^{The Legend of Jeanne Barrett, Magill}

My writing career began around 1985 or so while I was at a medical convention. I joined a new friend (a physician) for pizza and a long talk about doctors and some of their less-than-honorable behavior traits.

And that was the ignition my imagination needed. For weeks I thought about an insidious and somewhat narcissistic doctor I had worked with for a very short time as well as other more realistic characters and one rather “damaged” individual.>

The result was a blend of real people, imaginary heroes, and villains (about 23 of them.) As I added characters, I also created new plot lines --six, and a word count of over 150K. It was never published.

Flash forward…to my first Nanowrimo when I resurrected one character for a story. I started “The Agent’s Retreat.” It was the beginning of a five-book series. Since then, I’ve written eleven books and published nine.

So that covers the past 37 years. During that time, I made many efforts to improve my writing. I joined several writing groups, entered contests, and practiced a lot! I've spent money on many different writing resources, plotting tools, and electronics. The result of all this is that I am true, a die-hard “Pantser”. 

Although I can't explain it, my stories evolve from some odd kernel fermenting in the far reaches of my right brain. The setting is usually placed that I have lived or visited. That makes it much easier for me to describe, because, in most cases, I have taken hundreds of photographs… and in reality--thousands.

I do my writing on a MacBook with a Mental movie containing vivid scenery, snippets of dialog, and a path I must follow. 

Sometimes my imaginary process takes over and wanders far afield. Time to snap out of it, step back into the scene, and pay attention to where my storyline is going. 

My writing time is geared toward following the story arc. However, I always try to quit before the end of a chapter because it makes it easier to begin the next day.

Unlike many of my Author friends, I must write in total silence. I don't have a musical soundtrack and I don't use photographs or a picture board. Any details that I have forgotten or lost, can usually be found with the help of my co-author —Google. The danger with that is that I can very easily tumble down that rabbit hole and be gone for extended periods. (a familiar writing hazard.)

And at this point, I'd like to mention my new stories recently resurrected two years in the dark cave avoiding Covid. On the top of my list is a romantic intrigue/ historical mystery entitled “Obelisk” and it features a couple of old familiar characters. 

I also have a book with four-holiday novellas.  Three of the stories feature familiar characters from Highland Dew, Balefire, Damaged in Service, and a new story of two older women on a cruise. The story prompt for the last novella is, “What if, two older women “Lost that loving feeling” and were sent on a cruise by their families?”

In closing, I would like to mention that Sapphire has graciously included Highland Dew And my latest, Diva to their list of audiobooks. I was very lucky to have two outstanding narrators who brilliantly brought my stories to life. And the rest of my books are listed on the Sapphire website (sapphirebooks.com). Check out some of the wonderful stories!

--Barrett