I investigated freelance writing in 1980 and read everything I could on the topic. I attended writers’ conferences, joined writers’ groups and wrote every day of the year, no exceptions. I started with short stories and collected dozens of rejection notices. During one writers’ group meeting, two members suggested I try nonfiction. My career took off.
My first publication was a humorous account of having our car stolen. I decided that nobody wants to hear a sob story, so I gave the unfortunate experience a twist. My next was a religious piece that was published in “Ligourian.” The Star, a newspaper that circulated in Chicago’s south suburbs, picked up my account of wives of Chicago Bears football players. My tenure with that newspaper lasted 17 years, three of them as a staff writer.
We moved to Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. in 2000 and I became a freelancer for The Sun News, the Myrtle Beach, S.C. daily newspaper, a position I continue to hold. Other local publications are perfect for my talents because I know the area, attend as many local events as possible and enjoy writing about the people and places in and around Brunswick County.
I give presentations to high school and adult groups about journalism, photojournalism, photography and writing in general. I enjoy needlepoint, embroidery, riding my bike, swimming, walking and reading. I love my iPod and download a good number of jazz and rock tunes. I haven’t moved into the iPad or Kindle crowd yet, and I haven’t e-published. Volunteering has been a part of my life since high school, and I continue that practice today.
I grew up in Joliet, Ill. and earned my bachelor's degree from College of St. Francis in Joliet, now called University of St. Francis. I majored in English and minored in Spanish and education. As I grasped the sheepskin, I headed for University of Notre Dame and received a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
I taught English and reading, married Steve and started a family before I began my writing career. For 15 years I freelanced and taught English and Spanish classes part time. The local school district and town government hired me to write their newsletters, and The Star paid me for feature stories. I continue my writing life in North Carolina.
Steve and I enjoy traveling and take excursions as often as possible. Our favorite places include Hawaii, Italy and England. Both of our sons live on the West Coast, so we venture that way about four times a year. Steven is a naval officer and lives in Silverdale, Wash., with his wife, Meghan, and their three sons, Jackson, Jefferson and Harrison. Our son, Jeffrey, is an investment banker in San Francisco. A few pictures of my family are here.
Steve and Harrison, 7 years old, summer 2011
The two Boston terriers that inhabit Jeffrey’s home, April 2011
Harrison, Jackson and Jefferson with Meghan, Steven and Steve, April 2011
Jeffrey, holding Comiskey, his Boston terrier, went to Napa Valley with friends, summer 2011.
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