I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for thirty-one years and to keep insanity at bay, I took up writing. Not to worry. The insanity isn’t catching – much. Other than the addiction to chocolate and the twitch in my left eye, I’m good. I’ve had my weird but true stories published in newspapers and magazines. My first book was The Ghost Wore Polyester, a murder mystery/comedy set in Sedona, Arizona. Just My Luck, a science fiction romance, was reviewed by Chris at Night Owl Romance and received four out of five hearts. Lisa at Joyfully Reviewed called it an incredibly fun read. I just finished the prequel The Warlord’s Comeuppance. I’ve also worked with producer, Bonnie Forbes of Fortress Features on several reality TV series.
When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing in 1985. I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea of what a real emergency is. Take this for an example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am, but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone, I took up writing.
What book am I reading now?
Karin Tabke’s Master of Craving. I read to escape (the psychotic neighbors) and I love a good historical where the good guy’s a bit on the scary side. Ya know, the big bad. And the love of the right woman turns him into a big ole’ pussy cat, with teeth.
What are your current projects?
I just finished The Warlord’s Comeuppance. It’s a prequel to Just My Luck which will be released July 10th. I just started Bunny The Equalizer, a paranormal romance. 911 Magazine is also publishing Reflections of a Demented Dispatcher, my true life story of the thirty-one years I worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and all the wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre behavior and outrageous demands I dealt with. The History of 911 will be published in August by 911 Magazine.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
The Warlord’s Comeuppance is a fast, fun science/fiction romance of how the ultimate big, bad pursues Detja, the best thief in the galaxy. Here’s a little preview:
Stealing from a warlord and giving him the one finger salute as I made my getaway was not the brightest thing I’d ever done. Okay, it was an incredibly stupid stunt. Did I mention that this particular Coletti warlord is the most feared in the entire galaxy? That Zarek’s the ultimate predator and even the other warlords are scared spit less of him? That he never ever stops until he either captures or kills his quarry? Yeah, I have the big, bad after me and all because of one little finger. Okay and a Ditrim crystal the size of my fist. Am I worried? Of course, only an idiot doesn’t fear a really angry Coletti warlord. But, I am very good at what I do. Bad news is, so is Zarek.
My name is Detja. The Enforcers call me the Ghost. As a master thief I must be a combination of magician and chameleon. The illusion of magic deflects attention away from the act and when things go to hell, like they sometimes do; the ability to blend into any situation or culture is a must. My looks are my biggest illusion. I’m a Farin, the fragile flowers of the universe. No one in a million years would ever expect me to be an extraordinary thief or powerful psychic. Everyone takes one look at my delicate frame and exotic features and dismisses me as harmless. Really big mistake on their part. I’ll admit that most Farin females are timid creatures devoted to domestic duties and incapable of doing harm to anyone. Me? I’m an anomaly, a genetic throwback to a time long, long ago when Farin females were warriors.
How long does it take you to write a book?
My first book, The Ghost Wore Polyester, took a year. My second, Just My Luck, came to me in a dream. Scout’s honor, a dream. A dream, that wouldn’t go away until I wrote it. I whipped that sucker out in about six months. I have a really vivid imagination but most folks just think I’m nuts. Hey, you work 9-1-1 for thirty-one years and see how sane you are.
What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?
Dogs, of course. They’re love on four legs and no matter how bad your day has been they always greet you with a kiss. Hey, a girl’s got to get it somewhere.
Do you hate how you look in pictures? Why or why not?
Ewwwww. All those wrinkles! I know I earned everyone of them, but yikes. Scary! And it’s little depressing when the men running shrieking in the opposite direction. Aw c’mon, I got a bag over my head, what more do they want?
What’s my strangest habit?
Talking to myself. It’s a dispatcher thing. Okay, it’s also a sign of insanity, but we won’t go there.
When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?
Eeeeek! Another wrinkle!
If you could wish for anything, what would it be?
World peace. Oh wait, that’s the Miss USA thing. I’d really love to go back to Australia and do the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock.
