Good morning, Anjalie. When did you join NTRWA? How did you hear about us, and what nudged you to join us?

I walked into the NTRWA chapter meeting in January of 2006 and joined, almost literally, on the spot. I linked to several local chapters through the RWA website hoping to find a group that I could establish a rapport with. Since La Hacienda Ranch sits less than a mile from my house, NTRWA seemed a logical first stop. I slipped into the banquet room imagining that I could find a nice inconspicuous corner to absorb Karen Whiddon's advice on "plodding" and scout out the group. I hadn't counted on Carolyn and company. I got exactly one step inside the door before they whisked me off to meet and greet. It was too loud and too fast to recall those introductions in detail, but, without exception, you all greeted me warmly and welcomed me as a colleague. The air vibrated with such a wonderful sense of purposeful creative energy that I forgot all about finding a corner.  I tossed my list of local chapters and wrote my membership check before signing in, buying a raffle ticket or even sitting down.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing fiction for a little over two years. 

What have you written? What is your work in progress?

I completed my first manuscript, Magus Guardian, this past Fall. The urge to write it grew out of my long love affair with both the fantasy and romance genres and the desire to blend them in a way that yields a fast-paced story that is satisfying for the heart. I plan to continue writing in the sword and sorcery subgenre and hope someday to produce for publication a fantasy series exploring my own mythical world of magic wielders. Each novel will, of course, be a romance in nature. You can get a taste of Magus Guardian at http://www.warriorsofthemagus.com.

I understand you recently earned your PRO status. To whom did you submit Magus Guardian?

I submitted to the Vivian Beck Agency.  In a very kind rejection letter, Ms. Beck, a fellow RWA® member, passed.  It was very cool to be able to morph rejection into something as positive as my PRO pin.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, where you grew up.

I am the youngest of four daughters. My mother was a grade school teacher and my father a geophysicist. Both parents were the first in their families to complete college. Read into my Dad's occupation the certainty that I moved constantly growing up. I remember one almost yearlong stretch where we moved about every 6 weeks from one oil field to the next. I have visited every continent but one and had been around the world twice before my eighth birthday. No wonder I feel comfortable world building in the fantasy genre.

For the past fifteen years, I have lived in Euless (my husband's hometown) and have no plans to move if I can help it.     

What's your greatest accomplishment?

I am proud of a decision I made about a decade ago to turn my back on the corporate world, giving up a fat paycheck as a Systems Analyst for Dr. Pepper to be a poor, but happy, stay at home Mom. It took years of saving and then years of spending the savings; but it was all worth it to be there for my kids whenever they needed their Mom. I can honestly say I treasured every single day.

Now that my children are older, I have decided to begin my professional life again. In August, you can find me at Austin Middle School in Irving ISD teaching 7th grade Math. About 35 percent of my students are limited English speakers and 88 percent are economically disadvantaged, but despite their circumstances, these kids are hungry to learn and get a quality education. What a privilege and at the same time what an awesome responsibility it will be to make sure they get it.

What do you struggle with in your writing?

Setting a goal of becoming a master writer is a tall order.  As a novice writer, I struggle with being overwhelmed.  I know just enough to be truly alarmed by what I don't know about writing.  Luckily, the only thing I don't struggle with is the conviction that I will do it someday. 

Finally, who are your favorite authors? Who is your favorite fantasy/romance author?

J.R.R. Tolkien is my favorite author. I believe Fantasy writers are indebted to him. Not only did he resurrect the grand themes of our rich oral tradition, but he breathed new life into them creating a genre that resonates powerfully with a growing modern audience.

Fantasy evokes images of heroism and epic clashes of good and evil in magical, faraway lands. I believe it is this dreamy nostalgic feel that lends Fantasy so beautifully to romance. For me, the complicated but enduring devotion of lovers like Diana Gabaldon's Claire and Jamie Fraser (Outlander series) and Jennifer Roberson's Del and Tiger (Sword series) are especially moving examples of this blend.

Gina, like several of our NTRWA members, I am also a member of FF&P, our special interest sister chapter for Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal writers in the RWA.