Greet your fellow Life Writers
A fun part of every journey is getting to know your traveling companions, and the same is true for us Life Writers.
Take a moment to introduce yourself to your fellow writers. Include what city and state you’re in, what you’re working on with your writing, and why you’re here.
If you’d like to see and hear most of your fellow Life Writers introduce themselves, watch the video below from our aborted kickoff meeting on September 30, 2020. This is an option in addition to introducing yourself and saying hello in the comment box below.
After you post your introduction, click the Go to Next Step button on the bottom right.
16 Comments
Holly martinez
Hello fellow writers. My name is Holly Martinez. I live in Palm City, Florida and I’m writing a true story. My story may become a memoir or a romantic novel of sorts.
I have lived the most interesting life. As a young child, my mother was under the control of an occult church. This church kept me in hiding for years. The leader of the church, Theodora, was a physic, a medium, and a madam. When I was seven, Theodora demanded I come to her. She told me I was the chosen one to marry her son when I turned eighteen. This demand was forced on me and they groomed me daily to be pure for only him. Until God took over the plan. When I was twenty-four, I met a man, and together we had our Akashic Records (a believed compendium of all human individual actions, thoughts and events that have occurred or will ever, which is imprinted on the Akashic and is linked to the so called astral light, an energy field. The records of a soul from the time it extends from God/source until it returns.) read by a young girl that told us of our future. At that time her words didn’t make sense to us. But our lives have had amazing happenings and lessons, and her words have proven to be true, all adding to our master plan of where we are today. My stories will show how past events take place to teach us lessons and how they reaper with different players but the spirit of the meaning lives on and is true. When you follow your heart you will know you are exactly where you need to be. My heart is full of gratitude, and I treasure the players in my life.
Etya Krichmar
Hello, Fellow Nembers.
By now, most of you know I was born in the Soviet Union, I left this oppressive country when I was twenty three to escape the further abuses of the human rights violations and discrimination against the Soviet Jews, whom I call Jews by Default. Why? Because the religion of our fairefathers was turned into our nationality by the brutal authoritarian regime of the Communist Party to make the Jews the scapegoats of the society. I am writing a memoir about the life I led as a Jew without ever being given a chance to learn and practice the very thing, Judaism, that was supposed to make me Jewish. I hope that my book will oen the minds of many to what socialism represents in the truest meaning of this word. It is the most oppressive form of control and subjugation of a human spirit. I look forward to sharing with you the stories of my life. I hope to receive a valuable and honest critique from my writing buddies. My book is also written in memory of my parents, whose life should not be forgotten and whose life is intertwined with my own. Without them, I would not be here today, writing my memoir.
Holly martinez
Etya, I applaud you in writing your true story. This takes dedication and courage. You are a strong woman. Keep on writing.
Jennifer Paster
Hello Everyone, My name is Jennifer Paster. I moved to Florida from Georgia when I was 8 years old. I currently live in Orlando with my husband. I am new to writing.
Children are my passion! I am taking a break from teaching 1st grade because I had aortic valve replacement a year ago. It is not safe for me to be around children because of the corona virus.
I am so excited to be in this process with you all!
Norma Beasley
Hi guys,
Welcome to this great group of writers. I am happy to join you. As stated in the video, I’m a transplant from New York.Moved to Orlando in 1984 to continue my career with Harcourt Inc. an international publisher of elementary educational books and materials. I retired in 2003 as a managing art director after 35 years with the company and live in Metro West.I am a published author of memoir (Living Inside Out) in 2019. FWA (Florida Writer’s Association) acknowledged me as a semi-finalist in writing my book. In early 2020, FAPA(Florida Authors and Publishers Association) awarded my book cover “Gold” as a first place winner. Currently, I teach second graders language arts and basic math at ACE,a new K-8 school in downtown Orlando. I also work with Eccleston in the community outreach program. I want to produce a picture book for at risk kids on race.
Holly martinez
I applaud you on your published book and for your award on your beautiful cover. You are a wonderful inspiration and one I hope to follow.
Ricki Aiello
As most of you know, I have been in ministry for about 33 years. I hadn’t expected to go into this vocation, but a series of events led me to accept a call. Though I have lived in a variety of locations and enjoyed the blessings of seaside living not once, but twice, I now live in a small suburban town in northern Connecticut. My sons, their spouses, and my grandchildren live in the same town.
About 3 years ago, after renting a condo for the 2 years immediately following my retirement from full-time ministry, I decided to purchase a house…my first ever home. Though it seemed risky to invest in such a large expense at my age and with reduced income, I decided to take the leap. I haven’t regretted the decision. I love my little ranch, particularly the office I’m writing this post in. To finally have a place to call my own – if you don’t count the bank who invested in me – is a dream come true.
Since June of 2015, I have explored creative writing and have taken numerous classes, submitted and published some of my efforts, and been a member of a writing critique group. Every step on this creative journey has been a joy. I look forward to the time over the next year to read and write with this amazing group of writers.
Vern
Fellow writers,
I am farm kid from Minnesota. Spent my earning career throughout the Midwest and Eastern U.S. Returned to Minnesota to prepare for another chapter in my life, a life of serving rather than earning. With ordination as a Catholic deacon, I have been able to make ministry an important part of my life purpose as I age. I am married. Diane and I have six daughters, four son’s-in-law, and nine grandchildren. For the last six years we have enjoyed winters in our Apollo Beach, FL home.
A few years ago, our fourth daughter, Laura, asked that I share my early life as the oldest of twelve children on a Minnesota dairy farm. In October, 2019, I began the adventure of writing classes and writing stories. At this time I have about twenty-five rough drafts completed. I hope to publish a book of forty to fifty stories by 12-1-2021.
Thanks, Vern
Kelly Marie Dawson
HELLO!
I would like to Introduce myself. My Name is Kelly Marie, I Live in Spokane WA. I have been a hair designer since 1985. I have been practicing Yoga and other healing modalities since 2012. I joined Life Writers to share my Spiritual Journey through writing my Memoir.
My awakening began in 2009 when I was Diagnosed with COPD. I began a walking meditation to heal my lungs and the connection with nature assisted me on my journey. I also had another transformation in 2012 when I decided to quite drinking alcohol. I was numbing my emotions and traumas and soon realized that I had to change my lifestyle. My story unfolds as I begin to live a life of self-study. The lessons and emotional healing has given me the strength to move forward and share with others how I developed a practice of understanding WHO I AM as I turned inward to heal.
I am looking forward to the community of Life Writers who will assist me on my writing path. I am hopeful that I may give my wisdom to others and provide the insights that may not have been seen. I write intuitively and I am thankful to have a Sacred Space to share me with You.
KMD
Holly martinez
Welcome Kelly Marie, I think you are in the right place, the “Life Writers” I look forward to reading more about your sharing..
beckymcg19
Hello to old and new friends. My name is Becky McGregor and I live in Orlando Florida with my husband Bruce. While growing up I moved almost every year, so I’m not really from anywhere. But in March of 1995 my family moved to Orlando and we are still in the same house. I’m a mother of 4, grandmother of 6 and care taker of 3 very old cats (21, 17, 17). With Patricia’s help I finished my first book (A Dream called Kristy) and got it published. I won a silver medal from the Florida Writers and Publishers Association. This was a shock to me, but it was so wonderful to have strangers say that the book was good. My next book will be a true love story, about my life with my husband. I’m writing it for Bruce and my Family. I have 10 stories written, but there is so much more to write. I’m hoping this group will keep the pressure on me to write more each week. Looking forward to getting to know the people I don’t and to continue our friendship with the people I know.
Kathy Ashton
Hello: My name is Kathy Ashton and I live in Zellwood, Florida. I moved to Orlando in 1968 with my new husband and had three children. Well, the marriage didn’t last, but I loved Florida so decided to stay. I have never written anything, but would like to see if I can. I want to write a memoir on what it was like starting back to college at 43 years old. I enjoyed “meeting” you on the video, I am sorry I had to miss that night. I am looking foward to getting to know you and your stories.
Deborah Hunt Repp
Hello all, I’m Deborah. I was born and grew up on a livestock farm in Atlantic,Iowa; spent 2 years at Christian College in Missouri, then went to Boston and trained as a secretary. I worked in the financial industries there and then moved to New York City with husband #1. I lived near Lincoln Center and Central Park West and walked to work on 46 Street and Park Avenue most workdays for 25 years. I usually worked for the Chairman or Presidents of a couple different large corporations. I was diagnosed with MS when I was 32. I continued to work, returned to college at nights to get a BA. When I was 46 I became disabled, and returned to my roots in Iowa. There I met best husband, #3 and — farmer husband Raymond. He died in 2008 of cancer. After that, I traveled extensively off and on for 6 years. I live in Perry Iowa on my corn and soybean farm. I met Patricia about 2 years ago in the Villages Florida where I have a house. Because of my varied life, I have rousing stories to relate about the wonderful, charming individuals I’ve met, and about the unusual crooks, scoundrels, businessmen and women, I’ve met along the way. I’m calling the stories, My Vignettes. I hope and need to gain some discipline and better computer skills.
Jacqueline Trudeau
Hello, Life Writers!
My name is Jackie Carlson Trudeau and I spend winters in Gainesville, Florida and summers in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. The leaves here are turning glorious shades of gold, red and orange as the nights grow colder; while longtime residents remember more vivid colors from other years when there was no drought.
I grew up in rural Massachusetts and often write about life in a family of five children, as well as the extended family who lived nearby. As a young woman, I moved to Central Florida with my spouse and two children when the airport (MCO) was located near McCoy Air Force on Colonial Drive and Disney World was under construction.
My interest in genealogy led me to reading about the history and background of a 12-generation family in New England (mother) and immigrant grandparents from Sweden (father). My mother-in-law, Laurette, recorded her family history with me over several months and I shared that recording with my husband’s five siblings after her death. I wish I’d had a smart phone to take a video at that time!
I have always been a writer, including annual holiday letters, personal journals and diaries, long letters to friends and several travelogues. Life Writers is just what I need to create more stories, and I look forward to working with all of you!
Terry Deer
Hello, fellow Life Writers! I live just west of DeLand, Florida, north of Orlando, in what was my parents’ retirement home on the banks of Lake Beresford and the St. Johns River (which is taking over a small corner of the backyard at the moment, due to all the rain; I wish I could send some to California). I’m an AF brat, born at Fairchild AFB in Spokane 68 years ago. I connected with Patricia through a mutual friend and have taken a couple of short classes through Writing Your Life, all on Zoom during these COVID days. Fiction is where my heart is, but I agree with Patricia that good writing is good writing, and I’ve learned a great deal from her in the course of testing the memoir waters. At the moment, I’m working on a memoir of the three years my family lived in England, beginning when I was six. The major challenge is my fallible memory, so I am doing as much research as writing. I have enjoyed the free writing evenings and the chance to network with other writers. When I’m not working on the memoir or short fiction, I am slowly writing scenes from a fantasy novel that has been taking shape in my imagination for about ten years.
Sharon Rhyce
Hello Everyone,
I’m Sharon and I live in Valrico, FL. I am a transplant from Miami, where I grew up most of my life. I’m a retired teacher and enjoyed teaching fourth grade writing. I recently attended the writing classes at the local Bloomingdale Library and those classes, along with the best facilitators have given me the fuel to creatE an anthology of stories by adoptees. I was born in Frankfort, Germany and adopted by a family of a totally different cultural background. My parents that raised me were wonderful people. I did experience my own shock at age 52 to learn at that age I was adopted! This took awhile to process but I’m hoping my anthology will provide some closure as well as let people know they are not alone on this journey. I have three grownWonderful kids that have flown the nest and am blessed with a good hubby of 42 years so I think I’ll keep him.😊 Glad to be here!