Category Archives: Uncategorized

What an awesome event! This was my first book fair and I must say it was everything I believed it would be. My son and I met some wonderfully enthusiastic authors, some of whom happen to be our neighbors. Donna Andrews (best selling author of The Meg Langslow series) was our first encounter. She was especially encouraging to this first-time newbie (encouraging me to consider membership in “Mystery Writers of America”) and hails from Reston,VA (literally a hollar away from Sterling-our home). Next on our list was Barry Nove. What an interesting, informative individual. Most know him for his Highmage’s Plight and Dare 2 Believe series, but what was most beneficial to me was his The Ellis Island Experience. The fair was the weekend prior to my families trip to New York (writer’s conference) and armed us with a knowledge of how to make our experience completely enjoyable. He also buoyed my self-esteem regarding my venture into the writing world. Heading over to the “children’s/ya” area we met a beautifully energetic young lady named Kelly Ann Jacobson. She wasn’t displaying any of her work, but was volunteering for the DMV booth. We happened to recognize her from her web-page and were excited to meet yet another ‘neighbor’. Then we were on to Krystal Wade (Darkness Falls series and infused with an infectious personality) and her cohort (at least at the sales table) Ryan Hill (whose book happens to be getting an award for design and writes both children’s and y/a books). With our bag chalked full of books, and our pockets (wallets, billfolds, fists…) emptied we left the fair with only one regret…we never took our camera out to take photos. Aaarrrggghhh!!!!  Next time…     If you ever have the chance to attend I suggest you grab your keys, slip on your comfy walking shoes, hit the atm (or at least have your credit card) and join in the fun 🙂

I opened this website a year ago and am just now getting things up and running. It’s been an interesting year of new beginnings and heart wrenching endings. It’s the beginnings that I would most like to share. My eldest niece just gave birth to a beautiful (like i would call her anything else) baby girl. First pic and she’s donning a football (sockcap) on her head. She entered the world on Superbowl Sunday so what else would one expect :-).  I am SO proud of my niece. She started her own business (LadyLouiseDesigns…namesake being my grandmother, her great-grandmother who was one of our endings this past year) and I invite all of you to check it out (that’s your official plug kiddo!). We also purchased a house and have been working on updating some things (I love fixer-uppers but they are work). And of course…writing my first (I pray of many) book. It’s truly been a learning experience. In the words of Malcolm Forbes… “Failure is success, if we learn from it!”  I am ready to learn from mine and move forward. I thank all of those who have supported me and continue to do so. Lastly, I have reconnected with family. My uncle, who I adore (and refers to himself as “brother”…yes this tree really does fork) has stayed in contact and shared wonderful and insightful things with me. My aunt (who i love like a mother, and my children like a grandmother) has become my daily inspiration. I look forward to the next time…and until then…keep smiling and know life is what you make of it!

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I am, like many women, a ‘wearer of many hats’… mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, friend, caregiver, babysitter, shoulder, the list goes on. But my desire is, and has been since the first time I could actually read, to be a writer. ‘Taking Elyse” is the beginning of my journey.