| I was born and raised in Walnut Creek, California. That is where I first discovered my love for the written word. Though it was maudlin and quite lovesick poetry at the time, it was still creative. Writing came naturally though I never thought of it as a talent, just a means to an end. My homework in college was well written and extremely creative…especially if I didn’t know the answer. I would simply continue to write and hope I hit on some small bit of important data. After meeting the man of my dreams at work (work being code for ‘bar’) where I diligently and quite well I might add, sold fine beverages as a means to pay for my college education and the occasional meal, I quickly found myself happily married. By 1989, I found myself living on the coast of California just south of San Francisco, a small slice of heaven, with my husband and our two little boys. In 1992 we had a princess to add to our two mud covered creatures, aka boys. My days were consumed with laughter, spit up, flying bunnies, and mud, lots of mud. The long hair and the pretty nails went by the wayside, along with the darn lingerie that kept getting me in to trouble. Bring on the flannel nighties! Through those years the only writing tool held in my hand was a jam covered crayon, unless you count eyeliner, I have had to use that medium many times in lieu of the all illusive pencil. Writing seemed to be a thing of the past, though my mind was still spinning tales, for each night I would make up bedtime stories for my children with them as the lead bunny, or head honcho hippo, etc. There was always a moral and of course lots of action. For my birthday and Mother’s Day I would ask my children to write a story. Any story. I got some real doozies, I tell you. 1997 brings a new baby and a move to the country with the passel of kids. We added 2 nephews, 1 niece, horses, pigs, cows, goats, bunnies, chickens, and whadaya know? I begin to write again. I can’t recall sleeping, but hey, sleep is highly over rated. After writing down some of the more hilarious adventures of my children's young lives, in hopes that they would be read to their children some day, my husband asked what I was up to. He read a few pages and couldn’t stop laughing. “You did this? How did you remember all that? You really should publish this!” All that from a man that barely says that much in a whole day, I talk enough for both of us and then some. It was at that moment that I knew I was on to something. A few more years pass and a few kids move on and move out and I now have time to pursue this dream AND sleep. Not only does it allow my creative juices to flow but when I create a character I put a smidge of each and every child I have had into the characters I create. With motherhood being the best job I ever could have applied for (and conveniently not been denied because of lack of experience), writing takes a comfy second place. Without the incredible differences in my children’s personalities and their own perspectives on life I don’t believe I would be able to grasp so many different characters and their personalities. I hope this lends you some insight into the fun and exciting journey to my odd and humorous outlook on life. Happy reading! Charity Maness |
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