Another influence was O.W. Donald. He was the founder and president of our songwriters company, Arkansas-Oklahoma Songwriters, Inc. I became acquainted with him in my quest in songwriting and in turn I became a stock holder of the company. Since I am a singer/songwriter, I delighted and reveled in being able to go to Nashville, TN on a regular basis. Arkansas-Oklahoma Songwriters hosted numerous stars in concert at the Fort Smith Civic Center. Among them were Marie Osmond and Tom T. Hall. Having pictures taken with Marie was delightful and conversing with them all was rewarding. I had the opportunity to sing in Nashville as well as meet other aspiring singers/songwriters. One of my songs is currently in Nashville with a major recording star. This song will be incorporated in one of my short stories in my sequel to Windy John's me 'n tut. Arkansas-Ohlahoma Songwriters, Inc. ceased after the death of O.W. Donald. Thanks O.W., you were a wonderful inspiration and I miss your friendship.
Erma Bombeck, a wonderful writer was a source of inspiration to me. Her books lifted me in so many ways and I was delighted to receive a letter from her telling me to "Write, write, write." I had written several short stories for the Press Argus Courier in 1983. The title was "Whose Life Is It, Anyway?" They were humorous stories centered on my own experiences with my two sons and daughter and were similar to Erma Bombeck's style of writing. Having written those short stories pressed me forward to the rewarding experience of having Windy John's me 'n tut published. Here's to you, Erma Bombeck...your letter is framed and hanging in my living room. Keep those angels laughing!One award is my husband! He is my high school sweetheart, best supporting actor, best friend, lover and father. He is always supportive of me and encourages my addiction to writing. He is my partner in our Business Forms and Ad Specialties company. Together we founded the company in 1992, have endured closeness of working side by side and will continue to do so until we retire from the business.
Motherhood! I survived three lively children whose antics threw me into a tailspin each day and they survived to live through puberty (I didn't kill them), critters under feet and holding my breath wondering what the kids had in store for their un-suspecting "Mom" who by their standards didn't have a grip on life. Those same three children, now adults, have showered me with 8, count'em 8 grandchildren who are walking a fine line in keeping up with their parents in driving their Grannie bonkers. It's hereditary! Surely not by choice? Gotta love'em, they are precious. WINDY JOHN'S ME 'N TUT, my first published book and life long dream of being a published author came true. Since the second grade, sitting in my one person cubicle desk reading "WEEKLY READER", I was transported back in time living the pictorial scenes as though I was a part of the script. I knew I wanted to be a published author and told my classmates my dream. To my surprise, they taunted me until I cried. My response to them was, "One of these days you'll be laughing out the other end." The response from my teacher was that I had to write 100 times, "I will not say that again." To get back at her, I wrote the entire 100 lines backward in cursive. She had to hold it up to a mirror to read the punishment she had placed upon me and at the same time was being punished for not supporting my dream. She never told me to write another blasted thing! In 1998, my husband and I won first place in the Jerry Baker, "America's Master Gardener", in the Gardening for Life yard and garden contest. Our yard and house received front page coverage in his Gardening for Life catalog, and additional pictures with an article I wrote appeared inside the magazine. To date, we have hosted 400 Arkansas Master Gardeners as they toured our yard and flower beds in conjunction with a state convention held in Fort Smith, AR. We have numerous persons stopping by to view the flowers and to ask, "Is that astro turf?' The yard is my husbands pride and joy and the flowers (27 beds) is my forte. I love digging in the dirt and getting back to my primeval self.
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I have been published four times with my books and one time with a short story in Chicken Soup for the Father Daughter Soul in 2005.
Two of my books, Windy John's me 'n tut and the sequel, Windy John's Rainbow and the Pot 'o Gold are humorous short stories told to me by my father when I was small and continued when he was in a nursing home. Both of them are a step back in time to listen to "hill talk" and hillarious antics. Before Daddy died, I promised him I would have them published.
The third is a paranormal/mystery/explicit book, Whisper My Name. Setting Chicago, early 1930's!
Fourth is Full Circle, a look into Vietnam, its attrocities and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) that nearly every soldier experiences. Although the book is fictional with its characters, one of them is a real, live Vietnam Veteran who sat down with me and told me his sad story. It is heart wrenching. The book will make you cry.
My short story, Hidden Wings was an inclusion in the Chicken Soup for the Father Daughter Soul, 2005. I currently read submitted stories for the new-up-coming releases when I am asked to do so.
That is it...in a nut shell! All my books can be found on Amazon.com and BarnesNoble.com or other .com sites.
Gotta get to work and I do appreciate you taking the time to read my bio.