I always liked to write and loved the magic of verbal expression, including those in foreign languages.  I was a Spanish and French major in college with a minor in English.  But creative writing was not in the curriculum in those days, only journalism.  I went in the direction of teaching.  In graduate school, I chose to write a judged thesis instead of taking the day-long oral committee review.  In my varied careers, I was often called upon to write letters or speeches, marketing copy, even ghost writing for some of my peers.  But I never really called myself a writer until I met the Women Who Write bunch.  They said, “Yes you are a writer; and your stories are great!”  Their encouragement and support has brought me to a new phase of life that I truly enjoy.  Now I am heading toward publication of a memoir and a novel.

 

Since retiring from the University of Louisville, I have contributed to Keeneland Entertains, Traditional Bluegrass Hospitality and Favorite Recipes, produced by the Keeneland Association and Eclipse Press (2010).  I have submitted two stories in the 2010 edition of Calliope, by Women Who Write, and participated in the first edition of the Women Who Write cookbook.  I am now a member of the Board of Directors of Women Who Write.  I am also a founding member of the committee creating the Kentucky Women’s Book Festival each year. We are planning our fifth festival in May.