Some of this story you'll find in my bio pages. Actually, you'll find a lot more of my story there. I was in the mood to share . . .

I have to confess that I get a lot of enjoyment in creating new worlds and new people. Some, after having lived in my head for so long, have become like my own kids. Yep, I've had to bite my lips when I hear other people talk about raising their twins or triplets, for For The Love Of Thomi is about a set of triplets who come from a family that has also two sets of twins and numerous singles. They've been a part of me for over twenty five years and their characters are pretty well defined. How real they feel at times! And their stories beg to be told.

With these and so many other ideas for other stories ramming around in my head, I cringe when I hear someone exclaim, "Hey, I've got a story for you to write!" Or---" You should write about my life. You'd make a fortune!"

Ooookaaay . . . If it's that good-- why aren't you writing it? Not that I'd mind making a fortune, mind you. I'd love to make a fortune . . . pay off all I owe, and just write my little brains out. Generally, I am told that well, these people don't know how to write-- or they don't have time to do it. Others say, "I've got really great ideas for stories, and I'd make a good writer!" kind of in a defensive way-- like I'm challenging their ability. Actually, they're jealous of my talent-- which is silly. I didn't get here by sitting around wishing I could write.

I wrote. All the time.

You are a writer if you actually sit down and write. I don't care how you put it down-- on paper, on screen, on toilet paper. If you write, you are a writer. Dont mater how bad yuo spel or punctuat   Writers write-- plain and simple. Don't let anyone say otherwise. And don't be put off by those who'll try to insult you by saying you're not a Real Writer because you're not published. Which happened to me-- right in front of a roomful of fourth graders. Yes, ma'am sir, the teacher had the thoughtlessness to say that, and to add that her friend-- a Real Writer-- had published several children's books. I actually was, at that time, a published author. Of short stories.

In any case, I wasn't there to lecture on how to be a publsihed writer of kids' books---although I did read a short story about an air hockey-playing cat to them . . . I was there to talk about the writing process itself. To encourage the kids to write. This teacher undermined my purpose by making it sound like I hadn't a clue of what I was talking about. She also took over the session and didn't let me say very much more after I'd read my story and took some questions from the kids. I didn't know how to handle that situation then. But I think that I would know now.

Only now, I am in her category of what a writer is. Published. She forgot that the creation part of it is the essential part of it all. Without a story, there is nothing to publish.

Writing is fun. Writing is work. Writing is a game you hope to win. And there are different ways of getting into the game. For me, I'm playing it both ways. By that I mean, I have gone the traditional route with The Day of the Rose, as it was my partner's wish to do that. For my own stuff, I have formed my own company so that I can write by my own rules.

I am speaking of the rules that govern some genre---like romance, for instance. Which I also discuss in Creating Thomi. This doesn't mean that I disregard grammar, form, or punctuation. It just means that if I want an older heroine to fall for a younger hero, I can do that. She doesn't need to be ten years or more younger in every single story. He doesn't need to be rough and tough. He can be milder mannered---not so quick to be a jerk, and still manly. And neither have to come from broken homes, or from orphanages, or from micro families. And they don't have to spend time boring over how attractive or handsome each of them is--- although they do notice . . . It's just not in every other sentence or thought in the characters' head.

Sure, you want a well written story. So do I. And there are many people out there who can give us one---sometimes a better one than the big names. Why should our fires burn out because of arbitrary rules? You got the motivation, the resources, the endurance for the race---go for it!! And if you're more creative than business minded, write, find a decent agent, and get your book out there! Can't do if you don't do---whichever way you choose.

On this site, there will appear articles geared to getting published, pitfalls to beware of, and of course, the mechanics of writing. The next page of the NoteBook will be devoted to information about getting started in the game. What it takes, and how to stay in it.

So join me here, and share some of my experiences and those of featured guest authors. We'll address all aspects of the writing business. So if you'd like to follow this dream, you should be able to catch a butterfly that'll take you into the rainbows of success.

Feel free to drop in on a few family memories in my In Loving Memory pages. If you've ever lost a loved one . . . well, you know the hurt. I won't dwell on that here. Did there a little bit. Gets easier as time passes, but the pain remains nevertheless. Writing about it helps a great deal. Could probably help anyone who's having trouble dealing with this kind of loss. Doesn't hurt to try. Does hurt to keep it bottled up. Don't do that!