As a retired elementary teacher, life coach, and public speaker, I took a page from my plan book and started writing the Miller Place stories from my childhood. Thinking of Miller Place: A Memoir of Summer Comfort, emerged from researching memoir, joining and starting writing groups, first drafts, rewriting, revising, workshops, sharing chapters, and publishing.

I’ve been having a love affair for years—with powerful, inspiring, seductive, alluring, delicious words!

Since the book was launched in 2008, readers began to ask, “How can I start writing down my family stories?” “How do I turn them into a memoir?” I was only too happy to add writing seminar tips to book talks. I feel fortunate to be able to combine my personal experiences with that of being in the education field and teaching over 15 sets of twins in my 28 years in education, as well as conducting family genogram workshops to demystify family secrets and expectations.

It’s hard to believe that three years have passed since the first package of author copies of my book, Thinking of Miller Place: A Memoir of Summer Comfort, arrived at my door.

Since that day, this simple book, my first book, has opened doors, hearts, and friendships in book clubs, service organizations, churches, reading groups, school, colleges, Toastmasters, libraries, historical societies, writing groups, and individuals.

Continuing my love affair with words, in the beautiful sunshine of Tucson, Arizona, far different from Long Island, Manhattan and New Jersey provides 'grist for the writing mill.'

A second memoir is in the works. Impressions of a suburbanite in the desert are calling to be put into words. 'Hydrate' has become a part of my daily routine. Phrases like "But it's a dry heat" do fall effortlessly out of my mouth. Can a NJ girl learn to pump her own gas? Not yet. I'm resisting that.

Writing a memoir can affirm the idea of approaching family in a different way that includes acceptance and celebration.

Whether you are navigating the site as a reader, writer, or lover of words— Welcome, enjoy, let me know about your story.