Education: East Carolina University; University of North Carolina Wilmington:   majoring in languages(emphasis English grammar and creative writing and French) and philosophy- religion. 40 years later I went a little nuts and re-enrolled in college (2008) I am currently attending a north Virginia university and studying theology with a view toward elevating my degree(Liberty University).

Married for 30+ years to husband John. One son; one grandson. I also have a step son from my husband's first marriage. We call florida our home now but spend a lot of time in the Carolinas. My sister lives in Savannah, Ga.

My ancestry dribbles all the way back through the War of Northern Aggression (Civil War for those of you who are not Southern). The list includes names such as Langford, Pinckeny, Rivers, Cleland,Youmans, Parrish, DeSassure, Warth, Moultrie, Traegar, Arndt and DeLoach. As a descendant of Eliza Pinckney, I married a descendant of Samuel Horry.The Tullifinny, May, Cooper, Santee, Savannah and Cosaw rivers run in my veins. The Low Country is my home and though I may leave it; it will never leave me. Life in the South since the 1940's has affected and directed my stories.  Although caucasion, I spent time as a child on Daufuskie Island in the care of a Gullah woman who had worked for my grandfather in his oyster business. I still hang blue bottles in the trees to keep away the bad spirits. I would paint my front door blue if my daughter-in-law would let me get away with it.

I believe that as a writer you must write about the things you know or have lived. You will find myself and my friends hidden in the characters in my books.

One of my best friends summed it all up when she gave me this shirt for Christmas last year. It says "CAREFUL OR YOU WILL END UP IN  MY NOVEL" (she DID). You would be amazed at how many people want a chapter devoted to them.

In  my previous college days I studied languages and religions. My Philosophy and Religion professor was my mentor and he opened up my brain and eyes with lost and forgotten books of religions and histories.  I would give anything to be able to study in the Holy Land but the current conditions there prevent such a thing in safety. I feel an affinity with the world at the beginning of the mystery religions and Gnosticism and Christianity. I am curretly expanding my knowledge in the arena of  Theology.

I wish I could have studied archaeology when I was younger but if the situations in the mid east were better, I would jump at the chance to do it now; brittle bones and  all!

I look forward to one day owning a place on Daufuskie Island where I can write and be close to this island Garden of Eden.