My love affair with books began (probably through osmosis) while I was still in my mother’s womb. Mom delighted in a good love story, and perhaps signals from what she read were sent to my developing mind, setting the course for me to become a romance author.
I’ve had other interests along the way—aerospace and environmental firms, movie reviewer, and even a minute in the medical field—but nothing has ever held my interest the way writing romance does. After all, what’s better than falling, and being, in love?
So what took me soooo long to get started? Lack of inspiration? Hardly. When I was just six years old, my family decided to leave their eighty acres of trees and wildlife behind and take me with them to the city, where I would meet all the inspiration I’d ever need for my love stories. He had blond hair and green eyes and I knew from the moment I laid eyes on him that he was the one. He and I would grow up, have 2.5 kids, a home in the suburbs, and our very own three-car garage.
And I knew he liked me, too, ‘cause boys only throw mud balls at the girls they like.
Ahhh, love at first sight. If you’ve ever experienced it, then you know what I’m talking about. That first glance…your palms break out in a sweat…and when he speaks, the very sound of his voice beats a path to your soul. Your heart feels like it’s about to bubble over with emotion. You want to dance and sing like you’re in a Doris Day musical.
Well, things don’t always work out the way they do in musicals… life gets complicated, stuff happens, and sometimes you forget where you’re going. In my case, I really forgot. But as it turns out, I had two great kids who needed a large supply of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so the regular paychecks from jobs-along-the-way came in handy.
Eventually, though, I got tired of dragging myself to a three-sided cubicle and spending 8 hours a day reading about habitat for the Nyctea scandiaca. I wanted—no needed—more. I’d recently taken an on-line quiz that measured my sexuality quotient and I’d scored an 18. Not good. I wasn’t ready to say “good-bye” to my Victoria’s Secret underwear…and I’m pretty sure it’s a rule, when your sexuality quotient dips below 20, you have to start wearing white cotton granny panties.
What had happened? Had my youth passed me by? I took a long, hard look at what I wanted, and what I wanted was to write. And it had to involve men. I hadn’t forgotten all those fluttery, crazy feelings that new love inspires and I was aching to pour my heart out onto reams of 20 lb. brilliant white paper…‘cause God only knew how much lower my sexuality quotient might dip without immediate action.
Yes, it was good-bye business suits, and hello Victoria’s Secret sweaters and jeans. And now here I am…still writing romance and still having fun.
FYI, basking in the glow of a 60-watt, pink desk lamp is so much nicer than sitting under glaring fluorescentlights. Also, FYI, fuzzy socks, a steaming mocha, and a little dark chocolate are a great way to start each day, not to mention they help one get in the proper frame of mind to write passionate prose.
Though I live in my own little romantic dream world, I also enjoy gardening (I never tire of coming up with new ways to foil the attempts of local wildlife to strip my favorite plants of all their foliage), practicing the piano (after continuing to play some of the same songs for more than twenty years, it’s probably safe to say I won’t ever be a concert pianist), and hiking with my two yellow labs in Washington’s beautiful Alpine Wilderness. Breathing all that fresh air gives me plenty of story ideas.
Fun Facts About Alexa…
Favorite color – perriwinkle blue
Astrological sign – Aries
Favorite song – Magic
Favorite actress – Charlize Theron
Favorite actor – tbd; way too many to choose
Biggest weakness – bold men
Least favorite chore – shopping
Favorite household chore – folding warm laundry
Favorite fruit – pineapple
Favorite vacation spots – Maui, Malibu, and Las Vegas
Favorite movies – Romancing the Stone, Family Man, and Cold Mountain
Favorite amphibian – tree frogs
Favorite month – August
Favorite author – the queen of steam, Linda Howard
Favorite sport –Fantasy football…is sitting in front of the TV rooting for my team considered a sport?
My Favorite Links (writing and otherwise):
www.wordle.net – a fun place to durdle with your wordles
www.rwanational.org – Romance Writers of America
www.writersdigest.com – great books and writing tips from the pros
www.romantictimes.com – news of upcoming releases
www.rosecityromancewriters.com – just one of many great RWA chapters
www.freshfiction.com/authors – contests and books from your favorite authors
www.booktour.com – news of upcoming author events
www.fanfiction.net - readers match up with authors to read their work and critique
www.fictionpress.com - readers match up with authors to read their work and critique
www.bookblog.net/gender/genie.php - uses an algorithm based on word choice to determine the sex of the author.
www.allisonwinn.com/ask-allison - answers to writing-related questions
www.grammarblog.co.uk - pokes fun at others who use grammar incorrectly
www.internspills.blogspot.com - an honest, humorous look at publishing
www.iwl.me - inspects your prose and lets you know which famous writer your style most resembles.
www.slushpilehell.tumblr.com - funny letters found in the slush pile
www.laurienotaro.com/blog – a great way to start your day
www.yournovel.com – star in your very own romance novel
A random thought…Too many What Ifs means you aren’t having enough fun.
