: About Me

I started journaling as a child and was encouraged to pursue writing as a career by a fabulous middle school teacher.

In high school, I was one of the founding editors of our student newspaper, and I realized that, while I enjoyed storytelling, somehow it was more energizing for me to help others share their stories by conducting interviews and writing articles.

At Auburn University, I pursued my journalism degree with a vengeance. Truly, writing was - and is - in my blood! My internship with a (now-defunct) Georgia daily newspaper gave me real-world experience and allowed me to find the niche where I excelled: personal pieces and feature articles.

Marriage, children and the obligations that come with it required that I pursue other work, but I always found a way to work writing into my job descriptions. I worked for a time in the medical field, and created in-house publications that were used to improve communications with the company's numerous locations throughout the United States.

I spent six years working for a national non-profit organization as a community special events director. Again, I was able to use my writing experience to create scripts, themes, advertising and direct mail pieces for the advancement of our message. We were highly successful throughout the late 1990s, and I truly enjoyed that period of my life.

Reading the newspaper one Sunday morning, I found a dream job as an events director for an active adult (new homes) developer. I worked closely with the sales and marketing director and the sales teams to create memorable events for new and prospective homeowners.

I also re-worked the company's monotone monthly newsletter, creating an exciting full-color magazine packed with useful information and testimonials (feature pieces!) about the various communities.

After two years, the Sales & Marketing Director formed her own company, and I followed. Three years into the project, I advanced to Marketing Director for the company (in addition to making a mark as a real estate sales professional). One of our ad campaigns won national recognition for its design and content, and I am proud to have been one of the team of three people who created that campaign.

I also have been active as a freelance writer for a series of local magazines, as well as for the local Homebuilders Association. With the downturn in the real estate market, this has proven to be a saving grace, as I now am working exclusively as a freelance writer and marketing consultant.

This new path has allowed me to pursue another lifelong dream: writing a novel, which I hope to have completed and in the publishing process in 2009.

Over the years, I have found that my closest friends are those who also share my passion for writing. "Birds of a feather..." I suppose! We support each other's undertakings and enjoy sharing writing opportunities.

My husband and I often talk about what we're going to do in retirement. I told him that, as long as I can write, I don't plan to retire!

My passion is ...

making people feel good about themselves

I know too much about ...

other people's problems

My parents always told me ...

be happy - everything else will take care of itself!

My childhood ambition ...

to be a writer

My favorite memory ...

seeing my daughter for the first time

Why I write ...

it gives me a way to connect to the world, to other people

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

Eagle Eye Cherry - I love this cd!

My first job ...

babysitting

My best moment ...

seeing my byline as a NY Times syndicated writer

My inspiration ...

my children

Creative Writing > Flash Fiction Flash fiction: Fear of flying

1 of 3

Maybe it's the new reality of being herded, stripped of pride and shoes, through tiny portals in single-file, like cows to slaughter. Whatever the reason, I have an intense fear of flying. It wasn't always so. I was three or so when I took my first flight. How exciting it was to be strapped into the narrow seat and stare out the window at the scenery racing by as the plane accelerated down the runway. How I giggled when the nose of the plane lifted and the bottom dropped out of my tummy. Then the beverage cart came by and I was allowed to have an entire Coke all to myself! What led to my f...

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