The old wisdom, that people who love to write first loved to read, is true about me. My parents started me on the road to becoming an avid reader and, eventually, a writer. When I was a child, I loved the weekly trip to the grocery store with mom and dad because I always got to pick out new Little Golden Books, small fragilely-bound treasures that eventually I read to my own children. Then there were the bedtime stories, heroic tales and fantasies that more often than not kept me awake conjuring my own stories. But it wasn’t until seventh grade, when I had to compose a fictional action scene for a seventh grade English class, that I became hooked on writing for self-expression and pure pleasure. As I often point out, that was also the last time I wrote anything short.

"I wrote teen "romances" stories" in High School

Throughout high school, I wrote teen "romance" stories that I shared only with my sister and a friend. I never took a creative writing course and didn’t have a clue what terms like "point-of-view" or "scene and sequel" or "writer’s voice" meant. Still, with more enthusiasm than skill or style, I brainstormed plotlines, created tension between my characters, and brought my prototype heroines and heroes together in a happy ending. I guess you could say romance writing was in my blood. It certainly was in my future.

"A friend declared me a romance writer"

After I married and had two children, I continued to write for my own pleasure and amusement. My sister lent me her portable typewriter and I pounded out stories whenever I could take a break from changing diapers, keeping house, and working various part-time jobs. Then, fifteen years ago, I showed one of my manuscripts to a friend who immediately declared me a "romance writer," asked me to become a member of her critique group, and invited me to attend a meeting of the local Romance Writers of America chapter to which she belonged.

Association with that first critique group and later RWA helped me hone my craft, learn the business side of publishing, and meet a network of incredibly talented, dedicated, and supportive people who, like me, loved to read and write romance. At that point, as well, I began to believe that perhaps I could reach and entertain a broader audience than myself, my family, and trusted friends.

"Spirit of the Heart"

Belief became reality when I sold my first book, a paranormal romance entitled "Spirit of the Heart," to LionHearted Publishing in 1995. Then, in 2001, Awe-Struck/Earthling Press bought and released my contemporary romance "Teacher, Teacher." I’m happy to announce that in August 2004 ImaJinn Books will publish my first futuristic, "Marista," a story that is truly the "book of my heart." ImaJinn will also publish another of my contemporary paranormal romances, "Miracles and Magic," in 2005.

FF&P: Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal

I particularly enjoy writing in what has become known as the FF&P – futuristic, fantasy, and paranormal – sub-genre of romance. I’ve always been curious and tried to keep an open mind about non-traditional philosophies, mysticism, and human experiences that can’t be explained away by reason, logic, or science. My first published book, "Spirit of the Heart," is, in fact, a ghost story. Recently, I’ve been studying about the resurgent Wiccan religious traditions, perhaps because of the emphasis these traditions place on the natural world and the elevation of the feminine spirit within that world. Unfortunately, I haven’t yet found a satisfying way of wrapping a story around the quiet but compelling essence of Wiccan philosophy and practice.

Barbara Cary - 2 (Continue)