Shea Berkley has seduced men, fought vampires, boxed Irish mobsters, invaded siren waters, ran a covert military mission in the jungles of South America, killed evil thingies that go bump in the night and far more on her journey as a storyteller. The world of make-believe is her preferred hang out, but when she’s forced to associate with reality, she has been known to speak to writers’ groups and mentor those interested in honing their writing craft. As a reward for her hours and hours of fun, she has finaled multiple times in several writing contests including 3 times in RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart contest. She writes primarily general fiction and young adult fiction as her large and noisy family runs wild, terrorizing the neighbors.
Shea isn’t much of a contest junkie, but she has finaled in the Golden Heart® contest three times: Irish Dream (2006 Single Title); Dark Secrets (2009 Mainstream with Romantic Elements); Shattered (2010 Young Adult).
Being woefully incompetent in the technology arena (I’m terrified of On Demand TV and TiVo … okay, I don’t even know what TiVo is or if I’m spelling it correctly), Shea only has a personal email account and group blog. She’s been harassed by others to do a personal blog and website, but she finds her brain begins to wander every time someone mentions the challenge. You can find her most days trolling The Ruby Slippered Sisterhood with her lovely and talented “sisters” and usually getting in the way of progress.
And now a little about Shea’s Golden Heart Finaling manuscript…
According to Shea, “Although I love to write for adults, I have a house full of teenage girls, so it was a natural step for me to write YA. I love the stories because they’re so broad, and even though the readers are pushing toward adulthood, they still have that edge of childish fun and awe that can be tapped into when writing for them. My Golden Heart finaling book is called SHATTERED and it’s told primarily from the young hero’s POV. I love writing stories that feel real to life, and then twist them into a fantastical journey, and that’s exactly what I do with Dylan, my young hero.”
At seventeen, Dylan is the son of a teenage runaway who acts as if he’s more of a bother than a blessing. Something buried deep in his childhood scared his mother so much that it changed her view of him. It was the beginning of his fall from grace and a journey into a life that no one in their wildest dreams could have imagined, because who in their right mind would believe he was a creature from another realm? With a newfound power that defies logic, Dylan is more than just different, he’s dangerous, and now he has to make a choice. Save his own skin (something he’s used to doing) or save a beautiful girl (the only person who’s ever made him feel loved), knowing he’ll most likely die while trying.
I asked Shea to answer a few questions so we could all get to know her better. Here are her answers:
1) How long have you been writing?
I’m fairly confident I knew how to write when I was five, but I could be kidding myself. The ABC’s did not come naturally to me. Being dyslexic I struggled to get the gist of why reading and writing were supposed to be so amazing. Seriously, it just looked like a bunch of letters strung randomly together for so long, I fought the process of writing even after I finally figured out how to read.
2) Did you always want to be an author or is this something you fell into later in life?
Fell is a fairly good description of how I became a writer, though I guess caving to peer pressure would be more accurate. Let me explain.
I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota.
What can a gal say about Fargo? It’s flat, cold, windy and has loads of cows and other farm animals and acres and acres of wheat. But let me tell you, it’s a place that encourages imagination. (#1 activity when I was young? Cloud gazing. I’m pretty sure I was my mom’s version of a tornado warning system.)
I had a best friend named Constance. She was weird, and not because she lived on a goat and chicken ranch, but because she liked to read and write stories. I was nine, and not good at reading or writing, but Connie pushed me. We would hunker down for hours and hours making up stories and run wild playacting. It was my first taste of creating something more permanent than what I imagined in my head. I wish I could say I couldn’t wait for our writing sessions, but reading and writing was such a struggle … Dyslexia is quite the bear to wrestle.
And then at sixteen, my mom tossed a book at me. (Never fear, I played dodge ball and it didn’t hit me … hard.) The paperback was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Let me tell you, that book changed my life. I loved it – the heroine was spunky, the hero was poetic – and I consumed every romance I could find, and then branched out into other genres. When I finally got to college, I had conquered the bulk of my dyslexia. There were, and still are, a few areas that give me grief … but a major boost to my self-esteem came from my English professor who told me I had talent and pushed me to write more. I didn’t. Instead, I got married and started a family.
Being a mom of five is like volunteering to be hog-tied and burned at the stake … for fun. (Why don’t more people eat their young?) Luckily (for my kids) I didn’t turn cannibalistic and discovered how writing could be cathartic, just like my English professor said it would be.
So, did I want to be a writer? Yes and no. I fought it from the day I met Connie, and only when it became apparent putting words on paper would counteract my plunge toward the kind of insanity only childbearing brings did I find how much I really loved the process.
3) What do you do in your “other” life? (Day job, family, etc.)
Seriously? I have five kids. My job is to make sure they don’t harass the neighbors, and then play dumb when the cops come knocking on my door.
I also teach online writing classes. It pays worse than indentured slavery for the time I put into the lessons and writing exercises, but I love the craft and want to help others love it too.
4) Who are your favorite authors?
This is really, really difficult. I read a lot and in a multitude of genres. My favorite authors change as soon as I pick up a new book. Does that make me fickle? I’d like to think it makes me well-rounded story wise.
5) Do you have an agent?
I do have an agent. The lovely and energetic Laurie McLean of Larsen and Pomada Literary Agency. She’s knowledgeable, and fierce and in my corner, in other words, she’s everything an agent should be.
6) Where do you see yourself in five years?
You know, this question always baffles me. I’m not one to look too deeply into the future. I live for the present as much as possible because I’m not guaranteed tomorrow, and frankly it’s hard enough getting today right.
But if you’re going to be persistent with this question …
I’d like to be multi-published with a rabid fan base that makes me blush all the way to the bank.
(grin) I am an optimist if anything. But then again, in five years I might go insane and think I’m at the Disneyworld riding rollercoasters and eating calorie-laden food when in actuality I’m sitting in a car sipping a chocolate, nutritional supplement and trying not to drool on myself. Honestly, just so long my kids aren’t allowed to experiment on me, I’ll be content.
(Disclaimer: all references implying my children are the spawn of Satan or have criminal intentions or are evil in any way other than that cute impish way all children act when being darn adorable are just the figment of this author’s imagination. Really. Well …)
And now, in Shea’s own words…
How personal do you want to get?
It’s a question every writer has to ask him/herself. The one thing I’ve learned about writing lately is that writing is personal. It has to be.
When we write, it has to make us catch our breaths. It must reveal something of the human condition that might make us uncomfortable or proud or elicit some kind of response. It has to stir emotion, whether it brings out a soul cleansing laugh or a body-shaking sob. To bring out those emotions for our readers, we have to take risks. We have to dig deep and live the moment with our characters.
So, how can we get in touch with our characters? Although the world sees us as authors, we’re actually more like actors. We have to put on the skin of our characters and write from their personal point of view – how they see the world or to be more exact, revealing their opinion about the world. Every character will have an world POV from the main characters to the walk-ons and as writers we’ve got to show that by the way each of them interacts with others.
So, if you’ve got a guy who has become disillusioned by life, he’ll sport a cranky outlook. His demeanor will be steeped in woe-is-me until someone rescues his attitude and shows him a bigger, better purpose. Think of Luke Skywalker. His character is petulant and he finds no worth in his current life. Not until everything is taken from him does he see how wonderful he had it, and then he’s pulled, kicking and screaming into a purpose far greater than he ever imagined. By the end, he knows he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing even if there are risks and real life-threatening dangers all around.
In fact, that same scenario can be attached to Scarlett O’Hara. She is so consumed with her petty wants, that when everything is taken from her, she is thrown into disarray. She fights the system of war, grasping at the edges of the life she once knew, keeping things together by bent of will. It’s the way Margaret Mitchell brings out the passion of emotion in Gone with the Wind that keeps us reading about a spoilt, unlikeable woman who deserves what’s coming to her.
Let me give you the best piece of advice I can. “Lack of emotion is deadly. It’ll kill every scene.” I’m not sure who said that, but whoever said it was brilliant.
They say finding the emotion and putting it on the page is the last thing most writers learn to do before they’re published. Do you agree that emotion is important? How do you bring out emotion on a page?
June 8th, 2010 at 9:45 am · Link
Hi Shae, great post. With five kids I’m amazed you can get any writing done, but it looks like you’ve been really successful.
I think putting emotion on the page goes back to GMC. If your character has a goal, wants it bad enough and can’t get it, you’re almost guaranteed emotion.
Bringing out emotion is a lot trickier. You have to show the character reacting. I like watching television without sound. You can usually tell when the character is surprised, disgusted, impatient. It’s all in the body language.
June 8th, 2010 at 9:59 am · Link
>>Shea isn’t much of a contest junkie
*cough*right!*cough*
Admit it, hon! We’ll still love you.
Major congrats on the GH nomination and great blog post on emotion. The tricky thing is I sometimes *think* I can write a cold, impassive character and leave the emotion out, but not so! I recently had a light bulb moment when I was asked to make a taciturn character more intriguing by actually adding more in his POV. Who’d have thunk it?
I also liked Cat’s comment about body language. The emotion has to show in everything that’s happening on screen, doesn’t it.
Major congrats again and best of luck!
June 8th, 2010 at 10:33 am · Link
Hey Cat, my kids are mostly grown up now, I’ve one out of college and two still in college and two in high school, so writing is definitely much easier. They’re great to bounce ideas off of sort of like, “Hey does this sound cool?” Or “Would you read this and tell me if it sucks?” My kids are brutal and have no problem telling me how pathetic I am when the occasion calls for it. (They call it tough love, I call it a necessary evil I put up with to further my career.)
Watching TV with the sound off is a great trick. I’m going to try it. 😀 Thanks for stopping by. — Shea
June 8th, 2010 at 10:38 am · Link
Hey Jeannie! I’m so glad you stopped by, sister!
You know, contests are great, but they’re expensive. I’ve learned to really pick and choose the ones I go for. My number one contest is the Golden Heart. I don’t enter every year, though, nor have I finaled every year I’ve entered. I love good feedback, and contests are wonderful for that if I’m waffling on an idea.
I honestly can’t stress enough how important emotion is for a story. Even the most action packed one should have a connection the reader can latch onto, and when it does, they just can’t put the book down.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:59 am · Link
Shea, you always make me grin. Can’t wait to read your books. Congratulations on 3!! GH finals and I’ll be cheering for you in FLorida. (Great questions, Elisabeth)
June 8th, 2010 at 11:18 am · Link
I soooo plan on being part of your rabid fan base!
>>>They say finding the emotion and putting it on the page is the last thing most writers learn to do before they’re published. Do you agree that emotion is important? How do you bring out emotion on a page?>>> This is brilliant – Yes, it’s the sucked-in’edness that really draws me to an author and keeps me coming back. Something I think we all want.
Good luck at Nationals, Shae!
June 8th, 2010 at 11:32 am · Link
Great post, Shea. I always learn something new about you in these posts. I wish you the best of luck at National, but moreover, a contract soon
–Gabi
June 8th, 2010 at 11:34 am · Link
First of all, Shea, congratulations on number three! It’s hard to believe you struggled so much with writing as a youngster. I would never have imagined that with your GH successes.
And the parallels you drew between Luke Skywalker and Scarlett O’Hara made me rock back on my heels. Wow. It’s true. Great loss can mold great heroes…and heroines.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
June 8th, 2010 at 11:40 am · Link
“Lack of emotion is deadly. It’ll kill every scene.” I’m not sure who said that, but whoever said it was brilliant!
Uhhh, that was me, remember? ;0) Just kidding, I rarely say anything worthy of quoting, mostly it’s just blather, as you well know. But the following is serious…
Good luck in Orlando, I have a feeling you’re going to win and I’m glad I’ll be there to see it. You deserve all the greatness that’s heading your way!
Tammy
June 8th, 2010 at 11:55 am · Link
Wonderful, hilarious interview, Shea!
Amazing that you’ve not only finaled three times in Golden Heart, but you’ve done it in three different categories! Wow! Sign of a fertile, creative brain (and, no, that wasn’t a childbearing joke).
Life at your house sounds fun!
June 8th, 2010 at 12:00 pm · Link
I totatlly laughed out loud reading that interview – so I spelled it out.
So very interesting and the blurb sounds sensational. I can see teens ripping it from the shelves and trampling adults at the checkout.
Can’t wait to see it one day. Now off to take care of my fighting children. And it’s only the second week of summer break. Sigh.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:05 pm · Link
I’ve taken two of your on line classes, so you must know what a big fan I am. It’s hard to believe you’ve ever had trouble writing. The words just seem to flow from you fingertips like a gentle, magical spring that flows eternally.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm · Link
I’ve taken two of your wonderful on line classes, so you must know what a fan I am. It’s hard to believe that you once had difficulty writing. The words seem to just flow from your fingertips like a gentle, magical eternal spring.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:42 pm · Link
Hey Bev, thank you for the warm words. Hopefully one day you’ll be able to read one of my books. I’m working on it.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:42 pm · Link
Wonderful post, Shea! The first romance I ever read was Flame and the Flower by K. E. Woodiwiss and I fell in love with the genre too.
And I so understand having a ton of kids around. I have three and one crazy 65 pound puppy (kid #4) and since I have a husband who has a hard time putting dishes in the sink and underwear in the laundry basket, I count him kid #5 sometimes : ) It makes it hard to find time to write, but I too found out quickly when I stopped writing that my sanity was connected to creating lives that I could control (well until my characters take on lives of their own and I just have to hold on for the ride).
So glad you succumbed to peer pressure and wrote. Your prose in the post is so much fun. I can’t wait to read your YA!
June 8th, 2010 at 12:43 pm · Link
Bria,
Just so long you don’t bite, I’d love for you to be part of my rabid fan base. (giggle, snort) And I love your word sucked-in’edness. Too perfect for what books need to do.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:46 pm · Link
Hey Gabi, thanks for stopping by. I’d love a contract, so let’s hope some misguided … I mean courageous editor takes a chance on me.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:53 pm · Link
Hey Laurie, it’s nice to hear I can make sense every-so-often. I love the original Star Wars trilogy (sadly not a fan of the lastest ones). Luke’s evolution is a great example of how emotion can mold a character and make us care when we, the reader or movie goer, go along for the ride.
June 8th, 2010 at 12:59 pm · Link
Wow, Shea, what a wonderful post! I love all your career choices. I’ve slain a vamp or two myself, but I always end up in love with the darned things. Sigh…
Your writing is so fiercely stunning and awe-inspiring. I can’t wait for you to sell so I can say repeatedly, “Told ya so.” And I will. Have no doubt.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:01 pm · Link
Aww, Tammy. I girl’s lucky to have a critique partner like you who says such nice things. I don’t think I’ll win, but I love going to the parties and I’m truly happy for those who’ve stolen … I mean won the Golden Heart in the past categories I’ve finaled in at Nationals.
(For those who don’t know me, I’m kidding. I have only the utmost respect and affection for those who’ve taken home the prize of Golden Heart winner. I don’t have a bitter bone in my body. I am honestly, truly happy for them.)
June 8th, 2010 at 1:07 pm · Link
Hey Elisa.
I told my local RWA group I’m going for the record of finaling in every category. That would be a riot, huh?
My house is loud and not for the faint of heart. I’m sure you’d fit right in. (grin)
June 8th, 2010 at 1:09 pm · Link
Hey Liz. I think teens will like it. The ones who’ve read it so far really do and are clamoring for the next book, so I’m fairly positive I’m on the right track, but an editor needs to think the same thing. My agent is working on that.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:12 pm · Link
Cat, you crack me up. You’re the only one I know who’s taken my Layering Online Class two times in a row. I definately felt the pressure to give you amazing results. I can only hope I have. You’re awesome, and I’m flattered you even put up with me.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:14 pm · Link
Hi, Shea! I’ve always called writing “method writing” from “method acting,” so it was neat to read your take on it. Now just make sure there are no cameras in the room as you write some of those scenes, because yow! If you’re anything like me…those expressions! ;>
Fun blog!
June 8th, 2010 at 1:32 pm · Link
Hey Heather. I love Woodiwiss. She did some amazing things, and one of the most brilliant things she did was link emotion to character. She made me care about her characters in such a way that I wanted to be Shanna. She was my kind of girl, a tomgirl more interested in adventure than doing the girlie-girl stuff, and Rourke was my kind of guy. He was a real man that could woo a girl with words.
Irony: I married a quiet man. Love him to death, but his idea of romance is doing the dishes for me. It took me a couple of years to appreciate how truly romantic that is … and how his little acts of service speak more about his love for me than any pretty words he could say.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:35 pm · Link
Such praise coming from the next New York Times best selling author is praise indeed. And my tongue is not in my cheek when I say that, Darynda. I truly believe it. When people read your story, they’ll be crazed for more.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:36 pm · Link
Hey Doranna.
I like your spin. Method writing. Perfect for what we do.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:53 pm · Link
Shea! Congratulations on the latest GH final and Shattered sounds fabulous. As for emotion on the page–aren’t we supposed to slit our wrists and bleed on the page?
June 8th, 2010 at 2:12 pm · Link
Hey Diana,
Yes, we are. It’s painful, too. But it has to be done. I’ll bandage you if you bandage me. (grin) We’ll be known as the white banded sisters instead.
June 8th, 2010 at 2:23 pm · Link
Hi Shea,
Really fun post and I can’t wait to meet you and your wonderful sense of humor in Orlando! On a serious note, I was struck by your mention of struggling with dyslexia. My current WIP’s heroine has dyslexia and I’ve started my research on dealing with it in both teens and adults. I’ll have to pick your brain when it comes to making my character realistic.
As for putting emotions into my stories–it’s my main goal every time I sit down to write. I love deep emotion. I love slow-simmering emotions in relationships. I try to get deep into how a character feels and attempt to describe it. Sometimes it even works! Starting with Kathleen Woodiwiss and, then, LaVyrle Spencer, I fell in love with their long, descriptive, emotional romances. Sometimes I feel like a dinosaur, trying to sell deeply intricate, emotion-filled stories in a world of vampires, exploding bombs and “start with the action” directives!
I love the idea of watching TV with the sound down. I also love the TV show “Lie to Me” because it deals with such intricate body language — I take notes and try to use them in my own stories.
Good, good luck with your writing. I’m going to look up your classes now–they sound wonderful!
June 8th, 2010 at 2:26 pm · Link
Hi Shea,
Great to get to know you better 🙂 I find it hard enough to write with one little toddler and in one genre. You amaze me on many fronts! Best of luck.
June 8th, 2010 at 2:36 pm · Link
Hi Shea–
I just love reading everything you write. Guys, Shea’s stuff is as fun to read as the post was. And, you always inspire. One thing I so admire about you is your love of learning the craft. I think that’s a true strength in a writer.
Love the quote, and of course you know I’m a big fan of emotion, so love the topic and examples. So, I’m wondering if you have a trick or two you use to inject emotion in a scene that’s a bit flat? Any fave techniques when something isn’t quite ‘there’ yet?
Robin 😉
June 8th, 2010 at 3:01 pm · Link
Shea:
What a great interview!! And oh…you totally took me down my own romance reading memory lane. I LOVED “Shanna” and the entire Woodiwiss cannon. ” A Rose in Winter,” “Ashes in the Wind,” and “Shanna” are still three of my most favorite books.
Sending you the biggest wishes for the Golden Heart. I’ll be cheering for you!!!
Addison
June 8th, 2010 at 3:08 pm · Link
Hey Lizbeth. You can ask me anything you want about Dyslexia.
I love emotion rich stories too. Saga’s are awesome, but it appears they’re being steered more toward the mainstream crowd these days. I think we can still have deep emotion in books these days even with the “explosions” and the “get to the action” beginnings, but we’ve got to focus more on specifics than the broad rambling that we’ve loved reading in the past.
I’d love to have you in one of my classes. I don’t teach often, about once a year, but it would be fun seeing you there.
June 8th, 2010 at 3:13 pm · Link
Hey Heather. Thanks for the nice words. When my kids were little, I told them I was practically perfect in every way, just like Mary Poppins. I love kids. They’re so gullible.
June 8th, 2010 at 3:15 pm · Link
You are hilarious, Shea. And awe-inspiring. I can’t figure out how you have time to write! Like Heather, I find it challenging with ONE toddler.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Here’s hoping you have a sale to add to it very soon!
I think you were the first ruby sis I met last year — I look forward to seeing you again in Orlando!
June 8th, 2010 at 3:20 pm · Link
Hey Robin,
This is a test, huh? You’re seeing if I’ve paid attention the last five years. For those who don’t know, Robin is another of my critique partners so I get her expertise every Thursday when we meet. She’s awesome, and she’s speaking at Nationals again this year. I’ll be in the back heckling. It’s my job, don’t judge me. (grin)
Okay, So you want to know a trick to insert emotion? This is a trick question,huh, because we all know there are no shortcuts to emotion. You have to know your characters and view their portion of the scene from their world view. So if I’ve got a spy, he’s not going to trust easily because his whole life revolves around not trusting people. No one is ever who they say they are. Everytime he’s on scene, his demeanor or the way he looks at people and reacts to them is going to be colored by that flaw.
So there. No quick tricks, just honest hard work in slogging through the edits with a fine eye toward character. And I know how much you love character, miss Robin. (evil grin)
How’d I do Jedi master?
June 8th, 2010 at 3:32 pm · Link
Now, my daughter, going back to character…and hard work…why didn’t I think of that? 😈 (Thanks for the plug ;-))…but you can’t go. You have to go do Golden Heart stuff…surely there’s some event, any event…something…please…could someone arrange an event…?
Seriously, I love Robert McKee’s quote “Character is Story. Story is Character.” I guess we could mess with that one and talk about a memorable story is all in the emotion evoked in the reader. 😯
I do have a tip, actually, that I use in one of my workshops that’s interesting to try. Pick a powerful emotional word. You know, something like betrayal, fear, joy…then try to write a couple of paragraphs showing that emotion, but not using the word or any form of the word. The test…ask someone who doesn’t know which word it is to name that emotion. Kind of a fun exercise. I got it from Laura Baker who’s doing some workshops on writersonlineclasses soon.
June 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm · Link
Hey Addison. I adore Woodiwiss. THE WOLF AND THE DOVE is another one of hers I read over and over again. She did amazing things for the genre.
June 8th, 2010 at 4:12 pm · Link
Hey Sharon.
I remember meeting you, too … and you still like me? Weird. (grin)
I can’t wait to meet everyone at Nationals again. I’m jazzed it’s going to be in Orlando. I’ve never been. Let’s hope for tons of sales!
June 8th, 2010 at 4:21 pm · Link
Great interview, Shea! Congratulations on the three finals–and on getting your kids to even consider your work. My teens find Regency England only slightly less boring than dental floss or doing the dishes… 😉
June 8th, 2010 at 4:23 pm · Link
Fun post, Shea! Fargo, huh? I didn’t know that. I, too, can’t imagine how you get any writing done with five kids. And such wonderful writing, no less. You go, girl!
June 8th, 2010 at 4:44 pm · Link
Waving at ya, Shea, my fellow Ruby and 2010 GH sister! SHATTERED sounds excellent. I love that it’s from a boy’s POV as I’m always hearing editors are crying out for boy books.
I so agree that emotion in writing is the last thing you learn. I also think it’s the hardest aspect to master!
June 8th, 2010 at 4:45 pm · Link
well I’m slow to come to the party but glad I finally got here.
Great interview.
June 8th, 2010 at 4:49 pm · Link
Hello Shea…wonderful blog post. It was great to hear your story about how it all started. I’m very proud of your GH nomination. I’ll be there rooting you on and I’m SO looking forward to meeting you in Orlando. Best of luck, sweetie!
June 8th, 2010 at 5:29 pm · Link
Loved the blog on emotion. Honest emotion gets me everytime, as either a reader or a writer.
And as far as breathing goes, one of my favorite parts of developing a character, is when I feel the character breathe for the first time. I swear, I actually feel the character take an inhale and exhale. It is an awesome moment.
Looking forward to meeting you in Orlando.
June 8th, 2010 at 5:50 pm · Link
Hey, Shea! Nice interview.
June 8th, 2010 at 7:19 pm · Link
Gillian, my seventeen-year-old loves Regency England books. She’s always reading Jane Austen, and she uses the language sometimes. We all giggle at her, but she doesn’t care. She says Jane is her soul sister. She’s such a strange child, my Rachel.
June 8th, 2010 at 7:21 pm · Link
Hey Sarah! I know, Fargo. Who really comes from Fargo? Just me. Actually I’m shocked more writers don’t come from there. Even in the summer there’s not much shakin’ the trees … because there aren’t very many trees in North Dakota. Just buffalo grass and wheat. Lots of wheat.
June 8th, 2010 at 7:24 pm · Link
Vanessa! My competition! I hope you win. You come so far and you need a good price to take home to all those living upside-down … I mean, downunder. (grin)
Emotion is the hardest thing to master. It actually makes me weep trying to find the right words.