about me

Photo by Steve Gorton

Though I now live in England, I grew up in Arkansas and Oklahoma, and graduated from San Jose State University in California where I studied creative writing and playwriting. I worked as a technical writer in Silicon Valley and as a process analyst in England.

I'm active in Leicester Writers' Club, and meet with members weekly to receive feedback on my writing. I've had two plays published in England.

My first book MAMA GRACE was published for the Oklahoma Centennial celebration in 2007. I posted its two sequels, RUNNING FROM GRACE and FACING GRACE, here on Authonomy. I stuck with it until each broke into the 100s in ranking

Many thanks to all the people who have me feedback that helped me with these two books. I’m sure I am now armed with the best opening chapters I could possibly have as I seek publication. Being on this website has given me a greater appreciation for all the excellent authors out there and for the decisions publishers must make. Plus I got this feedback on FACING GRACE from Harper True Life:

You have written a quietly captivating book that manages to bring together strong characters, lots of different lives and stories, and does so with emotion, clarity and a great pace. I must admit to taking a few chapters to fully engage in your story, but once I had done so, it was very clear that you kept a very clear control on the characters and the different storylines. Telling so emotively of the traumas of your ancestors alongside your own difficulties, your treatment of others and yourself was completely identical - you were brutally and painfully honest, but did so with such a gentle touch that it made it easy for the reader to feel for you and with you. Your ability to create wonderful visual pictures with your words also brought your childhood and your family to life.

I have to say that while I thoroughly enjoyed your writing and think you have an immense talent, that your story may struggle to be commercial enough for mainstream publishing - but I wish you all the very best for finding a publisher and hope that you continue writing.

All best wishes
The HarperTrue Team

favourite books

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Another Country by James Baldwin
Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Jazz by Toni Morrison
Wild Swans by Jung Chang
Poisonwood Bible by Karen Kingsolver
Snow Mountain Passage by James D. Houston
That Ole Ace in the Hole by Annie Proulx
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
What is the What by Dave Eggers
Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee

my websites

http://www.cdbagshaw.btinternet.co.uk/dana.htm     http://runningfromgrace.blogspot.com