Big Pimpin’ for #PitchWars

What I’m listening to: Here It Comes -- Shaman’s Harvest

See, here’s the thing about writing bios—it’s kind of like poking yourself in the eye. Because…Ouch. And then, “F***!”. Followed by a few tears until you eventually suck it up (the only thing worse are synopses). So, time to suck it up. Let’s PIMP. MY. BIO. Blog hop style.

BIG PIMPIN’

Some people are lucky enough to know from the beginning what they are supposed to be when they grow up. My husband is one of them. Most of us, however, stumble around a bit trying to find the right fit, so often passing over what makes us truly happy, for what is practical.

Though, I’ve always loved to write, I took the more practical road. I studied sociology at the Universtiy of Illinois (Go Illini) and spent several years in social work, but it never quite fit…I tried accounting, got myself another degree, but still missed the mark. However, when I started spinning tales of curvy heroines and the men who love them, I realized I’d finally found my thing.

A calling. An obsession. That thing that you find that you love so much that it’s not really work. Even when I’m beating my head against a wall with plot issues, or endless revisions, or the late nights that turn into the wee hours, I’m not really working.

Mama always told me I should be writing instead of spinning my wheels. She was right all along. In that part of me that is as essential as my soul, I am a writer. If I never sell a book, never make a dime, I’m still a writer. And always will be.

THE WIND UP & THE PITCH (you know, for you mentor types.)

In Moonlight & Whiskey, my debut manuscript, complete at 93,000 words, I combined several elements that have been fixtures in my life—a love of hard rock, a quick tongue and quicker temper, a filthy mouth and filthier mind, a set of curves I had long before curves were the new black, and an elephant size set of balls—and spun them into characters that won my heart.

Avery Barrows has a set of metaphorical brass balls big enough to give most men a complex, too–she just can’t remember where she saw them last. Frankly, it’s easy to forget who you really are when you put all your effort into figuring out who people think you should be.

So when Fate pushes the ‘curvy’ engineer and the sexy hard rock frontman together under the New Orleans moon, Avery must learn to embrace who she is, flaws and all, but when she and Declan dive headlong into the darkness, will either of them survive the fall?

Set against a backdrop of dark magic and sinful music in sultry New Orleans, fire erupts when Avery and Declan begin that timeless dance between men and women, but when they discover a soul-deep connection that transcends lifetimes, will Fate be enough to turn lust into love?

Guess you’ll have to pick me to mentor in order to find out. 🙂

Why Pick Me? Short Story Long

I’m an only child, but my younger years were spent with a cast of slightly older, definitely rowdy teenage boys who let me tag along. They picked on me, they were stronger than me–they made me one tough little shit who learned to take care of herself.

They taught me how to cuss, and race my bike, and who Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath were. They showed me how to work hard for what I want, and how to get up when I fell. How to handle pain of the physical and mental variety, how to throw a punch and take one as well. They watched my back and taught me how to be part of a team.

Lessons I carry with me to this day.

I married my best friend 15 years ago. We met through bicycle racing, and though children weren’t in the cards for us, we’ve had a passle interesting dogs to warm our hearts, from pound puppies to rare breeds.

My favorite authors run the gambit: From F. Scott Fitzgerald to George R.R. Martin, Dan Brown to Anne Rice, Nora Roberts to J.R. Ward. If I had to pick a favorite book of all time?

Nope, I’d rather pick a scab.
My favorite band depends on the day. Lately, it’s Shaman’s Harvest. I’ve also been known to cop to Eminem, Janis Joplin,Motley Crue, Flogging Molly, Jonny Lang, Aerosmith, but of all time?

There is only one–Queen.

When posed the question, “Edward Cullen or Bill Compton?” The only acceptable answer is, “Lestat.” When posed the question, “Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?” My answer is, “Seriously, I don’t care.”

My drink is Jameson on ice, but I can be persuaded to 2 Gingers with ginger ale. I do like a good margarita and if we’re drinking beer it’s Guinness for me. Red or white wine? Yep, slide ‘em over.

Best of luck to all the mentee hopefuls. I’m looking forward to making some lasting friends in the writer community and enjoying the #pitchwars process.

After all, it’s supposed to be fun…And I’m all about the fun, baby.

Not a mentor? Learn more about PitchWars, and the amazing Brenda Drake here. You can also read other candidates #pimpmybio here.