Biographies The "M's"

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M. J. Gardner
I live in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada with my husband Peter, five-year-old son Daniel and three-year-old daughter Kate. With Kate still nearly a year away from Junior Kindergarten, writing is squeezed in between housework and playing dolls.

I was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and grew up there and in and around the town of Essex. I have an Honours B.A. from the University of Windsor in English and Classics. I also have a Master's degree from the University of Waterloo in English, where I focused on Gothic Lit.

I began writing at the age of eleven, inspired by Lord of the Flies. My serial novel Evelyn's Journal won the 1996 Golden Fang Award for Best Series from the Vampyres listserv. I hope to someday write the Great Canadian Novel, or at least the Really Good one.

In the meantime I'm looking for writing opportunities that actually pay, and I write software reviws for Tutor House. In order to maintain my sanity (what sanity?), I go out with friends every Friday night for dinner, which is reviewed at: sanity (what sanity?), I go out with friends every Friday night for dinner, which is reviewed at: Friday Night. (Proof we exist, we have a web page.)

Manda Erickson
I am a WAHM of one beautiful little girl. I write a lot of personal experience, essay, human interest, parenting, and children pieces. I also write a great deal on infant loss and the loss of my son, Zachary, to SIDS. I am currently working on two novels. E-mail me at MLErickson@aol.com

Margaret Helmstetter
keeta@quik.com, or if your server doesn't like that one, keeta@azob.quik.com
Southern Arizona
Margaret/ckeeta
Love is like fine wine, it gets better with age
Ckeeta's Pages: www.geocities.com/ckeeta
R itro writing tips and advice assistant editor: www.ritro.com

Marie Sultana Robinson
Marie Sultana Robinson lives on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts (you know that funny arm thing that hangs off of New England). She likes Pina Colada toothpaste and her 6 cats. (One more and she's been threatened with the nickname Snow White)

Married to an electrician (that strange man with a drill and a saw who says.."here's a dark place, let's light it up"), she has one son in the US ARMY who is a helicopter crew chief. Lacking thosebunder-the-feet moments of wee ones, she spirits away the assorted children of her friends to teach them ice skating, and take them for long beachwalks and feed them pizza.

Professionally she is a MUSE, but since people think that means they have to throw Tiffany Boxes at her, she uses the more recognized terms: Business and Life Coach. She runs Lighthouse Connections. She can take you from Start up To IPO and anywhere inbetween. She can help you create 10 stepping stones of Personal Foundation:
Which includes, A life which is based fully on integrity, an absence of tolerations, choosing to come from a positive place

She loves to write personal and business Development articles and her passion is writing Romantic Suspense Fiction. There's something about killing people and make people fall in love in the same book that is really cool.

Marie Sultana Robinson
www.lighthouseconnections.net
Provides a guiding light to navigate life and business easily and elegantly.
(508) 428-0513
mariesultana@aol.com

Marla Phan
I'm a 40-something wife and Mom of three. Holly age 18, just left home for college, Tom will be a junior in high school this year, and Kathryn, age 17 months (yes, 17 months), is becoming more friendly with the potty everyday.

After reading everyone else's biographies, I feel woefully inadequate as a writer so I'm writing this as therapy. Maybe I should start this like a 12-step program. Hello, my name is Marla and I'm a procrastinator. (I feel better already.) Like so many others, I've always enjoyed writing, especially nonfiction, poetry, and anything that allows me to pass an opinion. I've done my share of writing for high school, college and local newspapers. I've also been published in a poetry anthology.

I graduated from Iowa State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree. Being that I was 35 and excited about being in college, I couldn't decide exactly what I wanted to be, so I took classes like I was going through a buffet line. I ended up taking almost every creative writing and English class available and also cleaned up in American history. I'm proud to say that after five years, I graduated with honors. I'm also proud of my husband who graduated along with me. Unlike yours truly, he knew what he wanted to do and became an engineer.

I thought I would get a career going after college and actually managed to squeeze in two years of teaching in Dallas, Texas before God gave us Kathryn. I'm at home now, which gives me more of an opportunity to gather thoughts for parenting/family writing.

Maryann B. Hunsberger
Maryann B. Hunsberger handles the writing needs of businesses. Since 1985, nonprofit groups; federal, state and local government; corporations; publishing companies; advertising firms; newspapers; newsletters and magazines have relied on her services.

More than thirty publications have featured over 575 of Maryann B. Hunsberger's articles. Her experience in research, interviews, features, editorials and news is extensive. She is an experienced managing editor of magazines and newsletters. Maryann B. Hunsberger has vast experience in special education, disability, nonprofit issues, political advocacy, foreign affairs, health, human rights, women's issues and parenting.

You can't afford to take the wrong approach with your publications . Take The Write Approach with Maryann B. Hunsberger. Visit her Web site at http://disnet1.org/writeapproach/
Email me privately at: maryann@voicenet.com

Mary Beth
I am "MB" to almost everyone, but "mom" to my six children, ages 4 to 15 (2 girls, 4 boys). I have not been published for nearly 15 years (check ages of children), but am trying to overcome a confidence problem to begin submitting the articles stored in my hard drive. I write nearly every day...even in my head in the car!

I love personal essays and human interest, but also have written about childbirth (I have taught childbirth education classes for ten years), parenting, and even some fiction. Currently I am trying to work up the courage to do simple copywriting for home and decorating magazines to get started again.

We have moved around a good bit in the last 15 years but are currently living in central Iowa (to STAY!). My identity has been all about kids for so long, and though I appreciate and thoroughly enjoy the SAHM role, I know it is time to diversify!

Mary Cox-Bilz
Confined to a wheelchair, Mary Cox-Bilz is unable to use her hands to type, because of a birth defect. Her proficiency at the use of a mouthstick empowers the writer to pour out her spirit on the computer keyboard.

Author of five books and an accomplished mouth-artist, the college graduate has completed Bible courses from several Seminaries and Bible Colleges in the US. However, she is quick to say that "When you sit alone with God at the keyboard, you learn things that no textbook can teach. Course material has expanded my knowledge, but being alone with God has expanded my heart."

Mary's books, greeting cards, and artwork are available at her website http://www.marycoxbilz.com, http://www.whiteoakscreations.com, http://www.ebooksonthe.net, and in area bookstores.

Mary welcomes interviews and can be contacted at wheels@shorenet.net or marycoxbilz@yahoo.com

Mary K
I write romances as Mary Kingsley and mysteries as Mary Kruger (though my next book, a romance, is coming out under Mary Kruger - don't ask). My daughter is 4 y/o, a love, and a challenge. Hope to hear from you soon!
Wagered Hearts (w/a Mary Kruger), Zebra Books July, 2001
An Angel's Wish, Zebra Books, October, 2001
http://www.marykingsley.com

Left to right: Mary (Melody), Stephen, Melissa, Jeremy and Megan
Mary Lane Cryns alias: Melody
Hello! I'm a single Mom with four kids who recently moved back to the beautiful San Francisco Bay area (in Mountain View, just south of San Francisco) from a weird, dusty town in the middle of nowhere. Although three of my children are grown, they are still close by. I write folksy life adventure stories and essays, as well as children's stories, and I'm presently working on a book incorporating quite a bit of my work.

Check out: http://www.deadjournal.com/users/melodywrites/ for writing samples and to find out the latest on what's going on in our adventurous lives.
Contact me at:
Home Phone: (650) 967-1522
Cell Phone: (650) 339-2631
Email: melodywrites@comcast.net
or melodynulife@yahoo.com

Maureen Maloney Ehlbeck
Maureen Maloney Ehlbeck is a freelance Momwriter whose favorite topics include humorous essays, communication, lifestyle, home decorating, and family. After receiving her master's degree in film from the University of Alabama, she started her career as a video producer, branching out later into marketing and public relations. In 1998, she started a home-based editorial services business, WordsmithThink. She grew up as an army brat, moving 15 times before settling down in Atlanta, Ga., where she lives with her husband Bob and their children, Nicholas, 4, and Olivia, 1.

Melanie Huber
I started freelancing two years ago and was quite surprised when I actually started getting published, and PAID! (Heck I would've done it for free!) The check is just a perk! I'm recently working on my own website. I am a mother of five children and have published quite a number of articles on e-zines. I've edited and help publish two newsletters, and have had experience with journalism.

I specialize in Parenting, Pregnancy, Woman's Issues, The Writing Life, and humorous personal essays about motherhood. Latest publishing credits. "The Eleventh Hour" Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother's Soul. "How to Explain Death to your Child" Healthy Family "Back from the Edge of Despair, A journey through Postnatal Depression" Promoms...and many more. Oh yeah! I write tons of poetry too. You can contact me at: melalope@aol.com

Michael T. Powers
Michael T. Powers resides in Wisconsin with his wife Kristi and their two young boys. He is a youth pastor, award winning writer, motivational speaker, business owner, and high school girl's coach. Michael is also the founder of HeartTouchers.com and Heart4Teens.com, which are weekly inspirational e-mail lists and web sites with thousands of subscribers around the world. His stories appear in many magazines and newspapers and in fifteen different inspirational books including the Chicken Soup series, the Stories for the Heart series, and the God Allows U-Turns series. He is also the author of his own book entitled: "Straight From the Heart". Check out his website at: http://www.HeartTouchers.com or he can be reached via email at: HeartTouchers@aol.com

Michelle Dunn
PO Box 40
Plymouth NH 03264

My email is: michelle@michelledunn.com

Michelle Dunn is the Author of the FREE e-book MAD Collection Letters and Forms. She has also written and published How to Make Money Collecting Money, Starting a Collection Agency.

She is now publishing Become the Squeaky Wheel, A Credit and Collections Guide for Everyone and a book of 7 short stories. Look for her boxed set coming out in 2005, which will include, Starting a Collection Agency, The Squeaky Wheel, and a book of collection letters and forms. Dunn publishes her own books through her publishing company, Never Dunn Publishing.

How to make Money Collecting Money, Starting a Collection Agency is full of useful information, tips and ideas for anyone who wants to start their own collection agency.

The information in this book is based on my own personal research and experience. The internet changed how people do business, so I have also included links to resources, forms and many other business-related websites.

You will find information on collection laws by state, whom to contact to obtain a collection agency license in your state, information on business plans, marketing, The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and many other things you will want to be aware of when starting your agency.

When I started my agency I tried to find books on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders and even Ebay about starting a collection agency. I could not find any that were specific to starting your own agency. I just read everything I could find about starting a business in general, and about credit and collections. I did have 15 years experience in the Credit and Collections field and used my knowledge to help me start my agency. I also started a discussion group and website to network and meet other professionals in the credit and collections industry and this was a great help. You can join this list for FREE at www.credit-and-collections.com once you are a member you can be added to the website for free. This is a great resource for anyone wanting to start their own agency.

I hope that you find the information helpful and enjoy my book! Good luck to you!

I started and ran my collection agency for 8 years. I started with basically nothing and had to learn the hard lessons. My immediate advice... learn from the lessons of others. This book is a good place to start.

Michelle Johnson
I graduated from a Kansas City, Mo. high school in 1980. Then, in 1981, graduated from a career college with a certificate in fashion merchandising. In the early 1990's, I continued my education at a community college studying fashion design.

My inspiration for studying fashion design is attributed to my daughter who has severe
cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. My goal was to design user friendly clothing to the target population with severe disabilities. One semester though, I was able to delete an art class and substitute it with a news writing class, for which I was a campus reporter. I was able to interview a fashion design student and have him in the paper. As a fashion student I was affiliated with the Fashion club, participated in fashion shows, and won several awards. As a campus reporter, I learned to network, got to know a lot of people, and even won a College Merit award.

During my final semester, the spring of 1996, I got burned out and somewhat unmotivated. Then, a single mother of a handicapped daughter and a very healthy little boy, things were getting to be too much for me. I felt as though I could not go on. I'd lay in bed at night listening to a popular radio station who offered a Single's Line dating alternative. I was intrigued to hear the many success stories of how people met through that service. I signed up in August 1996. It was October 1996 that my life would change forever. I met Karl Johnson. In 1997, my daughter was placed in a group home, and my son and I moved in with Karl and his two boys. Karl and I wed, October 27, 2001.
I enjoy fashion, music, writing and spending time with my family. I'm a SAHM, and I write a weekly column for our home town newspaper, The Shawnee Journal Herald (www.Shawneejournalherald.com).

Life is an adventure and live it to the fullest. My e-mail address is: MoBo427@aol.com

Michelle London
Michelle London has written for Obadiah Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, Becoming Family, and Chicago Parent, among others. Her personal essays have been appeared in many anthologies, including Chocolate for Women, the God Allows U-Turns series, Nudges from God, Laughter and Learning: Lessons in Parenting, and 9/11: The Day America Cried. Michelle lives with her husband Mark in northwest suburban Chicago, where she is an event coordinator for a Chicago cruise company. She is passionate about reading, writing and the Cubs. She has three grown daughters -- Alexi, Mallory, and Kirstin -- who have passed the torch of being regular fodder for their mom's essays to their younger brother, Sean, a fact they're not all that sad about. Michelle can be reached via e-mail at cubsgal1@sbcglobal.net.

Mim Ford
Mim Ford is a freelance writer who someday hopes to be known more by the titles of "poet" and also "author." Her articles can be found in strange places like "Knives Illustrated" Magazine and "The Oil City Voice" and her poetry has placed # 1 in competition at Zoetrope.com . She mans the goings-on at Suite 101's Custom Knifemaking site. Presently her passion is her Web site http://www.bluecollarpress.com and she hopes one day to publish a book by and about her blue-collar friends. Mim's time here at Momwriters has helped bring her from fledgling to flying and she encourages everyone to join in the festivities! Mim can also be found scurrying around the WWW as Abby Finn (defender of the proletariat.)

Enough about me, now how about you? Email me at bluecollarwriter@cs.com. I love people. We are all so strangely interesting. Well, have to go for another cup of coffee! <'}}}}>< ICQ 11245879

Mria Dangerfield
Mria Dangerfield spent eleven years at CNN as a video editor, and is now a full-time mother of three. When she's not editing newsletters for her Mothers and More group or children's preschools, she tries to squeeze in writing time. She knows that in order to become a better writer she just needs to set aside some of that other stuff and write every day. But it's just so hard when her husband comes home and starts doing the dishes... Mria writes mostly essay related to her current occupation of mothering, but has two novels in various stages of growth somewhere on her hard drive that are just dying to be finished. She also writes articles about family travel for "travelgirl" magazine.

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