Here goes....I was born a poor white girl....

Oh, sorry.

 I was born in Rochester, New York and transplanted with my parents, brother and sister to Stone Mountain, Georgia when I was nine.

I live in the town of my husband’s birth and several generations before him. For the time being, I am studying to begin work as a medical transcriptionist and am almost finished with my school, but, before that, my full-time day job was the Municipal Codes Enforcement Administrator until they fired me on Tuesday November 30, 2006.  I have an idea folder from my career in the City that fills a file drawer.  From my position, I used to enforce all laws which are civil in nature such as signage, debris, mow your grass and oh, no junk cars in the yard. These were  just a few of my responsibilities at the city. I have had the opportunity to meet wonderful people around town, some liked me, some didn't, but that’s always going to be the way. It is my hope that no matter what their feelings are about me personally, that when I become published, our interaction in the past will encourage them to buy one of my books, you know, hometown girl finally makes it.   Even though I'm still angry about the wrongful termination, it was a great experience although stressful.  I just go out with the knowledge that what comes around goes around.

I am also an Auxiliary Police Officer and have had all the training, with the exception of the police academy, required to do the job. My favorite part of the training was EVOC, Emergency Vehicle Operations Training. Great fun, drove really fast, got to play with the siren and the lights and achieved my qualification. My least favorite was the training and certification of OC Spray. In order to be licensed to carry OC Spray (or pepper spray), I had to experience the effects first hand and I NEVER want to be sprayed again. My weapon of choice is a 40 caliber S & W and my partner, Daniel, has been a great resource for me as a Romantic Suspense Author, trainer and friend. "How you doing Big D!" (He’s a New York City guy.) What better way to be a romantic suspense author, but to be one of ‘em. Know first hand what they deal with, why each of us should thank them for what they do every day, every time we see them. Always remember officers in your thoughts and prayers, even in small towns, they place themselves in harms way to protect us. They are almost like our own private secret service and to MJPD, my hat is always off to you.

I am happily married and mother of four sons. My husband, Michael is no less than my knight in shining armor. How many men wouldn’t fuss about the dishes in the sink, piled laundry or the bathrooms from hell (remember four sons, a husband, whew!) while I sit engrossed in my latest project. He’s a saint, my best friend and ardent supporter, thanks, sweetie!

My oldest son is  Christopher. He lives in the Atlanta after serving our country in the United States Army. He was wounded while in Afghanistan, but is home and alive and in one piece. He is home and trying to find his way in this world.  We can all attest that sometimes, that never stops :D.

To all of you serving our country, I thank you and to all you moms with sons and daughters fighting at the direction of our Commander and Chief, my heartfelt thanks. To those who lost their lives or loved ones on September 11th, you are NOT forgotten.

Next is Kevin who is my hands-on son who was married on December 30th to a wonderful woman, Becky and as they start their life together, I send cyber hugs and kisses their way.  Love you sweetie! 

John is my hockey jock, a goalie who is thirteen going on twenty. John and his best friend Gabe are a constant source of comedy with everything from "I cleaned my room!" to who has the highest percentage of saves!  They've been best friends since they were two.

 My youngest, Jacob, is  eleven and loves baseball and is torn between playing in the "hotbox" or as a goalie for our local roller hockey league. Right now, Hockey has won for the time being.  Perhaps being influenced by our Nashville Predator's, he and his brother fight over who is the next Vokoun! Although his best friend doesn't play hockey, he is a constant source of support and encouragement for Jacob and although they fight as friends often do, they will be friends til the end.  Jacob now plays hockey in Lavergne and has won a spot on the Inferno travel team as a goalie.  I don't believe theres any going back.  Always look on the bright side, whenever the boys are practing hockey, I can research, read, write, critique and use the time for writing well while trying to be super mom.

I’ve been writing for many years in one form or another. I began my first novel 18 years ago, but never finished it, a self-confidence issue that I fight every day, every minute of my life. But, Doctor Phil, I am coming to grips with my insecurities.

Although as I look back, I was always writing something, cards, poems and short stories for my children. I began writing full-time eight years ago, completing seven novels and have been actively submitting to agents for seven years. The first four novels had no business going out into the publishing industry, but I didn’t know that then. Not until I found a wonderful group of writers, Romance Writers of America, and joined my local Chapter of Music City Romance Writers.  Although I have had to step back and regroup my efforts, I often think about all the members at my local chapter, MCRW . I’m also a member of a critique group, "the Critters" who never hesitate to give me their opinion, whether or not I want to hear it. I just make sure that there's a Domino's near by and ready to send me a nice, big cheeezzzy pizza with pepperoni.

I know that one day I’ll be showing ya’ll their publication date and I can’t wait! Monica, Jody and Margaret, sniff, sniff, "I love ya’ll!!! You’re my girls!"

Well, what I thought was going to be a difficult process of telling you about my reality has become quite lengthy. So, for whatever reason brought you here, I’m sure glad it did. I hope you come back often to see how things are going, perhaps see if I finally figured out what blogging is or the number of rejections currently achieved, which as of today are four hundred and five. Sure hope to NOT set a record.

I’ll close with a final thought. Remember our service men and women, never forget September 11th and to all law enforcement men and women; you are the hero’s of today. I thank you for all you do.

See ya’ll at the bookstores!

Lori Kolin Mofield

Rejections are the stepping stones to publication.