Don't waste too much time here - go read my stories - please! :D

However ... if you're curious, here's what you ought to know about me (and why my perspective is the way it is): I love to write stories. I wrote and illustrated lots and lots of stories when I was a teen, but my life went in a different direction for a time and I stopped writing. Most of my stories are within the Tamora Pierce categories and most of them are complete. Alternate Universe (AU) stories are my favorites, but I like drabbles and songfics, too. I may actually get my act together and write a real book someday, but for now, I'm enjoying the community of talented and creative writers on this site. I am amazed at the abilities of the (mostly) young writers here - it's very inspiring. Also, I am a 1985 Graduate of USMA (West Point), as well as a combat veteran, a military wife, and a stay-at-home mom of two fabulous teenagers. It's safe to say that a lot of my own life experiences end up being woven into my stories.

Favorite Authors: God, Madeline L'Engle, Tamora Pierce, Mercedes Lackey, Orson Scott Card, Avi, Susan Cooper, Rick Riordan, Cassandra Clare, Diana Gabaldon, and many more

Favorite Movies/Shows: It's A Wonderful Life, Star Wars, Star Trek, Law & Order, The Dead Zone, Battlestar Gallactica, What Not to Wear, Criminal Minds, Mythbusters

Why do I like Tamora Pierce's stories so much?: She has created a world of believable characters with whom I can relate. I know lots of women , including myself, who are very much like Alanna and Kel. We endured all kinds of hazing at the military academy, some bold and some subtle, but we perservered (overcame the Ralons and Jorens), graduated (earned our shields), and served our country at peace and at war (amongst the Bazhir and against the Scanrans of our world). Most of my yearmates are retired from active duty now. Most of us are moms and a few are even grandmas already. We hope our daughters and grandaughters will continue to graduate from our nation's military academies and help the men of our world see us as great soldiers who also just happen to be women - just like Alanna and Kel. ;D

Hmm ... what else?:

1.) I'm a member of a round robin writing group, ridergroup_16, and our first story is 'To Fight To Love To Live.' It's a lot of fun to work with other writers, and I hope a lot of readers will enjoy our story.

2.) Lotti's Lot and I were writing together as Dawn of the Sky on another AU K/J story, 'Uncommon Attraction.' Unfortunately, Lotti has had to stop writing for a while, so the story has been on hiatus for a long time. As of 01/11/11, I haven't heard from her in well over a year, so if anyone is interested in me finishing the story on my own, please drop me a line.

3.) I have been a judge for several rounds of the The Ficship Competitions. All complete Tamora Pierce stories (from all of the sub-categories) are eligible for nomination. Also, there is a community for the finalists of all the Ficship Competitions, to make browsing for great stories a bit easier. Check it out from Sweet Sassy Sarah's profile.

You may find the forum at the link below, or in the Song of the Lioness category.

Check out the already-nominated stories, the chat thread, the archives and more at: http://forum.fanfiction.ws/forum/The_Ficship_Competitions/54838/

4.) Some of my other favorite places to hang out are: Goldenlake Forum , Words of TP , and The King's Own .

Happy reading!!