I grew up in a VERY small town in northern Kentucky. It's called Ghent, and its population was 500 before I left. Now it's 499.... I graduated from Carroll County High School in 1983, then I entered the world of work instead of going straight to college. When I saw all my meager paychecks were going to make my car payment, I knew I had to do something else, so I began my college education at Jefferson Community College in Louisville. There I was bitten by the journalism bug. I was editor of the student newspaper for a year, before I transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia, where I earned my Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1991.
After I graduated from M.U., my best friend and I decided to start a shopper in a vain effort to get rich quick. It didn't work, so we got reporting jobs at a daily newspaper in Columbia, Tenn. I was offered a job as News Bureau Director for the Kentucky Press Association shortly thereafter, and I took it. Later, my best friend and I decided to take on Landmark Communications Inc. by starting a competing newspaper in Carrollton, Ky., only 8 miles from my hometown. Well, the paper eventually failed. We simply ran out of money. After two failed business, I'm quite proud to report that my best friend is absolutely still my best friend. Now that's an accomplishment to be proud of!
I married Larry W. Wilson on April 20, 1996. It was my grandmother's 75th birthday, also. It was one of the best days of my entire life. I'm happily married and still in love, although I tell Larry there is only one man I'd ever leave him for--Erik! He doesn't seem to be worried, though.... I live in Carrollton with Larry and his 7-year-old son, Michael. (I'm a stepmom, but not a wicked one. ha!)
Writing is my first love. I always try to find time to write, and I often find that if I'm feeling restless and discontent, it's because I haven't written for a while. Acting is rapidly making its way in my top list of things to do, though. Of course, Phantom of the Opera is my very favorite thing in the entire world. My most prized possession is my 20x30 picture of Erik that I have framed and hanging in my study, right in front of my computer so I can look at it as much as I want when I'm writing. Erik is my inspiration, my angel, my guide and my guardian. His spirit inspires me.
Progeny was born when I was bored at work one day. I was listening to my Michael Crawford's Favorite Love Songs album. Michael sings "Bring Him Home" on this album, and it sounded, of course, like Erik was singing it. (Erik's voice is Michael's voice, to me.) I thought how much emotion Michael put into that song, and how interesting it would be if Erik had a son. Then the idea hit me like a ton of bricks, right between the eyes. Progeny was born in my mind at that very moment. I came home that night and began writing it.
Progeny is my life's work to this point, but I certainly don't intend to stop. I'm now working on my next POTO novel, PHantasy. Yet there is, of course, a special place in my heart for all the books I've finished so far: A War of Wills, Thief of Hearts, and Of Beaus and Belles. A War of Wills was the first book I wrote. I started it in a continuing education course on Writing Women's Fiction. I put it down after that class--I had only completed three chapters! Then, when I was working at KPA, my boss was out of town and I had nothing to do so I began writing on it again. I finished it about three weeks later.
I'm an official member of the Michael Crawford International Fan Club Association, and it's one of my biggest dreams to see him perform in person! Michael is Erik to me; he perfectly personnifies the man I love most. Yes, my friends think I'm crazy, but I'm quick to tell them I'm happily so.