~Diana Castilleja~
Diana Castilleja has been writing as a career since 2004, but it wasn’t the very beginning. Her first attempt was more than ten years ago. Her first try at writing was nearly straight plagiarism of a Jo Beverley title, a historical story that she still owns (and loves). Since then, she’s moved several times, divorced and remarried, and was once again bitten by the writing bug. Since 2004 she has written 18+ novel length stories, ranging in Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and a definite favorite of her own tastes for reading, Paranormal.
She knows that she wouldn’t have made it this far without the support and camaraderie of her friends and writing mayhem makers. With their constant pushes and online support, there’s no question what an asset they have been to her progress. She works everyday to payback a little of that support, and to make a positive impact on those around her with her stories.
She is a member of RWA, Austin RWA, EPIC, RWAOnline, an active member of Romance Divas and is a proud co-owner in Sweeter Romantic Notions.
~Eliza Knight~
When I was in first grade we had a journal that we could write or color in during our free time. I used to color princes and princesses, and write stories about them. I later became fascinated with mystery, suspense and even a little sci-fi. A short story of mine was published when I was in the third grade about and alien…When I started high school, I spied a Julie Garwood book at my grandmother’s and opened it up. I have been an avid romance fan since. I started writing short romance stories and novels while in high school for fun, showing them to friends and family. It was never anything serious, just for fun. I was the editor of my high school newspaper and planned on going into journalism. I wanted to be a column writer, mainly for health. When I got into college and spent the first year writing obituaries and covering the student government meetings I changed majors. It just wasn’t for me. I like a story. Convinced by people I will not name here that the best thing for me to do was get a “real” job, I began a career in mental health after college. A few years later, I decided it was time to get back to my roots. I also wanted to be able to stay at home with my kids. I have a two daughters, six and a half and ninteen months. I have been writing full time now for 2 years. I write historical romances and erotic romance in the medieval and regency eras. I have dabbled a little it with contemporary and have plans to dabble at least one more time. I have several novels and short stories finished, and more in the process, and a thousand stories on the list yet to be written.
You could say life for me is never dull. I have a tendency to pile things on my plate, because I can’t stand being idle. I’m a gym junkie…although the chocolate and starbucks addiction as well as sitting with my laptop all day cause all of my efforts at the gym to become null and void.
Since I am also the stay at home mom of a toddler and first grader there is always something going on, but my girls rock when it comes to mommy’s writing time! Although I try to do a lot during nap school/time and after they go to bed, if I do happen to be writing while they are around, and they want attention, I get them involved. We all sit at the kitchen table, they have crayons, paper, tape, pens and whatever else they think they need, and they write their own books. Or dh will take them outside to play.
Why did I choose to write historical romance? Because I love history, always have. My favorite channel on television is the History Channel. I love reading historical romances, and think that for every writer, you end up writing what you love to read.
I am a member of RWA and its special interest chapters, Hearts Through History, Celtic Hearts and the Beaumonde. Within the SIC’s I am a by-law committee member for Hearts Through History, a member of the newsletter committee for Celtic Hearts and the chair of the party planning committee for Celtic Hearts.
I’m excited to join such an amazing group of aspiring authors. I look forward to blogging and chatting with readers and writers alike. I’ve learned a lot over the past years and look forward to sharing my experiences, exciting news, etc… with everyone, as well as hearing what other writers are experiencing.
~Emily Morgan~
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember and originally wanted to write fantasy. However, I quickly realised that whatever genre I was currently writing someone ended up falling in love. Then I read my first romance novel, and I was hooked! My favourite setting is Regency, and that’s what I write. I have two finished manuscripts and am currently working on my third.
On a personal note I am actually not American (which you may notice by my spelling…) but actually Swedish. Why do I write in English? Because that’s where the market is and I spent 7 years abroad speaking more English than Swedish. Spring 2007 I finally returned to Sweden and I’m currently trying to settle back in and get used to being ‘home’.
~Haven Rich~
I have been a pre-published author for about six years now but up until recently I didn’t completely understand what it meant to be a “serious” writer. Well, I do get it now and only NOW consider myself a serious writer. So in a sense, my writing has only begun.
Although I say my writing has only begun, I am the founder, started in December of 2001, of Romantic Inks (formally Romantically Inclined). My idea with this site and group of woman is to find a common ground with others who are making their way in the writing world. It was also the ideal place to have experts in the field (published authors) to share advice and wisdom they have already learned. And despite having lost a few members and gaining new ones our group is still focused on sharing our stories on how we’ve grown as writers.
More privately, I found romance several years back, going against a childhood swear that I’d never be “one of those women” who read romance. I didn’t have a clue what I was talking about!! I’ve always enjoyed reading, but when I was younger it was mostly poetry and dark novels that dealt with ghost stories and vampires. This could explain my ever growing passion for writing sexy vampires. But in truth, the urge to write romance didn’t come to me until I read two inspiring books: To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn and Midnight Embrace by Amanda Ashley. It was then I wanted to write for myself. Having written poetry in the past, with some published, I learned quickly that writing romance was a whole new beast. A beast that required plots, characters and most importantly a story. So began my journey.
~Leigh Royals~
Writing is a passion of mine and has been for as long as I can remember. I recall the elation of having poetry published in school publications and was happy to share my creativity with everyone. I’ve grown from grade school compilations and have many other ideas now. I’ve left the daily journaling and poetry behind, although it lurks in me still. My novel aspirations include a series of historical romances set in Colonial America. I love reading almost any genre, but romances are my favorite.
When I’m not reading or writing, or thinking of reading and writing, I am engrossed in motherhood, housewifery-yeah, I think that’s a real word-and my day-time job. I’m so grateful that my job has flexibility, because it lends to further exploring my creative side. I am thrilled to be invited to join these other awesome ladies. I’ll be humoring you-I hope-on Mondays, unless there is another fabulous author guest.
~Maggie Robinson~
I started writing romances for the most unromantic of reasons: I was annoyed with my husband and wanted to make the “perfect” man, at least on paper. Several fictional heroes later, I’m still married and he’s still not perfect (neither, I must reluctantly confess, am I) but he’s been super-supportive as I’ve tapped away. I wish now I hadn’t dropped out of typing class, but thank goodness for find and replace.
I grew up on
In 2006 two of my chapters placed in Avon FanLit’s top ten. In 2007 I made the finals in the East Texas RWA chapter’s Southern Heat Contest in the historical division. I can’t quite make my mind up whether to be funny or serious, historical or contemporary, so I fool around with everything. I’m a PRO member of RWA, with one requested full manuscript somewhere in
~Sandra Barkevich~
Sandra Barkevich lives in the foothills of the Adirondacks with her husband and two children. She’s been an avid romance reader since the tenth grade, having read more than eight-hundred books over the past fourteen years. Sandra is currently a reviewer for TCM Reviews (After all, you don’t read that many books without forming some sort of an opinion). Her latest addictions are paranormal and shapeshifter romances. Growing up, she spent hours and hours playing imagination games with her grandmother. Often creating fantasy worlds and situations that would become more elaborate as the day wore on. With the support of her loving husband, Sandra has taken the leap from reader to writer. She loves to hear feedback from her readers and can be reached via the Email link button above.
~Shelley Munro~
From the time Shelley Munro was a little girl living in
As happens with children, Shelley grew up and boys distracted her from childhood dreams. She found one she really liked and married him, traveling the world at his side until returning to settle in