I have a varied career … from blackjack dealer and pit boss to professional driver. If it has wheels, chances are I’ve driven it. I was an over-the-road truck driver, traveling in 48 states and three provinces in Canada. I have delivered everything from bottled water to steel pipe. I have also delivered people as a motor coach operator.
I served as a Military Police woman in the Army. I mostly worked law enforcement, but I was also attached to the Personnel Security Division, PSD. Our elite, hand-picked platoon provided security for high-ranking officers. At one point, our team also provided residential security for the CIA Station Chief in Frankfurt, Germany. I mostly worked uniform, but I also did some undercover assignments. Among other things, my Military Occupational Specialty and training included crime scene investigation, counterterrorism, bomb threats, and hostage situations.
I have traveled extensively outside of the United States.
I currently write full time from my home in Colorado and own a job service. I am also a volunteer with my Police Department, working as a caseworker/victim’s advocate for senior victims of crime.
[...] Bisi Adjapon, Courtney Vail, Doralynn Kennedy, J.L. Campbell, Sybil Nelson, Tirzah Goodwin, Ann Simko for Journeys in Ink — A brand new collaborative blog written by seven authors in different stages of their writing journey. I’ve been following this one since it opened on November 1 and love the different aspects and voices these seven bright writers bring to the table. [...]
Hi Jill… I think this is Jill… thanks for this comment. I just saw this, or I would have thanked you sooner. Doralynn
[...] of seven writing women I’m proud to claim as friends: Ann Simko, Bisi Adjapon, Courtney Vail, Doralynn Kennedy, J.L. Campbell, Sybil Nelson, and the incomparable Tirzah [...]
Wow, your background is so impressive! You have lots of material from that alone.
What advice would you give someone, other than watching the news or reading National Geographic, who has led kind of a boring life?
About the most I’ve ever done, was a 1 year stint with Riverside Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, and not a lot happened with that.
Also, about the most I’ve ever written, other than what’s on my blog and one unfinished manuscript, are several job specifications for various cities; I’ve been doing that for over 20+ years. I’m very, very green.
Thanks!
My question was vague, not complete. Sorry!
I was just wondering how an intravert, such as myself, who hasn’t traveled a lot, seen a lot of the world via personal experience’s, can add color/depth to their stories? Does someone, who puts themself out there, and who has experienced many things life has to offer, have an edge over someone who is, let’s say, a recluse? I know the imagination can take you a ways, but is it enough and what can a recluse do to be on equal terms with an adventurer?
That was a lot. I look forward to a response.
A recluse can still do a lot of research, and with the internet, it’s never been more easy to find help. Of course, it would be great to be well-traveled and to have a world of careers in your wake, but I’m not and don’t. My coolest job was probably a CIT when I was sixteen.
Once you research a certain locale for your story’s setting, you can go on writer sites like Fiction Writers Forum or Absolute Write Water Cooler, even some travel/tourist forums, and ask more need-to-know details. Writing sites have Research sub-forums.
You can also set a story in places you do know, like closer to home.
For career info, or any research really, you can contact people online. It’s pretty easy to zip off an email. I needed to know about bike sabotage, so I emailed someone who repairs bikes and explained my plight. And one of my writer friend’s hooked me up with a cop so I could ask about police procedure.
Just pick things that interest you. I could never write history because needing to get so many details right is just so daunting for me and would take the fun out of writing. As a writer, you can invent other societies, make up your own lands, time periods, customs, worlds.
The hardest thing I think for introverts, as I am one, is learning to take criticism and doing in-person marketing and publicity. There’s a book at amazon called THE SHY WRITER, which has gotten great reviews. It’s in my shopping cart. It’s got some pointers in there.
Thanks for stopping by. Good luck in all you do. Don’t let fear hold you back. Just write and fill in details later.
Thank you!
I wrote down the three items: Fiction Writers Forum, Absolute Write Water Cooler and The Shy Writer, and will check them out or add to my purchase list.
Oops…introvert.
You and J.L. Campbell have been great; and, take care as well. This is a great blog.
Write on.
Oh, sorry. It’s just writing forums. here’s the url: http://www.writingforums.com/
It has a research section where you can post questions.
Thanks, I added the correct URL to my blogroll.