It's all about the words now...Lisa's weighs in (again..just try and stop me!)

This was Heidi and I last October terrorizing Juan Valdez as well as everyone else in the Juan Valdez cafe on 57th Street in Manhattan. It was our first meeting (not with Juan Valdez—with each other). We are the only two Wordslingers to have ever "met". We found out quite a few interesting things about each other, one of which was that she is tall and I am short.

Anyway, I guess this was my way of avoiding introducing myself. I am the partially anonymous Lisa A. When and if I land an agent, I suppose I will come "out" and reveal my full name. I am a professor of graphic design and an artist. But you see, writing has sort of taken over my life. It all started about four years ago when I had what seemed like the brilliant idea to illustrate a children's book. Man, was I excited. I finished said book, even did the illustrations, some of which I will even post on here at some point. It was after I had worked on the writing for two years I realized no one was going to want my book if I couldn't write. I threw myself into learning the craft of writing, joined one critique group, then another (this one, bless them!). By the time I realized I had written a Young Adult novel and no one was going to buy an illustrated young adult novel, it was too late. I was irrevocably a writer. Now I keep my shameful secret from my students. Sorry kids, pictures just don't do it for me anymore. It's all about the words, now.

At this point I have four partials out for my latest (second) YA. I have retired that poor noble first book. It served its purpose. It taught me how to write and for that I treasure it. Maybe someday I'll dust it off and take a cold hard look at the poor discarded wretch and see if it has any merit. For now, I'll just keep plugging away on my latest WIP. And keep hoping the good fortunes of three of my esteemed critmates will rub off on me!

TTFN
Lisa