Lorna Lee

In my former life as a sociology professor, I published many academic and research papers. Creative writing is new for me. I began traveling down this path in 2001 when I came down with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. The primary symptoms I experienced were neurological: dizziness, brain fog, inability to concentrate, and difficulty being in environments that stimulated my senses. All of this lead to frequent panic attacks and a constant feeling as if I was a fall-down-drunk. My ability to carry on my professional academic career and basic tasks of daily living was, shall I say, challenging.

In 2006, I had to retire from the job I loved because I simply couldn't perform to my standards of perfection. That's when I remembered something else from my youth. I used to say to anyone who would listen, "I have a book in me." I was never clear about what kind of book, but I dreamed of writing a book...a real book.

In 2010, I wrote a short story, "Monkey Bars" based on an ill-advised childhood bet, and submitted it to the Memoir genre of the Writer's Digest Annual Writing Contest. The story was selected as a finalist in the competition and is included in memoir, How Was I Supposed to Know? The Adventures of a Girl Whose Name Means Lost.. This memoir is my first book-length publication.

But my very first "booket" belongs to my mom. Somewhere in my mom's closet is a single edition of original poems about a frog, a ghost, and a kitten. The booklet was illustrated by Lisa (my younger sister) and compiled for my mother's birthday when I was about seven years old. In case anyone is searching for it, the cover was made from green construction paper. I guess I had both a booklet and a book in me.

Because my second book is neither a memoir or a booklet of poems, I guess you could say I'm a "genre jumper." My newest book is entitled Never Turn Back. It's genre is historical fiction and is based on true people and events. Specifically, the protagonist is my grandmother and the story tells of her harrowing life before, during and after World War II in Paris, France, then in America.

I currently live with the man of her dreams and the dog of my dreams in the home of my dreams. I keep myself busy writing, quilting, walking, and blogging.

I'm in my late fifties, a Buddhist and social-media-impaired, so blogging is my only social networking activity. I'm afraid of Face Book and don't understand Twitter and the legions of other social media outlets that keep springing up around me. Knowledgeable, rational people have tried to explain their function and value to me, but I simply don't understand. I'm sticking with blogging. For now.

Just go to lornasvoice.com. That's my blog.