I want to thank you, Jeanette, for taking
the time to talk with me today.
Can you tell us a
little bit about yourself?
I have dabbled at writing and published in the healthcare world for over
25 years. My first piece was a newspaper
article about death with dignity. It
took until I was age 50 to finally give myself permission to write what I love,
stories about strong, independent women who changed their corner of the world. I am intrigued by aviation, the military
life, and the deep South. I live out on
a sheep farm in northeast of Dallas.
What is your favorite quality about yourself?
I am a
dynamic, tenacious, go-getter. Like many
of the women I write about, I just won’t accept “NO” if I feel strongly about a
project or an issue. I will find a way
to make it happen. That is unsettling
for many people, but it is what makes me tick.
What made you want to be a writer?
I love
telling stories. When I write a story,
it unfolds in my head like a movie. The
words and sights, sounds and actions just flow out onto the page. The blank page is my canvas to share with
the world.
How long
have you been writing? Since I was
twenty one. First for newspapers, then
trade publications. I was elated at
getting my first $25 check for column I wrote in RN magazine.
Why did you choose to write this particular book?
The minute
I heard this story from the lead character, for it is based on true events, I
knew I had to write FLYING SOLO. I just
couldn’t imagine the moxy it took for my character to break free of a bad
marriage with domestic violence, learn to fly a plane, support herself and then
break free! All in the 1960s. Women just didn’t take those kind of
chances. When she stole the plane, I
knew this had to be a book. The other
theme in the book is that sometimes in life, the choices we make have difficult
consequences. Nora, the lead learns that
too. Plus, the setting, New Orleans,
Mardi Gras, aviation and a gorgeous Navy pilot instructor. My favorite things. How could I not write about it? I was elated when the lead gave me the
permission to tell it. She kept parts
of it hidden for years. Many people
think it should be a movie. I do too.
How did you come up
with the title?
When my sister heard about the story, she suggested the title. I immediately agreed. It really is all about learning to take care
of yourself and not just settling. It’s
about a strong women who finally got the courage to do what was best for her
and her children.
What do you do when
you are not writing?
I love people and love to talk, so I teach in my original profession
nursing. I manage and teach at the high
fidelity simulation lab. Which means, I
get to play in make believe all day!
Sweet!
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Due to the
high demand, from the thousands that have read FLYING SOLO, I am fast at work
on the sequel. Everyone wanted to know
what happened next. The book ends with
a bit of a cliff hanger. The sequel
takes the characters to the Vietnam War.
Her pilot takes flight in an A-4 Skyhawk off the USS Coral Sea. Nora goes over as a USO singer, because they
won’t let women fly in combat. SOLO
VIETNAM should be out in Spring of 2013.
I am writing away.
How and where can we purchase your book?
The best
place to purchase a personalized, signed copy is: 
It will be a keepsake when a movie is
made. However, it is also available in
print and ebook at Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble
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