I've always loved writing, always knew I would write novels. But somewere along the way I'd taken a wrong turn, forgotten to pursue my love. It seemed more important that I obtain a "realistic" career where I could make money, have security. In college, instead of focusing on creative arts, I studied business with a major in-- wait for it--ACCOUNTING! Oh my gosh, what a wrong turn that was! Still, the business degree did serve me well for many years as long as having a realistic, safe career was what made me happy. The desire to write continued to burn it's light in my heart, and a time came when I walked out that corporate door without a glance back, not even a peek over my shoulder.  That was about ten years ago, and since then I have written 3 novels. One of them, Peripheral View was published in May, and I am so excited about it! Peripheral View has all of the elements of the kind of novel I love to read or write. I'm inspired by stories that touch my heart, even break my heart, but leave it restored and full of hope. Peripheral View is like that. It was inspired by a true story of someone who's life was marginalized by conditions and people over which she had seemingly no control. But, enlisting help, she fought the odds and the people that were keeping her from attaining her dreams. I'm personally inspired by people that place one foot in front of the other, perhaps not knowing a thing about how to get what they want, but still set out for the journey anyway. I like to live my life like that as well. I suppose I did that when I left my safe job to write. I also did that when, as a single woman, I adopted my beloved daughter, Lexa, from Kazkhstan. I traveled and stayed in Kazakhstan for 26 days, visiting her at the orphanage, going to court in the foreign country with an interpreter helping me understand everything that was said. Those are just two of the bigger things that have shaped my life, and I did each of them with a leap of faith, and not much else. I love to inspire other women to reach for their dreams, to go for it--to believe that they are so worthy of having their dreams come true. God gave each of us gifts and He wants us to use them. Had I only believed twenty years ago, perhaps I would have gotten started earlier. Not that the years in the business world were wasted. I learned so much. Still it was on a subject I didn't love. I guess we should love it or leave it. I'm so happy I did leave it. Now I write and promote my writing, and I have no interest in leaving it behind. I love it!