Author Bio

Me...

The lil' pixelated me was created Not as exciting as the pixelated version by what

by a great friend named Eve! else can you do outside a virtual world?

Hmm...there are so many sides to a gemini and fortunately for the writer side of me, I am the epitome of them all. Mostly, I'm quite private to some extent but I will give a few details. I had aspirations of starting my own comic in elementary school (with oil pastels of all things silly). My next dabble in the 'creative realm' was in middle school. I wrote for the school paper--interviews mostly but I also wrote poems and I even drew the cover for the Christmas Issue. I didn't start writing for story until I was in high school though if making up stories in your mind counts, I think I started around age four. It was during my study hall period (unfotunately it was only a few weeks but that was enough) that I discovered the thrill of writing. What do you do when a book does not end the way you wish it to? What do you do when the book is over and you long for more adventures with the characters that have become your friends? Well, you start writing your own stories! Don't just sit there groaning and moaning at the author, do something about it!

I wrote on and off for a few years before I joined the United States Air Force. Surprised? I know for those of you that don't know me too well and even some that think they do, it's hard to believe that I once donned combat boots and camouflage. I even qualified w/an M16 believe it or not (though I'm not fond of handling guns--try to figure that one out). Even in the military I dabbled in writing. I created a step by step continuity book which was bench marked by other squadrons on my base (even says so on my award certificate that I am extremely proud of). After my six year enlistment was over, I discovered a writing correspondence course. Long Ridge Writer's Group. I took the course and the constant challenge of coming up with new story ideas every two weeks made me realize just how much I love to write! I have so many ideas and so many characters awaiting birth that I will never in my life be bored! I am not an 'idle' person. You will never see me without something to do. I carry around spiral notebooks (more than one), a folder with spare books in it, and notes. I make earrings or draw while I watch t.v. I am always looking for ways to promote my books so I am constantly reaching out on the web. From pencils, pens, business cards, notepads, hats, t-shirts, frisbees, etc. I design and make my own promotional materials. I do draw but I am mostly a copyartist--in other words, if I can see it then I can draw it but pulling the lines and movement from my imagination is harder than giving birth.

I thought my first book would be from the seven book series I'm currently working on but to my surprise, it wasn't. No...a little book that I had created for a children's book contest was my beginning. I didn't win of course (not everyone wins but you only lose if you give up). One day, I noticed an artist at an online community and asked her if she would like to do some drawings for me. She agreed. I already knew of a company (Xlibris) that I had been planning on for the 'Fragments' series. I still don't fully understand what connected in my mind and had me publish 'Gasgeil' first but it happened. So then I happily accepted her sketches and then transformed them into the colored pages you see in Gasgeil's Bravery. It's a 32 page picture book. I inked all 32 pages and even added some lineage to a few of the drawings before I colored them (using Pro Create Painter Classic and a Wacom tablet).

My second book was Tyme's Hope. This endeavor was the adrenaline rush that I am now addicted to. I originally sought out a publisher that was suggested by an author friend but the terms of the contract were not acceptable to me. I am nothing if not loyal--the illustrator who worked on this with me had did such a beautiful job and it was his first endeavor so I had no choice but to see it published one way or another-it is not in my nature to let people down when they put faith in me. After scouring the internet, I discovered Lulu.com. I am a very cautious person so after throughly investigating them (always research), I decided to publish through them. Now, unlike Xlibris, Lulu require the user to do everything. From manuscript format to copyright page, to back/front cover design you are in control of everything! Ok, I'm a bit of control freak that tetters on the edge of insanity so for me, this was exhilarating. I love challenges, mysteries, and puzzles but even more--I love the power of words.

My third book, Spirit Feathers, Volume I is a collection of short stories that I had written for my Long Ridge Writer's Group assignments. I didn't think to put them in a collection until my mother fell ill. I wanted to put out a book that would inspire strength and will. I am a very optimistic person. Still, I have pessimistic tendencies like the rest of the world only my optimism dissects whatever the problem is and dissolves the hopelessness. We go through life regardless--things will always pile on and up, yet we continue despite it all. The key to it is knowing that the solution is there. Whether it be what you wish or not, it's still there. So grab that demon by the horns and show no mercy! This is your life after all, only you can live it.

My fourth book, Fragments of the Key: Eala's Misfit is one of seven in the Fragments of the Key series. Now, this is my biggest and most loved creation of them all. I have spent years developing the characters and I have written on all seven books so far--I even have the epilogue to the series completed. You know you are dedicated when you wake up calling out one of your characters names! It's even stranger when you pick Gaelic names for your characters and for some odd turn in the universe, you meet real live people w/that name.

The moral of this long biography? Writing is an adventure that I wish never to end and be warned--I can talk for endless amounts of time about it!

Here are various interviews, awards, reviews:

American Author's Association Review:

Gasgeil's Bravery: http://www.americanauthorsassociation.com/Book%20Review-Gasgeil’s%20Bravery-%20Condoleo.htm

Tyme's Hope: http://www.americanauthorsassociation.com/Book%20Review-Tyme's%20Hope%20-%20Condoleo.htm

Silver Quill Award for Gasgeil's Bravery: http://www.americanauthorsassociation.com/awards.htm (about mid page)

Book Beginnings Interview: http://authorbeginnings.blogspot.com/ (October 1st, 2008--scroll to the bottom of the page)