About Me

I'm a reader first. I've read fiction pretty much non-stop since I was in elementary school, and enjoy a wide variety of genres and styles—from John Irving to Frank Herbert to Barbara Kingsolver to Tolkien.


My first short story was published when I was 10 years old and won the Young Authors Contest in Jack and Jill Magazine. Then I took a 20+ year hiatus from writing fiction, although I wrote lots for school and work, and of course I was always reading!


I have two kids and when my youngest was 18 months, I started writing every day during nap time. I didn't intend to write a book back then, but as the words piled up I realized what I was writing was a novel, which eventually turned into Dreaming of Deliverance. It was such an amazing experience—getting lost in a story like I've always needed to do, but this time as its author.


I find the process of writing fascinating, compelling, sometimes the most enjoyable thing ever, and often completely frustrating. It's much more difficult than immersing myself in a story someone else has written. But there's nothing more satisfying than being a conduit for fiction. And now that I've discovered that, I don't think I'll ever stop writing.


These days I balance being a wife and mother with being a writer, occasional substitute teacher, and since Dreaming of Deliverance is out in the world, marketing and promoting both it and myself. That part of the process doesn't come naturally to me at all, but I'm trying since I really want to share the story with others.


I've also started podcasting. In fact, a free audio version of Dreaming of Deliverance is available here and at Podiobooks.com. I love reading aloud and have been having a fabulous time recreating the story in an audio format.


If you'd like to get started reading Dreaming of Deliverance, the first three chapters are posted here. So check them out and see if they appeal to you!


Thanks so much for visiting my site!


-Renée

Photo: Jason Lee