Biographies The "L's"

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LaDonna Meredith
Owner of the TheWritersConnection.com and a proud member of MW's!

Lain Ehmann
The dog is out front eating gopher poison - for the second time this month. The baby just inserted his teething biscuit into the VCR. And I have an article due on my editor's desk in an hour. Just another Monday.

Born and raised in Los Gatos, California, I now live a stone's throw from the high school I attended - and where I received death threats for a column I wrote as a senior about the high school football team. But even banishment from the season's games wasn't enough to dissuade me from becoming a writer.

I graduated from Stanford University with a BA in public policy (1991), followed with an MPA from Syracuse University (1993). Yes, count me among the 60% of Americans whose current occupation has nothing to do with their college major. I used to want to change the world. Now I just want to make others think - and laugh - about it.

My work - on topics as diverse as telecommunications and puppies - has appeared in Stanford magazine, Alternative Healthcare Management, Chicago Parent, online at babycenter.com and in numerous trade publications. I write a general-interest column for the San Jose Mercury News and a parenting/general- interest column for the Milpitas Post, Berryessa Sun and Fremont Bulletin. I am also contributing writer on three inspirational books for Publications International, slated for publication in March 1999.

I have one husband, John; one son, Bo, and one dog, Gigi. They keep me honest and keep me sane. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, running, traveling with my family, and keeping up with my friends via e-mail. I've also been known to play a mean game of bingo.

Email me at: Lainie9@aol.com
Check out my webpage at: http://members.aol.com/Lainie9/index.html

Leslie Davis
My name is Leslie Davis and I live in a small town just East of San Bernardino, California. Nestled against the foot hills of San Gorgornio, in a small community of horse ranches, you’ll hear the piercing bray of a burro. That is where I call home.

My horses and burros are the love of my life. Nearly all of them have been rescued from the packing houses or similar fates. Everyday they return the favor with a welcoming nicker or bray. Or a gentle touch from velveteen muzzle. There is no greater joy than to know that you saved a life. Be it two legged or four legged.

My career as a writer is only just beginning. My style has yet to be defined and my niche in this life has yet to be carved. It is a world that I never thought I would be able to enter. Now, I find myself standing on the edge, ready to take a tentative step inside. With the support of friends and family, I am slowly overcoming a case of cold feet.

Coming out of high school ten years ago, I saw myself as a successful horse trainer or as an equine veterinarian. Life, however, seldom takes the path that we hope for. It twists and turns around obstacles, taking on a direction of it’s own, dragging us along screaming and kicking. Over the years I have had many jobs ranging from burger flipper, horse trainer, riding instructor, receptionist, barn manager, veterinary assistant, care giver, pet sitter, dog handler, rescue volunteer, and assistant office manager. Life now finds me employed full time at a commercial insurance agency as an underwriting assistant for the past five years. It pays the bills, but there is still something missing. Writing allows me to fill that empty space.

At first, my stories were meant for my eyes only. Never would I have thought that they would be interesting to others. And not once would I have dreamed that my stories would ever be worth anything to anyone but myself. With each day that passes, I learn new skills and new ways of expressing my ideas. Who knows what life’s next twist or turn will bring. But whatever it may be, I look forward to seeing where this ride takes me.
Email me privately at: WoooIfin@aol.com

Linda Dupie
I was born raised in Virginia and began writing at the age of twelve, when my seventh grade English teacher had the class write our life story from birth into the future.

"I'm not the rock star from my story, but I am a composer of words."

I've been freelancing full-time since 1999 when I took the plunge and quit my full-time job. What a wonderful and bumpy time I am having. I wouldn't trade this for anything.

I write on a variety of topics including travel, kids and family, and non-fiction and fiction for children and adults. I've had some success publishing my children's work in local parenting and school publications.

As for my family, I have a wonderful; supporting husband of 10+ years and two beautiful daughters. When I am not writing or spending time with my family, I love to read.

Web sites-
Rainy Day Corner for The Writing Family "Writer's Digest Pick for 101 Best Web Sites for Writers 2002 and 2003"
http://www.rainydaycorner.com

Rainy Day Corner Publishing:http://www.rainydaycornerpublishing.com

Personal Homepage: http://www.lindasdupie.com

Linda Kennedy
My name is Linda Kennedy and I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada. I have a son(10) and a daughter (8). I've been married to the same great guy for 16 years and I'm so happy to be part of Mom Writers. I've never had anything published (unless you count stuff in Junior High School). Hmm..guess that's about it. You can check out my web site at www.homestead.com/COG34/Cog34shomepage.html

Linda Sherwood
Hi! I'm a Momwriter from Michigan (and the Michigan regional host for Momwriters) where I live with my husband, Steve, my four children: Autumn, Amanda, Maxine and Justin plus three dogs and a cat. Needless to say I was awarded the Momwriter's Golden Pen Award 2000 for "Scales of Justice," which means I'm the one who manages to balance my husband, kids and writing without killing anyone. Believe me there have been days.... well, I won't get into that here. I'll save my ranting and roaring for the list. I also won the 2001 Golden Pen Award for "The Busiest Mom."

I'm a journalist at a daily newspaper and have two Web sites on journalism. Small Town Press http://www.smalltownpress.net) even won recognition from Writer's Digest as one of the 101 best sites on the web for writers. I'm working on a nonfiction book and in my spare time I write nonfiction articles for online and print publications. Visit my personal Web site at http://www.lindasherwood.com or e-mail me at linda@lindasherwood.com

I live in rural northern Michigan. I work at home where I write for two weekly newspapers. I am the "main" hard news type reporter for one and for the other I work once in a while for special sections and feature stories. I began freelancing in the fall of 1999 and am proud to add a number of online magazine credits to my portfolio. I even managed to hit the regional print magazines! My goal? A national publication! It's not a dream, I'll do it soon! I credit Momwriters for a majority of my success. The members inspire me and not just when they are on top. I feel so much better when I hear someone I look up to and think has it all together struggles just like I do. It makes me realize I'm not the only one with self doubts and the stories inspire me to step out of my safety zone and try for what is just out of reach. You know the surprising thing I've found out? It isn't that far out of reach and often another Momwriter is there to give you that boost or pat on the back that makes you just tall enough to reach it. I'm also the Momwriter Michigan Regional Host

I love writing nonfiction articles and doing the research and getting the perfect quote. It's a challenge I really enjoy. I am working on fiction too, including a novel, but it isn't going very far. Nonfiction pays my bills. I write a column, I'm the Mommy, which I love to do. It's humorous and very different tone from most of my work. It's a place where I can let the smart alec side of me roam free and I can vent about the frustrations of motherhood.

You can visit my Web site for community journalists (those of us working at small town papers who don't care what the President decided to do today.) Small Town Press www.smalltownpress.net or my personal Web site, which is at http://www.geocities.com/writin99/index.html or e-mail me at slsherwood@michweb.net

Lisa Beamer
My name is Lisa and I live in the Pittsburgh, PA area with my husband Kevin and our three children -- Zach (16), Christopher (7) and Emma (5 1/2). Most days, I wear three hats: one as a homeschooling mom, another that involves me in several ministries in the PCA church to which we belong, and the last (but not least!) as a freelance writer.

Primarily, I write non-fiction articles, often from a Christian perspective. My work covers a range of topics including parenting/family issues, spiritual matters, and homeschooling. I have been a frequent contributor to GeoParent.com, Parenting Today's Teen, ePregnancy.com and several regional parenting publications. I have also had articles appear in Christian Home & School, FamilyFun and Allergy & Asthma Health. Though the publication is currently on hiatus, I am also the owner and editor of Christian Families Online (Link not available at this time).

With over 15 years of freelancing experience, I love to give back to the writing community. Currently, I am an administrative manager for the Momwriters listserv, and I also coordinate several Momwriters programs, including the MWMotivators2002 program and the five critique programs. Through my web site (http://lisabeamer.com), I offer several different mentoring services for writers, including some online courses and workshops.

Please feel free to contact me via my web site or mail me at lisab@lisabeamer.com.

Lori Z. Scott
My name is Lori Z. Scott and I live in Kearney, Nebraska with my husband and two children. (The Z is for my maiden name I just loved it too much to get rid of it when I married!) I graduated from Wheaton College and taught first grade in a suburb of Chicago for nine years. I retired from teaching when my husband accepted a new job in Nebraska.

I began writing February of 2001 by entering a science fiction/fantasy contest for amateur writers that I saw advertised in the library. (At this point I had been out of teaching for three years and getting a little bored with cleaning my house every day&) The story ended up taking second, and thus began my writing career. (For lack of a better word!)

I won MomWriter's 2002 Fourth Anniversary Writing Contest, MW s 2002 Fifth Annual Halloween Fiction Contest, and 2002 MW Poetry Contest. I have not yet found my writing niche. I have published personal essays, cartoons, short stories, poems, and fillers. I have a heart for children, and hope someday to claim a children s book as my own. I have a LOT to learn about marketing.

Besides writing, I volunteer at the Children s Museum in Kearney and help out with children s ministries at our church. My favorite section of the newspaper is the funnies, and I love to exercise.

MomWriter's has been a blessing in every way. I m so very happy to be a part of such a fine group of writers.

Lori Sparks
Lori-Anne Sparks is a lover of animals and nature. She is a wife and a mother of two. She enjoys pointing out the nature that is around her family. Lori also enjoys writing. She has written a few short stories and is currently working on a novel. Lori doesn't think of herself as an expert but glad to share what she knows.

Experience: Lori has taken a course in Wildlife and Forestry Conservation and Creative Writing. She lived in small towns near wildlife most of her life. She was a Girl Guide growing up and has camped in three different countries. Lori has her Hunter's Safety, but has never hunted. Today she is working as a category host- Backyard Wildlife for www.bellaonline.com, a woman's site.

Lynda Blair Vernalia
Lynda Blair Vernalia has been writing since the age of 13, when her mentor, an English teacher, gave her a blank book and told her it might be a good way to work through issues behind her parent's divorce. She hasn't stopped writing since.

Lynda was born in Bedford, Massachusetts and currently resides with her husband Drew in Lowell, Massachusetts. She holds a BA degree in Creative Arts from Bradford College and an EdM in Higher Education from Harvard University. She also has a certificate in Writing for Children and Teens from the Institute of Children's Literature in Westport, CT.

She specializes in poetry in all its forms, rhyming and non-rhyming, PreK fiction and silly stuff for 4th thru 8th graders. (Someday she may even finish the muscial she started too!)

At 33, after working in retail, property management and higher education, Lynda is just getting off the ground with trying to publish the literally thousands of poems and children's stories she has written since she was a teen. Of course, trying to type them all into the computer, then edit and market them are the daunting tasks! She did publish one poem in her undergraduate newspaper, had two poems selected for anthologies by the National Library of Poetry, and has copyrighted several as yet unpublished poetry collections. For two years, she co-founded and edited an underground poetry publication called "Verbal Collage." She reads her work at Christian art festivals and local coffeehouses and is still hopeful to see what the future has in store.

For more information, Lynda can always be reached at lbvern@attbi.com

Lynne Remick
Lynne Remick is a freelance writer/book reviewer who lives in New York, with her long-time boyfriend, Michael, her beloved Son Kevin, her spoiled dog Dante, and my feral cat Sahara. She loves to write children's stories and poetry, romance stories and poetry, and fantasy and has been published in many mediums. She currently has an agent interested in her work.

Her accomplishments include a position as the Scottish Culture Editor at www.BellaOnline.com; the Scottish Garden of Verse Poetry Editor at www.ScottishRadiance.com; the Poetry Editor at the Royal Scribe www.romfort.org/rs; and am the moderator/chat host of the poetry columns at www.lovestories.com.

She considers her most fulfilling writing accomplishment to be her position of Contributing Editor at Suite 101, where she gets to host the Romance Through the Ages column. Click here: Romance Through The Ages - Suite101.com Here, she enjoys four of her biggest passions. Writing, reading, history and romance.

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