A little about me

Me with some of my favorite things. This photo is in the book you'll find if you click on the picture.

I’m a writer with a penchant for Zentangling.
I am a contributor to the forthcoming Facts on File Companion to Shakespeare (Sonnets 145 and 151).
I teach people how to write and communicate effectively.

The name of my blog is an oblique reference to Little Red Riding Hood as well as a nod to my WIP Out of the Woods.  Yes, I do know that the phrase is actually from a chirpy little song about going to Grandma’s house, but it always makes me think of Red’s surprise encounter with a wolf at her grandmother’s cabin in the woods.   I’m fascinated by the tale because of analyses I’ve read which point to the underlying incest issue.

Here are two excerpts from my memoir (originally titled Black Sheep Sings), now Out of the Woods::
Black Sheep Sings excerpt
Mama Sings the Blues

• I’m geeky but not socially awkward (except for those times I stick my foot in my mouth.)
• I have a fluffy cat named Calliope (after the Muse of history) who has a disturbing fetish for my soft terry robe. (Seriously. She nurses on it with total sensual abandon. Makes me want to close the door to give her privacy.)
• I preach Postsecret (Go. You will never be the same.)
• I love firearms as much as I love books and perfume.

I collect books on linguistics, Shakespeare, guns, and writing. I give the rest away via BookCrossing.
I’m a genealogy enthusiast–my family’s roots in America are mostly in New England and Quebec; they originally hailed from France, England, and Ireland.

I stopped watching tv in 2000.  I still don’t watch it, but I’m a movie addict, and I love Netflix. I’m currently addicted to a couple of TV series: Dexter and Bones, and old episodes of Monty Python still make me laugh.

I prefer to read.

This video moved me.  I have a post about this, but I’m including it here because it’s the most important message I have to share.  You matter.