I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I was a little girl. Books were my best companions; of course I wanted to create more.

My first publication was “Dining with Peter,” a personal experience article about how I was introduced to the same concept as St. Peter was in Acts 10. Since then I’ve had several nonfiction articles published--mostly on religious and spiritual themes--and several stories published--all but one with religious or spiritual themes. Some you can still find online at http://www.strangehorizons.com; I wrote their Christmas stories for two years.

links:

http://www.strangehorizons.com/2000/20001225/war_of_the_lights.shtml

http://www.strangehorizons.com/2001/20011210/carol.shtml

http://www.strangehorizons.com/2001/20011217/carol.shtml

I’ve written several novels, one of which has been standing on the brink of publication for some time. It deals with three groups of humans who each buy a planet and starfare to escape the persecution they’ve received on Earth. But things go wrong and fundamentalist Christians, Jews, and those of alternative sexuality end up on the same planet. They have to depend on each other for survival, and it’s not going well. “Sesame Street for adults,” one young reader described it. My story for Infinite Space, Infinite God, “Stabat Mater,” is something of a prequel for Tell the Stars.

I think I see a theme here. My faith is my reality. How can I not write about it?

 I remember my earliest prayers as a child. I loved being in church. I knew God heard me. I loved the Episcopal and Catholic parochial schools, where I spent my early and late school years, respectively. I loved going to Vacation Bible School at my aunt’s Baptist church and memorizing Bible verses. As an adult, I’ve participated in Methodist, Congregational, and Unity churches. Twelve-step groups, Artist Way, Buddhism, Course in Miracles, and Reiki have also informed my spiritual path. Maybe I should call it a spiritual buffet. For about 15 years I’ve been associated with Unity, a progressive New Thought church that advises prayer, meditation, study, and service as ways to draw closer to God and God’s Will.

I remember Catholicism, as I learned it in high school, with such relief. The school was run by Benedictine Sisters in a small Louisiana town, and I found that their teachings cleared up a lot of my religious confusion. I was one of the few students who attended Mass every time it was said at school. In college I joined the Newman Club, attended Mass, and even taught catechism, but somehow I didn’t become a Catholic myself. However, ever since I began writing I’ve wanted to write an article called “A Protestant Says Thank You to Catholic School.” I did query a magazine about it, and they were interested in it “on spec,” but I didn’t get the article written. I think I was afraid it wouldn’t be accepted, and at that time I needed to work where I felt a paycheck would soon follow.

In a way, “Stabat Mater” is that article, the thank you I’d never said. I’m planning to give a copy of Infinite Space, Infinite God to my old school library. I hope I can do it in person, with my English teacher there as well. I hope she’ll be proud of me.