WHO I AM

I put a great store in the attribute of gratitude. And with good reason — I have much to be grateful for. I was born and raised in Savannah, GA in a loving family with parents who exhibited the best ideals of decency and hard work. I had the good fortune to have been hired by IBM right out of college in the days before there were computer science departments. Software development gave me a love for the analytical problem-solving process that has stayed with me throughout my life.

I met and married my husband, Frank, in 1970. (You do the math.) He is the embodiment of another quality I value highly: faithfulness. Frank and I have had a remarkable journey through life, living in several different states, traveling widely, and most importantly, receiving the gift of a child. Our wonderful son, Arthur, is the joy of our lives.

Finally, I have learned a lot about another quality that I value highly: endurance. Whether it’s the marathons I’ve run, the airplanes I’ve piloted, or the novels I’ve written, the phrase Never Give Up comes to mind.

Which brings me back to gratitude. I am deeply grateful for the life God has given me, the blessings He has poured on me, and, yes, the trials He has put me through to strengthen and refine my character.

 

WHY I WRITE

I think we all have a desire to create. It must be part of what it means to be made in the image of God.

People design homes, invent new products, and cook divine meals. (Ahem. Not my strong suit.) All of these must be the result of the desire to create something new, to change the world for the better.

As a programmer, I learned creating computer systems was building a useful product out of pure thought. Writing a novel is an extension of that same idea. One can create an entire world from within oneself. And along the way, it’s possible to discover new truths.

It’s right up there with flying an airplane up through the clouds into clear, blue sky, wings level, and a little closer to heaven.