Recently I was asked: What have you learned being a writer?

I learned two valuable lessons since1986. First, as a writer, I must research the facts. I owe that to my

readers not only to be accurate but also to keep a record of what source I have used. My second lesson

was that humility sometimes is served up on an extremely large platter. In other words, writing a

novel and getting it published are two very different things. It takes knowledge--working with experts,

asking questions, and for me becoming a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and taking

Chapter In-line classes, reading Self-Help Books, attending writing conferences and reading. . . reading

and more reading in the genre you write and then branching out and reading other genres. And you

have to carve out the time every day to write. I know that’s not easy. But like an enduring marriage

and a fine wine, through the twists and turns of life, with dedication and commitment, one can achieve

one’s goal.