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Imagination sets us free to be whomever we want to be ~ my coffee mug
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About Me
I've been writing most of my life. It was creative essays full of BS that got me through high school and allowed me to write technical documents which led me to a career in computer training and software design.
As a child, my sister locked me in a crypt at a local cemetery and left me there for hours. Some say that is when my imagination took hold and they're probably right. As I watched the sun set through a clover leaf cutout in the heavy door, I imagined all sorts of things.
I am in love with the idea of schizophrenia--not to downplay the seriousness of the illness. The idea that our minds can form other worlds, people, and experiences fascinates me, and shows up in many of my stories. As do sociopaths, and the idea that for most it is easier to follow than lead.
Needless to say, Crime and Punishment and 1984 are two of my favorite novels. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden is the book that peaked my interest in schizophrenia. The Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens taught me the importance of bringing characters to life. And I would be a liar to not say Stephen King influenced a lot of my earlier writing.
Today, my favorite YA books are The Hunger Games Series and Going Bovine. Besides Harry Potter, my favorite MG novels are The Tale of Deveroux, The Golden Compass, and Ink Heart (I know they were movies, but the books are much better). I love epic, complex stories that allow me to escape into new worlds.
Movies of course impact our lives as well. The Wizard of Oz captivated me as a child and has never let go. It is still my all time favorite. I have a confession though, I never liked Dorothy. It was the Wicked Witch of the West and those flying monkeys I loved. Glinda was the true villain. I can't even describe how thrilled I was to read Wicked.
I have become a fan of Studio Ghibli and consider Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away two of my favorite movies right beside Labyrinth and The Never Ending Story.
One last disturbing thing about me: All my morals come from Aesop Fables and Grim Fairy Tales. The most important thing they taught me was if you were blond, pretty, and dimwitted some strange prince would rescue you from life. If not, you had to work hard to get what you wanted and learn to take care of yourself. I always prided myself on my dark hair.
I hope to make my mark in the middle grade/young adult market and share with children the beauty of a wild and vivid imagination.
My Other Love - Sculpting
Since I can't draw or paint, I decided a couple of years ago to try my hand at sculpting. It's lots of fun. Molding is tough, and then what to do with the stuff after. But it keeps me busy on those nights I don't feel like writing.
I plan on sculpting the characters from my novel, The Talent Collector. Starting with the flying nymphs and Mr. Tatalini.
My First Two Busts
My First Troll
My Favorite Troll - My mom has him
My brother wanted an ugly troll
Fun to make a nightmare to mold
For my wall if I ever cast it
My version of Thor
Writer Resources
Followers
Thanks Catherine M Johnson
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