Hi, I’m Evelyn, author of the award-winning Beyond the Rapids and the four books of the Outlawed Myth series, Flight of the Spark, Flicker of the Flame, Sting of the Scorpion and Flood of the Fire.
If you found my blog, you probably already know that. What you might not know is why I write this blog.
But first, a little about me.
I entered the world around the time of the unveiling of the microchip, the introduction of Japanese cars to the US, and postage stamps that cost four cents. My Saturday morning friends were Mighty Mouse, Dudley Do-Right and the Jetsons. Growing up, school was merely an interruption of my exploration of the worlds of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Louisa May Alcott and, later, JRR Tolkien.
While I loved to read, writing was another story. I almost have to say I hated it. So much that when it was time to think about choosing a college, I turned down an offer of a full scholarship, because I didn’t want to major in writing.
I know, not the smartest move.
Instead, I stayed in Pittsburgh where I grew up and did four years at the University of Pittsburgh. Then, I started moving west when I went to graduate school at The Ohio State University. My career in healthcare administration took me to Detroit, and then to St Louis. My plan was to return to Pittsburgh as soon as I could.
Instead, after ten years in the Midwest, I headed east to serve as a missionary in Russia. While I was there, I learned to love borscht, dress for the cold, and treasure liberty.
While in Russia, I traveled to Ukraine, where I met an amazing family whose story of perseverance and triumph in the face of intense persecution for their faith encouraged and inspired me in my own struggles. After my return to the US, I wrote of their experiences. After Beyond the Rapids won a Reader’s Favorite award, I began to think of using my love of books to fuel a new career, and start writing the kind of books I would love to read.
So I set out writing a novel. And it took me a lot longer than I thought it would.
Maybe because I’m a perfectionist, and want to create a truly entertaining read.
Maybe it’s because I’m a procrastinator. Or maybe just plain chicken, too scared to release my work to the world.
In short, writing a novel became more of an adventure than I thought it would be.
And along the way, I began noticing the adventures all around me. The ones I experience in my life. The ones I experience through the magic of reading. And ones I’ve been on in my quest to become not just a novelist, but a novelist whose books entertain and enchant, and leave the reader richer for having spent time in the work I created.
Another detour my life has taken has been starting a career as a ghostwriter and a copywriter. Based on my success, I was asked to write another memoir. And partly because I learned that being successful in the book business means learning to be a marketer, I’ve invested in learning to write advertising copy that sells.
By the way, I did finally get married after I returned from Russia, inheriting three stepdaughters, two step-grandsons, and a cat. My husband and I now live in South Carolina, where we are enjoying longer summers and lots of barbecue.
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Comments are welcome! I’d love to know what you think about any of my posts.
PS And just so you know, from time to time when I review books I include links to Amazon.com. These links are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy the book. You pay the same exact price. Doesn’t make me a lot of money, but it helps to cover the costs of this blog.
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