I am a Florida mystery novelist, playwright, and screenwriter who has had many “firsts.” I was the first woman to ever win the McClaren Comedy Prize at the Midland Community Theater in Midland, Texas. I was the first to ever win the Dayton Playhouse FutureFest new plays competition with a play that only received a staged reading, and the first playwright to ever be asked to be the “Playwright in Residence” at the Alliance Repertory Company.
In 2015 I was a finalist at the Nashville Film Festival Screenplay Competition for a Dramatic Feature with THE ORACLE OF JERALD'S BAY.
In 2012 I won the William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic 2012 Grant for Unpublished writers for my work in progress, FLORIDA IS BURNING.
That novel is being rewritten, as I finally figured out what I think is wrong with it! Once I finish it, I have begun work on the follow-up novel FLORIDA IS FROZEN, so I’ll complete it. I’m focusing my freelance time on novels.
I write, I teach, I do editing and proofreading, and I climb rock walls (not at all gracefully, but strongly). I was born young, grew old very quickly, then entered into my second childhood which I found far more satisfying than my first. Also safer. I’ve written plays that have been produced in many theaters in the USA and in Australia. I share my life with Patrick Payne, a visual artist, who likes things that burn and explode, knives that are too sharp, and who makes art that literally made the State of Florida threaten to close a gallery. It’s never dull in my world.
Unique traits: Have won numerous awards, also write screenplays.
POWER IN THE BLOOD
(
Theater
by ActWright Theater, Los Angeles, CA
DANCING WITH THE BAD MAN
(
Theater
by Alliance Repertory Theatre, Burbank, CA
POWER IN THE BLOOD
(
Theater
by Allicance Repertory Theatre, Burbank, CA
Midwestern Chum
(
Theater
by Midland Community Theater, Midland, Texas
DANCING WITH THE BAD MAN
(
Theater
by Riant Theater, New York,, NY
MIDWESTERN CHUM
(
Theater
by Urban Stages, New York, NY
HEAVING BOSOMS, HAIRY CHESTS
(
Theater
by Midland Community Theater, Midland, Texas
HUNGRY TO BE TOUCHED
(
Theater
by Dayton Community Playhouse, Dayton, OH
A SHORT TIME OF NEAR PERFECTION
(
Theater
by Urban Stages, New York, NY
Finalist Nashville Film Festival Screenplay Competition Feature: Drama for THE ORACLE OF JERALD'S BAY
(2015)
Malice Domestic Unfinished Mystery Manuscript Grant Award
(2012)
Florida Artist Enhancement Grant to be Playwright- in-Residence, Alliance Repertory Company, Burbank, CA, September
(2006)
Quarter-finalist, The Big Australian Screenwriting Competition for GO HOME, DAVE!
(2001)
Semi-finalist, Academy Foundation Nicholl’s Fellowships for screenwriting for GO HOME, DAVE!
(2001)
Second-round, Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition for CONDUIT
(2000)
Finalist, Scr(i)pt Magazine’s new screenplay Competition for CONDUIT
(2000)
Quarter-finalist, Academy Foundation’s Nicholl’s Fellowship for Screenwriting for THE ORACLE OF JERALD’S BAY
(1999)
Quarter-finalist, FADE IN: Magazine’s Screenwriting Competition for THE ORACLE OF JERALD’S BAY
(1999)
Awarded State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship in screenwriting for SALVADOR DALI SKIES
(1998)
McLaren Comedy Prize for HEAVING BOSOMS, HAIRY CHESTS
(1997)
Universtity of Florida
(1977-1979)