The Versatile Blogger Award ...

I was recently nominated for this Fantastic Award by Linda Benson, one of my BFAs (best friend authors) from Musa Publishing. She has a great blog called—you ready for this—Linda Benson. The girl’s so original! Thank you very much, Linda! I am honored!

So, in all due haste, I will now tell you the rules of this award:

1. In a post on your blog, nominate 5 fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.
2. In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.
3. In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you in a post with a link back to their blog.
4. In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.
5. In the same post, include this set of rules.
6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs.

Are we having fun yet? Hope so!

So, without further ado, here are seven things about me:

Number One: I’m a late bloomer when it comes to being a writer. As a young girl, I never sat in my bedroom conjuring up stories on a pad of paper. Nope. But I did make up stories in my head all the time. I plotted, structured, and imagined my characters in different scenarios fighting against the bad guys. Then, as if making a game of it, I’d rewrite in my head over and over again. Who knew this would prepare me for my present role as a writer!

Number Two: I used to own a graphic trade shop with my hubby for over 20 years (I started young, and just leave it at that). We did the graphics on make-up tubes, aerosol cans, yogurt or ice cream containers, and promotional cups for movies. At first there were no computers, so it was hands on all the way! FYI—the company is still going strong!

Number Three: I’ve been in a burning building wearing a full-on firefighter uniform complete with an oxygen tank. Let me explain: a friend used to teach fire fighting on the Air Force base we used to live near. He invited me along for a “burn”—deliberate fires being set inside concrete buildings built specifically to train student firefighters. I’m telling you I have such a deep respect for fire fighters after that experience. The smoke was so thick in the building that I had to put my hand right against my mask to see it! Yikes!

Number Four: I’ve participated in a Native Awareness course. This was designed specifically for the military, but civilians could enroll too. Elders from different tribes came to teach us about their way of life, and we got a chance to walk in their shoes, especially when we learned about how Natives were treated in the past (and sadly still are in the present). It was also the first time I got to go into a sweat lodge. One of the elders, Bill Sault, became a dear friend, and I named a character after him—Amanda Sault.

Number Five: I love, love, love single malt scotch—the older the better. I also like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain…

Number Six: I used to work for the local animal shelter. That illustrious career lasted 14 months. After going to the emergency three times within two months—the doctors got to know me by name—I started to have second thoughts about this new profession. I love animals, but I also loved writing. The animals somehow taught me to be “my own best friend”, and get back to what I really loved to do—write books! Thank you, Fido and Kitty!

Number Seven: I’ve recently been contacted by One Match, as a possible bone marrow donor. This organization matches bone marrow transplant recipients with donors. This is something near and dear to my heart—to make a difference in someone’s life by giving them a second chance. I’ll keep you posted!

And now, my picks for the nominations for “The Versatile Blogger” goes to:

Amaleen Ison: http://www.amaleenison.com/

Kevin Craig: http://kevintcraig.wordpress.com/

Cornell DeVille: http://cornelldeville.blogspot.com/

L.K. Mitchell: http://pocketfulofcharms.blogspot.com/

S. G. Rogers: http://childofyden.wordpress.com/