit (ha,ha) and that no-one makes fun of me for using words like hitherto, dormant or compassion...

A special shout out to my mentor, Jim Bessey; Jim, the encouragement and support you have shown has stunned and touched me. Thank you.

My sister in spirit, Tonya; thank-you for being my friend!

Meg, you are simply a delight. Keep up the good work.

Diane, thanks for all the kind and wise words!

Kat, Missy, Jon, David, Tim, Alex, Pat, Theresa, Rob...I know I will leave some-one out...know I didn't mean to!

I am earning my living as a full time writer now, and I will always be grateful to Helium and the community of friends I have found here - without all of you, I never would have dared step off the ledge.

I love you guys, and only hope to give back a tenth of what I have gained here at Helium; you guys are Helium. Thank you so much.
-~Grace

My passion is ...

Reading

I know too much about ...

Children's books - notice the quotations in my work!

My parents always told me ...

You don't want to know....

My childhood ambition ...

To be a writer/equestrian/actor

My favorite memory ...

3 of them-seeing my kids for the first time!

Why I write ...

I can't help it! Esecially now, with all the Heliumites who cheer me on...

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Kim Harrison, The Tudors, Tenacious D(Jack Black)

My first job ...

Exercising horses

My best moment ...

Realizing I can actually make a living from writing. Wow.

My inspiration ...

My children,husband,life,friends...

Relationships & Family > Family Dysfunction Divorcing family members

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When people ask me about my past, I tell them I was raised by wolves. In a cave.

That usually gets a laugh, and deflects attention from the fact that I didn't answer the question. Truth is, I'm from the poor side of a major Texas city, and no, I don't go back to visit. Why? Because the people who were supposed to nurture and protect me hurt me badly, and I may never fully recover. You see, my folks were sadistic perverts - actually, make that perverted sadists. They enjoyed some pretty sick things, but simply causing pain was what defined them most.

I was born in 1974 to the tail-...

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