Writing is like a ground blizzard, everything pops up at once and sometimes you just can't see the road.

The GentemannLiterary Agency
Alaskan by Choice, Writer, Editor, Coach

I was born in Germany and rasied as a military "brat," married a military man, lived all over the United States and Europe, settled in Alaska many years ago and don't plan to move.  I've been in 49 of the 50 states (Maine still to see,) love to travel and really enjoy returning to "The Last Frontier," Alaska. 

"Alaska is the place of my dreams.  I can be myself, explore and dream.  The sky is huge and varies in color daily, from the brightest blues to alpenglow oranges and purples, and the most huge clouds that float along making pictures of their own.  The mountains are like being wrapped safely in God's arms and the waters are fresh, filled with light and colors from teal to blue,grey and white. You never know what will pop up beside you,  a salmon, a trout, a beaver, an otter, a porpoise, a humpback, beluga, or an orca whale.

Wildlife visits frequently, a black bear comes every spring out of his hibernation and says hi.  He meets me frequently on the deck and at the garage door which surprises both of us every time.  Eagles fly overhead, their nest is on the mountain behind my house.  Moose wander by and check out my garden and leave their special berries.  I live in the Chugach National Forest and State Park with Mounts Magnificent and Baldy not too far away.  

Fishing is a hobby that I enjoy every summer.  Camping in the wilderness is a thrill and so peaceful.  It's so quiet.  Watching the sunrise and the sunset is a daily pleasure.  Long days in summer, the sun hardly goes down before it is up again, and crispy winter nights with dancing Auroras make for awesome settings in books.

Writing
The Best Job of All

WRITING is perhaps my most favorite job of all.  It includes making up stories, mentoring new writers, young and old alike, networking, designing, marketing, researching, organizing and much more.  It's a challenging job, one that has hundreds of different pieces that come together and make wonderful escapades, friends, relationships, creativieness and more. Most importantly, It doesn't matter what aspect of the job you take on, you have to be credible which keeps you on your toes.

No matter what,each of us will always have to write, whether it is for instant messaging, professional writing, filling out ledgers, a diary or a journal, whether we like it or not.  Want to complain about your Visa bill?  Eventually, the company will want a written report.  So, it is important to all of us.  Some of us will be great writers and some of  us will just get by.

My favorite part of writing is mentoring young people.  I do seminars and workshops for adults and kids on writing.  Talent is everywhere and it's good to pass on what you know that others may succeed as well.

 Editing is a part of writing.  I have been a foreign language acquisitions editor for Bertelsmann Media Group, editor of Adirondack Echoes, feature writer for various national magazines, children's page editor for Plattsburgh Alive and lots of other places and magazines.

Works to be available for purchase (that's what I've been told:)  Copper Tail Mysteries,  Dreams of the Everyday Housewife, a series, first book is, On Strike,  all fiction, and Home Waiting, non- fiction about families waiting and holding the home fort while their loved ones serve in the military

Works in progress:  Aurora's Curse, First Love Last Love,  In Search of a Chinaman, Once in a Lifetime, and Rio's Flame.

Upcoming events:  Bouchercon 2007, 28-30th September 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska.  Go to www.bouchercon2007.com for more info or send me an e-mail.

Alaska Romance Writers of America meeting June 26th at 6p.m.  See www.akrwa.org for location and and directions.

Hobbies

 I have many hobbies, desiging needlepoint and counted cross stitch is a time consuming but enjoyable time filler, not that I have much of that.  I love to read, cook, knit and crochet.  However, I have a hobby that might be strange to some people.  I teach young people how to shoot rifles.  It's important to me to teach safety more than anything else.  But I also have the pleasure of developing young athletes to become a part of the Junior Olympics.  I have seen several young people achieve their dreams of earning college athletic scholarships, become a part of the Olympic Team.  Watch out for them in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.                                                                  Working with these young athletes allows me to see just how dedicated, intelligent, caring, community-involved and academically successful they are.  If you want information about youth sports in riflery or shooting, you can contact www.USAShooting.org, the NRA and the 4-H near you.  Or me.

Many thanks go to my family who help with ideas and support.