Meet the Contributors

Click the letter of the last name to link to the page containing the contributor's biography.  

A, B, C | D, E, F | G, H, I, J | K, L, M | N, O, P, Q, R | S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Mishele Abell left Washington State in 1991 in search of an adventure. She began working on boats, and became a professional chef who's specialized in catering on large, private yachts, traveling the world over. She lived in Viareggio, Italy, worked part time on yachts as chef, as an Italian food and wine educator for Americans in Italy, and enjoys writing, reading, and studying healing arts in her free time. misheleabell@hotmail.com

Burky Achilles is an Oregon-based writer, editor and mother of two teenagers. She's the recipient of a Walden Fellowship and Soapstone Residency for Women Writers. She recently earned her Master's in Writing at Portland State University, and working on her first novel about growing up in Hawaii.

Ruth Achilles is a sixteen-year-old junior who enjoys friends, volleyball, track, modeling, and working part-time. She loves to travel and has been to Santo, Japan twice as part of a student exchange program, and on a family trip last summer that she calls the "Achilles National Lampoon European Vacation."sugarnspice114@hotmail.com.

Kelley Bowles Albaugh is a 32-year-old English and Drama teacher who's been living and working in Western Colorado since 1994. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Fine Arts — Creative Writing. She's written one novel in the Emma Lovett mystery series and is currently at work on her second. When she's not teaching and having fun with family, friends, cats and dogs, she's been speaking at charity fundraisers for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. kelkay1202@yahoo.com

Ann Albers is a traditional Reiki master, a spiritual counselor, instructor, lecturer and writer. She received her BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and worked for eight years in the avionics industry before leaving to follow her spiritual calling. She is currently working on her first two books: Whispers of the Spirit is an inspiring and deeply human story of her spiritual awakening, and a second work, No More Taboo! a powerful work written to help women reclaim their bodies and their souls. (602) 485-1078. Web: www.VisionsOfHeaven.com

Bailey Allard is President of Allard Associates, Inc., an international seminar and consulting firm. She is a speaker, seminar leader and business coach who works with Fortune 500 companies on six continents. She speaks on influence and choice points in a downsized world. She is passionate about speaking to people —especially women — about understanding and acknowledging their value and increasing their influence. (919) 968-9900.

Rebecca Allor lives in Howard City Michigan with her five-year-old son, C.J. who is a budding artist. She is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in English, Creative Writing. This being her first publication, she is greatly honored to become a part of the Chocolate sisterhood. She plans to write a novel on the joys and rewards of being a single mother. She encourages women to stand by one another, be proud of who they are, and go after their dreams. (616) 937-5390. gallor@pathwaynet.com

Melanie Allen is a full time student and a part time employee for an advertising company (which during the summer goes in reverse and she is at the office full time, and never at school). She is an avid reader, a hopeful writer and a very grateful woman to have had the opportunity to be involved in such a wonderful undertaking as this.

Lorri Vaughter Allen is a broadcast journalist and professional speaker. Her company, "Good News!" helps people make more money and improve their image by mastering the media. (She's only eaten a spudnut once!) (972) 248-3610. LorriA@wctv.com; Web: www.Lorri.com.

Jenny Kreftmeyer Althen is just beginning her writing career, this being her second short story to be published. She is currently employed in manufacturing. Her number one priority is her daughter, Amanda, and of course loves chocolate! She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, arrowhead hunting, writing, and the outdoors. She resides in New Haven, MO (573) 237-4810. Jennyalthen@Hotmail.com

Mary M. Alward lives with her husband in southern Ontario Canada. She has had her work published in both print venues and online. She is presently contributing to "Listening To The Animal," a series published by Guideposts. She has a grown daughter and two beautiful grandsons, whom she spends a lot of time with when she isn't writing. (519) 752-3819. dalward@sprint.ca

Patricia Anand is happily retired with her husband in her dream home on the water in California.

Melanie Anderson-Caster left the cold office of her marketing communications career to stay home full-time with her two children, Tyler and Megan. She now writes out of her warm, cozy home office in Lake of the Pines, California, with her trusty space heater at her side. She is currently working on her first novel, Behind Closed Doors. writemel@jps.net

Danielle Armitage lives in Indianapolis with her father. She is a student at IUPUI where she is studying computer science and business management. She also hopes to become a master in writing. She works for Claire's Accessories and spends her free time with her family.

Gloria Attar is a writer and journalist from the Midwest, currently living out her dream in Bologna, Italy with her young daughter. She is a former publicist, seminar leader and paralegal and is working on her forthcoming novels set in Italy. Her next dream is to own a villa and divide her time between Chicago and Italy. gloriagattar@libero.it

Betty Auchard is a retired art teacher and now writes and speaks about tales of her childhood during the depression, as well as, humorous and poignant stories of adjusting to widowhood. Her entertaining and inspirational presentations are well received by her audiences. btauchard@aol.com

Emory Austin, Certified Speaking Professional, was featured in Industry Week magazine along with fellow speakers Colin Powell, Margaret Thatcher, and Terry Anderson. She is a Phi Beta Kappa communications graduate of Wake Forest University, and has keynoted in almost every industry to rave reviews. For information regarding Emory's presentations and tapes, please call (704) 663-7575. Email: austinduck@aol.com.

Ursula Bacon fled Nazi Germany with her parents and spent the next nine years in China. She was interned along with 18,000 European refugees by Japanese occupation forces in Shanghai for four years. She emigrated to the United States at the end of W.W.II. Ursula is married to author Thorn Bacon, and they operate a small publishing house and write books. She is the co-author of Savage Shadows (New Horizon, NY) and the author of The Nervous Hostess Cookbook, March 1996. (503) 682-9821.

Brooke Evans Ball is a wife, mother, freelance writer and part-time librarian. She has been writing for more than 20 years after starting out as a newspaper reporter/feature writer/columnist in her hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee. She has had articles published in the Cleveland Daily Banner, Farm Wife magazine, Moody Monthly magazine, The Charlotte Observer; and The Belmont Banner-Mount Holly News where she won awards for "Best People Story," "Best General Feature" and "Best Personal Column." She and her husband, Chris, reside in Charlotte, NC and are the parents of two grown children, Shane and Joanna. kisaword@bellsouth.net

Margo Ballantyne has a Masters Degree in Art History and is a Visual Resource Curator at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. This is her first attempt at publishing on a subject other than art although she has "performed" her stories for her indulgent family and friends for years. She is a founding member of the "Wobble City Hikers" and fosters a dream of, one day, owning a small organic herb farm with her husband, Glenn.

Jennifer Brown Banks is founder and president of a community based arts organization located in the Chicago area. She is a feature writer for Being Single magazine and a public relations office manager. Her publishing credits include Today’s Black Woman Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Today’s Chicago Woman, Just for Black Men, Gospel Synergy, and several Chocolate sequels. She was recently recognized by Marquis “Who’s Who in America.” (773) 509-8018

T.J. Banks is the author of Souleiado (Five Star 2002), a novel that uses time travel to explore grief. She is published in Poets & Writers, Cat Fancy, Writing for Our Lives, Woman & Earth, Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart, Chicken Soup for the Singles Soul, At Grandmother’s Table, Soul Menders, Their Mysterious Ways, and others. A contributing editor for laJoie and a former editorial associate with the Writer’s Digest School, she is a regular writer for North Fork Country and has won awards for her work from the Cat Writer’s Association, The Writing Self, and Burbage’s, Ltd. She has also written a novel for young adults, Houdini, and is currently working on a war novel. She lives with her daughter, Marissa, their cats and two rabbits in Simsbury, Connecticut.

Cos Barnes is a former schoolteacher, newspaper columnist and chamber of commerce public relations director. A freelance writer, she is the mother of three and the grandmother of six. She dances in a precision kickline of grandmothers whose age’s range from 56 to 75. She also plays handbells.

Maggie Bedrosian, MS, business owner and executive coach specializes in helping people produce focused results with natural ease. Author of three books, including, Life Is More Than Your To Do List: Blending Success & Satisfaction, Maggie hosted television's "Spotlight on Business." She is past president of the American Society for Training & Development, Washington, DC. Chapter. Audiences enjoy her lighthearted programs at business gatherings, cruise ships and at the Disney Institute. (301) 460-3408.

Carole Bellacera is a writer living in Manassas, Virginia. Her fiction and articles have appeared in over 200 magazines and newspapers in America and abroad, such as Woman's World, The Star, Endless Vacation and The Washington Post. Several works of fiction have won awards in contests such as Columbia Pacific University's CPU Review prose contest and The Belletrist Review's annual short story contest. Her first screenplay, Border Crossings, was a finalist at the 1995 Austin Heart of Film Competition. The novel version of Border Crossings is published by Forge Books, May of 1999. KaroBella@aol.com; members.aol.com/KaroBella

Tannis Benedict grew up traveling all over the world as the child of Air Force parents. She and her husband, Brian Frankish, have a film development and production company, Frankish-Benedict Entertainment, in which they dedicate themselves to "stories of the heart." Her writing debut was a two character play, Timing is Everything, a romantic comedy produced in Los Angeles where she lives. She also writes screenplays, short stories, and poetry, and has been an actress for over twenty years. Having lost a son in l996, her faith in God and the power of prayer have blossomed and illuminated her spiritual path. tannisb@aol.com

Sherry Bennett is new on the writing scene. As a native Texan and successful hairstylist, she loves to tell stories from behind the chair. Not until long-time client and friend, Kathy Pimentel, took her to a creative writing class did she try putting her stories down on paper and in turn discover her passion for writing. She says, "Writing allows me to view past negative experiences as resources and fodder for adding tension to my plots." Kathy and Sherry are now co-authoring a novel. (408) 529-1646

Carolyn Berg is a 10th grade student at Cabrillo High School in Lompoc, California where she lives with her parents and 4 younger siblings, Patrick, Brinton, Timothy, and Brianna. She enjoys writing, reading, singing, playing musical instruments, acting, and hanging out with friends. She hopes to someday to go to college and study writing. She is a harpist of 9 years, and is currently working with her teacher, Ira, training for national competition in Washington DC. Chocoholic126@aol.com

Sande Boritz Berger began writing as a young teenager because her letters amused her parents and “they finally heard me.” For several years she got side-tracked in the corporate world writing and producing promotional video programs, until finally returning to her passion. A poet, essayist and fiction writer, her work appears in Every Woman Has A Story by Warner Books, and in Cup Of Comfort, Adams Media. Her essays are also included in Ophelia's Mom by Crown about the trials of raising adolescent daughters. She has completed a novel about a 70's young woman’s boredom in suburbia and its consequences. She lives on Long Island and Manhattan with her “first reader” husband Steven, and has two extremely independent, hard-working daughters. MurphyFace@aol.com

Linda Aspenson Bergstrom is from Northern Wisconsin where she lives a busy life with her two active children, Hannah and Beau, and her husband Jeff. She is a freelance writer and artist, who also enjoys her dogs and spending time at the family cabin in the North Woods. She is working on her first novel. She has been published in the Chocolate series several times. lindapaints@hotmail.com

Stephanie Bernieris a 14 year-old student living in Quebec, Canada. She enjoys creative writing, reading, collecting penguins, singing, shopping and being with her friends and family. A competitive figure skater trained by Coach Marika Patoto, she dreams of one day competing in the Canadian Nationals. Stephanie dedicates her story with love to her mother, Wendy.

Ann Benson is the author of the novel, The Plague Tales, and four best-sellers on bead work. She is currently working on another novel.

Karen Berry, OSF, lives in Tucson, Arizona and has been a Franciscan Sister since 1962. Primarily a religious educator, she is also a writer, an Enneagram instructor, a Reiki practitioner, and a crafter. She has written many magazine articles, prayer pamphlets, and two books of Scripture reflections, Beyond Broken Dreams and Signs Along Our Way. Currently she is working on a book that links Enneagram personality types with the Gospel stories of healing. Her goal in life is to share the Franciscan values of joy, love for the Earth, and Gospel living. kberryosf@aol.com

Diane Gonzales Bertrand writes books for women of all ages. She is the author of Close to the Heart, Lessons of the Game, and Sweet Fifteen, all published by Arte Publico Press in Houston, Texas. It was during graduate school that her professors encouraged her to write stories and publish them. Because she didn't see enough books that featured Mexican-American characters, she wrote them herself. Her books have earned numerous awards, but her greatest accomplishments come in her daily roles as wife to Nick C. Bertrand and as mother to two teenagers, Nick and Suzanne. She teaches writing at St. Mary 's University in San Antonio, Texas. Dbertrand@stmarytx.edu

Suzanne Bertrand is a middle school student at St. Gregory’s School. She was born into a family that encouraged her imagination and her creativity. She hopes to combine her love of art and her love of animals into a career as a scientist who draws the animals she studies. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her parents, her brother, three Boxer dogs and dozens of stuffed animals.

Elizabeth Bezant was born in a small village in England and emigrated to Australia to marry and raise her young family. The continual flow of letters written by her, to the family she left behind, sparked a forgotten interest in writing. The basis for her positive, philosophical, fun and sometimes unusual, perspective on learning, living and life comes from the eventful life that she and her husband lead. An outlook that comes through in her now internationally published work. elizabethbezant@westnet.com.au

Lynne Biango is passionate about empowering women by sharing her personal experiences in writing. She has published one other article and served as an editorial assistant for film book author, Tony Villecco on the release of his book Silent Stars Speak. She works for the NYS Dept. of Disability Determinations full time and is a certified aerobics instructor part time. She is a theatre student at Broome Community College, Binghamton, NY taking acting courses and performing in plays. Her two favorite places to travel are New York City (it’s magical) and Florida (loves beaches and palm trees). When not on the go, she loves to snuggle in front of her television set with her two cats, Happy and Stubby. (607) 785-4419. IamSparklynn@aol.com

Alicia Billington is a 16 year old junior in the international baccalaureate program. She enjoys cross country, track, and the beach. She plays classical music on the piano, but also listens to rap in her free time. Her aspirations for the future are to attend Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and have a major in science. Adevilgal@aol.com

Kimberly Birkland is a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She’s written for her college newspaper in the Arts & Entertainment section. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she interned at the Lake Oswego Review newspaper last summer. She hopes to receive formal writing instruction in the future. ksbirkland@aol.com

Linda Blackman is a consultant, trainer and professional speaker. She shows executives how to make more effective presentations to all audiences. Linda teaches company spokespersons the secrets of handling the media. She is a former coast-to-coast TV reporter, anchor and talk show host. Linda knows how to transfer the power of the spoken word to you. (412) 682-2200. MsBlackman@aol.com

Valentina A. Bloomfield is a receptionist and switchboard operator who truly enjoys her job. She has been published in Chocolate for a Teen's Soul and Chocolate for a Woman's Blessings. She hopes in the future to write a children's book. She’s had stories published in her local newspaper and her poetry is published. She’s a member of the National Library of Poetry, and M. A. D. D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). She donates her free time helping others, and volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Love Letters. Her husband Keith and stepdaughter Jennifer reside with her in Vacaville, Ca. (707) 451-2490. Bloooomers@aol.com

Kay Bolden was inspired as a child to become a writer after reading a poetry collection by Gwendolyn Brooks. While she still dabbles in poetry, personal essays are her first love. She and her children live in Joliet, Illinois, where they share their backyard with a family of raccoons, a deaf squirrel, a stray frog, a pair of lost hummingbirds, and a pumpkin patch. k2bolden@aol.com

Maggi Boomer is married and works as a Central Supply distribution clerk at an area hospital. She is learning, through reading and meditation, how to live what she considers to be an authentic life, and she is currently studying the possibility of reversing her lung disease through alternative medicine and natural healing. (618) 465-5283.

Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., is the president of Mind/Body Health Sciences, Inc., and the author of several books including the Fire In The Soul, (New York Times best-seller), Minding the Body, Mending the Mind; and Guilt is the Teacher, Love is the Lesson. She co-founded and is a former director of the Mind/Body Clinic at New England Deaconess Hospital and was an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. One of the architects of the new medical synthesis called psychoneuroimmunology, Dr. Borysenko is herself a cell biologist, a licensed psychologist, and an instructor in yoga and meditation.

Maureen Bothe is a freelance writer currently penning two novels: a Victorian romance and a contemporary inspirational romance. Her website, www.maureenbothe.com, was a top ten finalist in Writer's Digest's Best Writer's Site Competition 2001. She sends thanks out to her sister Christine for helping her survive her camp experience. maureen@maureenbothe.com.

Margie Boulé is a general interest columnist for The Oregonian in Portland, Oregon. The winner of numerous national and regional journalism awards, She also has performed as a singer with symphony orchestras around the country and as an actress/singer in opera, musical theater, and with the band Pink Martini. She currently performs in Portland with ComedySportz, an improvisational comedy troupe. marboule@aol.com

Joy Boyd is a wife, mother and a motivational speaker. She believes in the "I Am's" and continues to utilize them in her workshops. She is currently studying for a degree in graphic design. (302) 836-1995.

Jennifer Boykin shares her Virginia home with her husband and their two sons. The theme of her work as a writer, speaker, and personal coach is "The Triumph of the Human Spirit," a legacy to which she has been committed since the tragic death of her infant daughter, Grace. Towards that end, she shares with others the principles of "Legendary Living" helping clients develop an integrated strategic vision and legacy plan. She has been published in The Washington Post and is currently writing her first book. To receive her complimentary email column, contact: Email: Jennifer@LegendaryLiving.com; Website: www.LegendaryLiving.com.

Judy Brand is a metalsmith, photographer, and freelance writer. She has been creating art jewelry since 1981. In 1996, she won a national award presented by the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America. Her short stories have been published in two anthologies, Texas Short Fiction: A World in Itself II; and Short Shots. She lives near Houston.

Kathy Briccetti has published her personal essays, opinion pieces, and feature stories in newspapers, magazines, and on public radio. Her memoir, Blood Strangers, chronicles the saga of four generations touched by adoption as well as her multiple journeys to find lost family members and reestablish broken ties. She lives with her partner and their two sons in the San Francisco Bay Area. kbriccetti@attbi.com

C. Yvonne Brown owns Better Communications in the Workplace. She is a trainer, retreat leader, consultant and keynote speaker. She offers communication workshops, "Humor in the Workplace" seminars, self-growth/motivation seminars and "Joy in Life" workshops. She uses one of her best loved tools - humor. She finds humor to be a positive choice in the experience of life and finds real joy in making life more fun for herself and others. (503) 848-8630.

Debra Ayers Brown has inspirational stories in Guideposts, the Chocolate series, Chicken Soup, and From Eulogy to Joy. She is Marketing Director for Savannah Technical College and an IBO with Quixtar, an internet-based company. She is a Southeastern Writer’s Association board member, a graduate of the University of Georgia, and has a Master’s of Business Administration. dabmlb@clds.net

Stephanie Ray Brown has been happily married to her high school sweetheart Terry for 15 years. She enjoys sharing stories about raising their two children, six year old Savannah and three year old Cameron. Their love story can be read in the book Love Letters Of A Lifetime. savvysdad@aol.com

Teri Brown is a freelance writer and homeschool author who lives, gardens and homeschools her two children in Portland, Oregon.

Nicole Dominique Burgan is a student at LaGuardia high school in Manhattan, New York where she studies acting. She enjoys the theater and has not yet decided what profession she wants when she finishes school. Her favorite thing to do is right poetry and short stories. It gives her a sense of meaning in a very chaotic world. She continues to submit different pieces of work to magazines and publishing companies and aspires to one day release her own book of poetry. Crew_of_five@juno.com

Renie Szilak Burghardt, who was born in Hungary and came to the United States in 1951, is a freelance writer. Some publications in which her work has appeared are Angels On Earth, Mature Living, Fate, Cat Fancy, Midwest Living, Nostalgia, The Friend, and others. She resides in Doniphan, Missouri. renieburghardt@semo.net

April Burk enjoys spending time at home in Archer, Florida with her husband, Samuel P. Clark and their daughters, Kayla and Sophie. She loves reading, walking, bicycling, movies, and writing. Her stories have appeared in the anthologies A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul; Forks in the Road; Mother Voices; and Pandemonium, or Life With Kids (re-released as I Killed June Cleaver). Her magazine writing includes ByLine; Florida Living; hip Mama; Mothering; Parents; and Welcome Home.

Marilyn Burkhardt began her career as a City Planner with the New York City Planning Commission. Writing is now her passion and she particularly enjoys writing personal essays. Her essays have been published in several New York area newspapers and in some journals. She is now retired and enjoys a very active life taking advantage of the many cultural events and facilities in New York. She exercises daily, and is particularly fond of swimming and other water-related activities. Ubram@aol.com

Arline Crawford Burton is now a Patient Representative in a hospital in Georgia. She is a lover of mankind — God's greatest creation. Kindness, love and understanding are her tools. The smiles her story, Angel of the Lord, brings are her reward.

Nancy Butler retired a few years ago with her husband and they moved from northern Illinois to Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. She spends her time writing, painting and playing golf. She loves to travel and her last trip (not including evacuating when hurricane Floyd hit the South Carolina coast) was to Antarctic. Her favorite place to visit is South Africa, followed closely by the Amazon. (843) 886-3393. NButler236@aol.com

Karyn Buxman, RN, MS, is from Hannibal, Missouri — home of the other great humorist — Mark Twain. She's the former editor for the American Association for Therapeutic Humor and Vice-president of The Journal of Nursing Jocularity, a national humor magazine for nurses. A leading national expert on therapeutic humor, Karyn Buxman wows audiences across the country, with programs like "Is the Noise in My Head Bothering You?" and "Jest for Success." She has authored countless articles and produced numerous audio and video tapes. To see how your group can benefit from some "mirth aid," contact Karyn at 1-800-8HUMORX. Email: karyn@humorx.com; www.Humorx.com

Christy Caballero is a freelance writer and photographer who lives in a quiet forested area in the Pacific Northwest. She writes for magazines, newspapers, rescue groups, and herself, and is most in her element on a woodland trail, beside the river or at the ocean. She writes about matters of the heart, and her love for animals — large, small, pets and wildlife. Her special bond with animals began with the massive German Shepherd who decided she belonged to him the day after she was born in Anchorage, Alaska. She says The Great American Novel is, of course, in the works. greeneyz@cport.com

Courtney S. wishes to remain anonymous. Her story was written for her by Michele Wallace-Campanelli. mswallace@juno.com

Christine M. Caldwell resides in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters, Brooke and Jillian. She is a graduate of Rutgers-Camden and has recently completed her first novel. ceecee013@aol.com

MicheleWallace Campanelli enjoys the part she's playing in creating a national best-selling Chocolate series. She lives on the space coast of Florida with her husband Louis. She is a graduate of Writer's Digest School and Keiser College. Author of Hero of Her Heart published by Blue Note Books and Margarita, Keeper of the Shroud published by Hollis Books, she finds writing to be her outlet for artistic expression. Currently she is working on the sequel to Keeper of the Shroud, short stories and a movie deal. www.MicheleCampanelli.com

Ande Cardwell is driven to explore her life on paper. She says don't mention this to her husband; he prefers to pretend their personal life is a secret. In addition to first-person essays, she writes poetry, children's stories that are really for adults, and short fiction. andecardwell@hotmail.com

Talia Carner is a novelist. Her novel, Puppet Child, was published in summer 2002. Her short stories appeared in Rosebud, Midstream, Moxie, and other literary reviews. Her personal essays appeared in The New York Times, Lilith, Glory (9/11) and Happy Times Monthly among many others. Please check her website, www.TaliaCarner.com or contact her at TaliaCarner@aol.com.

Fern Carness, MPH, RN, is a nurse health educator with a master’s degree in public health who happens to be a breast cancer survivor. She is an international speaker who specializes in the areas of women’s health, personal empowerment, and courage and survival. Known as the Voice for Women’s Health, she is also a partner in “Just Like a Woman,” a specialty lingerie store for women with medical needs in Portland, Oregon. (503) 636-7513. Ferncarn@teleport.com.

Michelle Carrington is a writer. Although her friends and family have always recognized her passion, it has taken her longer to admit. Now with eyes open to her dreams, she is at the beginning of her journey as a writer. She resides in Memphis, Tennessee. (800) 621-6403.

Gracie Cauble is deceased but her memory lives on through her humorous stories. Living into her 90’s, she ultimately continued writing by using Braille. She is survived by her husband, Al, and her story was contributed by her best friend of 50 years, Alice Hardman.

Kim Champion lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Wayne and her two teenage sons, Adam and Jonathan. She writes poetry, comedy and parody and has been writing personalized poetry for over twenty years under the name "Poetics Unlimited." She is a ventriloquist (thanks to the inspiration and kindness of Jimmy Nelson). She and her puppet, Stanley, have performed at Hospitals, Nursing homes, schools and private parties. She someday dreams of writing a bestseller. Bergen2123@aol.com

Lolly Champion works on legislation for women's health care, and participates in the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research programs as a peer reviewer, and sits on various boards following her diagnosis of breast cancer. Her mission is to change outcomes for women fighting and yet-to-fight breast cancer. Her greatest joy is teaching "Myths and Realities of Breast Cancer" and "Being Assertive in Your Health Care" and speaking to business, civic, and community groups about the benefits of early detection programs. For more information about what you and your community can do in fighting breast cancer, call her at (541) 382-9263. champ@empnet.com

Judi Chapman, MA, is a freelance writer living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She has worked as a university lecturer and as an Administrative Assistant. jchapman@edmc.net

Mitzi Chandler is a published writer and inspirational speaker on the subject of alcoholism, codependency and child abuse. Her books Whiskey’s Song and Gentle Reminders for Codependents focus on the trauma experienced by children in an alcoholic home and the recovery process. She worked as a nurse/counselor in alcohol rehab centers in Chicago and St. Louis. Her spare time is spent playing and growing with her three cherished grand children. (821) 661-7415

Alice T. Cheek is a former guest columnist for the Asheboro Courier Tribune Newspaper and spends most of time writing short story, screen plays, and is aspiring to release her first novel, Achievements Of Color. A native of Ramseur, North Carolina, she enjoys spending time with her son and serving in her church. The trials that she went through as a child have given her stronger faith and patience as an adult. Her motto is; "Every work you do is a self portrait. Autograph your work with excellence." (336) 869-1121

Shelly Clark earned a BA degree in early childhood education at Mcneese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in psychology. She uses writing as a healing agent and is working on her first book. Her most prized possession is a Dalmatian named Riley. (318) 462-2842. shellyclark@hotmail.com or sclark@mcneese.edu.

Chris Clarke-Epstein has done many things in her life-force successfully managing a seven million dollar sales territory, raising two mostly, self-sufficient children, to learning workplace truths while holding a real job in corporate America. But since 1984, Chris has turned her talents to energizing audiences around the world with a powerful blend of sound research, practical experience, and infectious enthusiasm. Chris often has blinding flashes of the obvious while on airplanes, has read every Star Trek novel ever published, and considers chocolate a necessity not a luxury! (715) 842-2467.

Debbie Clement is a freelance writer. Her inspirational stories are primarily about family and travels. Her work has been published in a professional magazine and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Debbie resides with her husband and son in the Metro Atlanta area. DLClement@atl.mediaone.net

Michelle Cohen is a former social worker with the developmentally disabled, and a longtime public speaker and volunteer to the AIDS community. She has written a thriller, and is currently working on a nonfiction collaborative work with her mother, Eileen Davis, titled Dear Mush (Letters Between a Mother and Daughter). (973) 597-9212. AMCoh@aol.com

Mindy Sue Cohen describes herself as a "renaissance woman ever evolving." Her "portfolio career" has required organizational expertise and finely tuned people skills. She's passionate about environmental concerns, is an avid gardner, a chaos tamer, cooking coach, photographer, creative idea generator, problem solver, writer and homeowner.

Terry Cohen enjoys writing as a means of self expression. She started writing as a young mother to entertain her children with humorous stories that were often read in the classroom. She produced a two-part story for the TV series Gentle Ben. She has owned and operated a successful antique store as well as two high-profile gift and home accessory stores. Occasionally she returns to the classroom as a volunteer in her Grandson's first grade class. She is compiling her life stories for an autobiography. Helowrld@aol.com

Mildred Cohn graduated from college with honors at age 68. She resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. MinkieCohn@aol.com

SuzAnne C. Cole taught English for many years at Houston Community College before retiring to write. She's authored college textbooks and To Our Heart's Content: Meditations for Women Turning 50 as well as essays, poetry, plays, and short fiction. The anthologies Gifts from Our Grandmothers, It's A Chick Thing, Grrrrr, Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul, Bless the Day, Get Well Wishes, Family Celebrations, Animal Blessings, and Mothers and Daughters include her work. She is deeply grateful for the support of her family and a wonderful group of friends. An earlier version of this essay was published as "The End of a Marriage" in Newsweek, June 22, 1998. SuzAnneCC@aol.com

Connie Conace worked full time and raised two sons as a single mother and has now returned to college to pursue a degree in English. Her goal is to write and enjoy life and her family to the fullest.

Ann L. Coogler enjoys life in Salem, South Carolina with her husband, Bill. She is a mother, grandmother, and former teacher. She contributes humorous writing to Writer’s Ink writing group and a variety of publications. Her story is written to God’s glory. (864) 944-1314. abcoog@mindspring.com

Delin Cormeny currently lives and works in New York City.

Kathleen Hilliard Coyne, Ed.D., is presently teaching at Lockwood Elementary School in Bothell, Washington (Northshore School District). She also serves as an adjunct education professor at Seattle University. She was the recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Education in Washington State. She and her husband, Dr. Robert Coyne, are speakers and published authors on the topic of building positive character within schools. (425) 489-6328. CannonBKMJ@aol.com

Wendy Craig-Purcell is the Senior Minister at The Church of Today in San Diego, CA. Wendy is a former skater with the Ice Capades before becoming the youngest ordained minister in the Unity movement. Her ministry is characterized by her personal strength and an attitude of open and unconditional acceptance. (619) 689-6500.

Lisa A. Crayton is a freelance editor and writer with a dual B.S. degree with honors in public relations and journalism from Utica College of Syracuse University. Her career began in corporate communications. Today, she lives her dream of becoming a freelance writer. Her credits include features, profiles, columns, fillers and essays. She has written for Decision, Woman's Touch, Black Collegian, Next Step, Life@Work Journal, Charisma, eYOUth! Urban Family, Advanced Christian Writer and others. A committed Christian, gifted Bible teacher and motivational speaker, she serves as a leader in her Maryland church where she delivers sermons and other motivational messages. dvscribe@worldnet.att.net