One quality crosses genres in my writing. I share deep insights with humor. Whether on my blogs, Joyce Mason's New Inkarnations (New Ink) and The Radical Virgo, or in my fiction, it's all about how we interconnect, how to live better and fuller during our ride on this amazing planet. There willl always be considerable character development in my novels because I believe Earth's a school and we're here to learn to grow in love. All better if we  have a great time doing it. I've been influenced by many modern authors: Janet Evanovich for humor in mystery and in that genre, perhaps more than any other, by Alexander McCall Smith. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective series is beyond charming. It's my tranquilizer and balm in modern life, as I'm transported to Botswana and an African culture where the "old ways" struggle to meet the new. Mma Romotswe, the No.1 Lady Detective, is more social worker and problem solver than a gumshoe, though she certainly has her talents for finding whodunit, mostly by her intuition that's as large as she is "traditionally built." Memoir writers David Sedaris and Elizabeth Gilbert also do what I admire--cover the extremes of hilarity and finding meaning. Writing is breathing for me. I can't live without it. I can't stop sharing what I've learned on life's journey in one form or another and starting a dialogue about the game of life and love--one in the same. I cut my teeth as a writer by becoming a penpal at a young age. With our modern interactive writing tools like social networking and blog comments, it's like having multiple cyberpals around the world. Interconnection is what it's all about, the special part we each play in the fabric of life and the crazy quilt that comes out of interesting people sharing their unique selves and creativity.

1st Place, Nonfiction Book Proposal, Yosemite Writers' Conference 2005