writer. reader. infinite dreamer.
Hey, World! This is not a rant. It’s more like a convoluted explanation. Well, it’s not even that twisted. Just words. Not that anyone ever owes anyone else an explanation for anything, but when you care, you take the time to explain. And I care. About the twenty or so people who took the time... Continue Reading →
Colin Wright is quoted as saying, “You have one life to do everything you’re ever going to do. Act accordingly,” and I thought, How will I ever do all I want to do in this one short and unpredictable existence on earth? I panicked. Everything I’m ever going to do on earth must happen now.... Continue Reading →
“We must become job creators, not job seekers.” ~ Marisa Cleveland After attending my first academic conference, where I had my first academic paper published (thanks to my super, amazing, supportive co-author husband), I’m finding my voice. This first paper, Toward Understanding the Impact of Entrepreneurial Leadership Skills on Community Engagement, sets the stage for... Continue Reading →
Let’s talk about the importance of the stereotypical cheerleader. I know the sport of cheerleading has many meanings. I was that girl in high school on the competitive team where each athlete had to have the skills of a gymnast balanced by the stamina of a marathon runner and the strength of a weight lifter.... Continue Reading →
8 Ways to Help After Irma: Clean, Dirty, Blessed, or Born to Serve On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma created a whirlwind of chaos for Collier County. Governor Rick Scott took his position behind the podium, and he created a sense of calm for many, in the face of hasty evacuations or limited shelter-in-place preparations.... Continue Reading →
I've been waiting for this age for over four decades! I never knew when it would come, or if I'd even appreciate it when it did, but it's finally here, and I'm excited to say I'm smart enough to take advantage of it. I've finally reached the age where my own opinions and my own... Continue Reading →
Is there a cure for low self-esteem? More carrots? A smoothie? Sunlight? Chocolate cake? For too many years, I pursued a career designed to make me feel worth... less. Not worthless, but worth less than others in the same job title doing similar job functions. But I continued down that same path year after year,... Continue Reading →
Happy Mother's Day! I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it until I die... I'm so proud of my mom! This time it's because she did something even she wasn't sure she'd do. She wrote a book! All. By. Herself. What started as an idea for a chapter book - she volunteers in the... Continue Reading →
Chapter 2017, page 1. Ready? Five and a half years ago, when my dream of being a published author seemed slim, even after the lovely agent (Mary Sue Seymour, founder of The Seymour Agency) offered to represent me, I applied for and accepted a temp job with the local government. What started as a back-up... Continue Reading →
I read the email from Vicki Tracy four times before I understood the significance of it. She was asking me if I wanted to be a judge for her latest benefit, Naples' Dancing with the Stars, where a cast of local celebrities would put on their dancing shoes to raise money for the Naples Performing... Continue Reading →
Last year my hubby declared that instead of gifts for my birthday, he was giving me twelve months of memories. Each month for the past year we disappeared for a getaway, and I loved every second of time spent with him. July 2015 - Islamorada and Key West, Guy Harvey Islander August 2015 - Crystal... Continue Reading →
My mom and I wrote a book! It's a middle grade fantasy novel, and it's for all readers ages 10 and up. I'm so super excited about this project, because it's something we did together. This book was something we worked on during the weeks when my mom would visit me in Florida (she lives... Continue Reading →
Dear 2015, Thank you for the lessons learned, even the ones I didn't know I needed. For 2015 I said I wouldn't spend money on designer items, and I didn't. Instead, I used that money to make memories with my husband - to take random road trips at midnight to the middle of anywhere. In... Continue Reading →
"We didn't cross the line. We erased it." ~ Simon Cleveland, Ph.D. All the best moments in my life happen because of my husband. He's my anchor in my storm. When we were in college, people said we were crossing the line, because he's white and I'm Asian, and he said, "Don't worry about crossing the... Continue Reading →
Just because I left, doesn't mean I was ready to go... My Halloween costume this year reminded me why I first decided to leave the field of education. Because way back when, a parent told me I was a bad role model, and I believed her. I had no barometer to gauge whether or not... Continue Reading →
Hi All! Welcome to the Get Wicked with Entangled blog hop! We love goodies and giveaways, and in celebration of the release of BLURRING THE LINES next month, I'm giving away a prize pack. Click HERE to enter the giveaway! Don't miss the other blogs and see everyone's trick or treating prize. Click HERE to visit... Continue Reading →
"Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed." ~Red Smith variation After one blood transfusion, I'm so super excited to present Blurring the Lines: a Men of the Zodiac series novel releasing on November 16th! Here's the cover! Feeling supportive? Pre-order now! Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ... Continue Reading →
"What does diversity mean to you?" This question has bothered me since the beginning of the year when Hernan Fratto asked me this during an interview. I didn't have an answer then, and I'm not sure I have a complete one now, but my hubby recently snapped a pic of me and said, "It doesn't... Continue Reading →
2010 Half a decade ago, when I was halfway to seventy, I “retired” from teaching to pursue a dream… I took one year to start this blog and to write full-time. 2011 But after the year, when I didn’t have a single novel sold, after writing four, instead of returning to teaching, I took what... Continue Reading →
The act of writing is such a solitary journey, but publishing an anthology with 16 other authors was a remarkable adventure. On June 2, 2015, my debut young adult novel, Accidental Butterfly, released as part of a boxed set called Dirty Boys of Summer. This anthology included 16 full-length sweet and sexy young adult and... Continue Reading →
