I am inspired by iconic images. Sometimes they come from my own mind, sometimes from outside sources, especially in nature. Images in stories, art, photography, films, can seed my imagination and grow into stories. I have a passionate nature and a poetic voice suitable to Gothic Romance and Mystery. Since they are so full of atmosphere, I am drawn to European settings such as castles, ruins, cathedrals, old houses, places haunted by strong personalities, patterns and customs that are ancient and have continued over centuries. My characters are often haunted outsiders, or innocents struggling to maintain their moral centers while confronting forces of darkness. Fairy tales, especially Grimms, folklore and ghost tales, haunted houses, Shakespeare, cemeteries and places discovered on my travels creep into my tales. I am less interested in the here and now than in the past, or the between realms. Hence I choose to write in the genre of Gothic Mystery and Dark Fantasy. I seek to explore the primal mysteries, the timeless themes, ancient mysteries. Angela Carter's book The Bloody Chamber made me want to write fiction. Tanith Lee tunes my ear to the English language like no other writer. Studying Poe has been a revelation as far as language. I love Dickins, Lefanu, Gautier, and many other wonderful Gothic writers.

Poetry Prize, Worcester State College
Henry Galler Poetry Prize, University of Washington