About Tess
This is where I tell you all about Tess. I've never been really good at this sort of thing. So hang with me as I dive in head first.
Tess is an amateur sleuth, a princess and a woman on the run. She's also a space traveler, a futuristic warrior and an alien. I am all these things and much more, because I'm a writer and a reader. That's why what I'm about to tell you is so important.
I live a double life. (Or maybe I should say many lives.)
You see, there is my nine-to-five corporate self, and then there is my after-hours writer-of-deeply-sensual-romance self. Both are fun to be around and full of mystery and intrigue. I just let my after-hours self shine through more often between the pages of my stories—pages that run the genre gambit because my stores are as varied as my interests.
People often tell you to write what you know. Heck, I'd rather write what I want to know and then set out to learn and experience it. Or at least let my imagination run wild and create it.
Taking the first step and actually putting the swirling images in my head down on paper also appeased those voices that I'd heard in my head for so long. And to learn that I wasn't crazy and others heard voices too was as thrilling as it was adventurous. But where to start? Easy. You always start at the beginning, right?
But where is that?
I think that starting gate is in a different location for each of us. For me, it was by doing online searches. Through these I found Romance Writers of America and from there, Georgia Romance Writers. Imagine my thrill to learn that there were actual organizations out there I could join and meet others like me. From here I went on to find other wonderful online writing communities and people.
As I became more serious I finally felt it was time I told my husband what I was up to.
I still remember the day I told him, I'm going to write a book. His reaction is still vividly imprinted in my memory. Along with the conversation I had with my mom when I told her I was not only writing but had sold my first book. Her comment about one day having enough courage to write romance, and the complete silence that followed my ever so casual reply My book is full of murder and sex, are priceless memories. Don't get me wrong. I get 100% support for my writing, and I'm not only lucky to have such fabulous people in my corner, I'm also grateful.
In addition to writing and keeping up with both of my lives, I also enjoy cooking, belly dancing, knitting (Don't be fooled. Knitting is full of mystery and intrigue, too.), and exploring the terrain of the North Georgia Mountains. Living in the North Atlanta subs, the Appalachian foothills are right outside my back door, and you can often find my husband and me hiking through the state parks. I love the inspiration I get from being away from the daily grind.
Speaking of daily grind and inspiration, I have a daily blog where I talk about anything and everything that inspires Tess. So be sure to visit me at T's Journey.