I wrote my autobiography in the seventh grade. It was titled “From Pillar to Post,” a title suggested to me by my mother to describe our family’s nomadic lifestyle. I wrote the autobiography out of a strong sense that I had already experienced a full life at the tender age of 13. I also discovered that writing was fun, “hard fun,” as someone tagged it, and for the next several decades I penned numerous essays and poems triggered by a strong emotional reaction to something I had seen or experienced. As much as I enjoyed writing, I never expected to write a novel. Instead, I had a long career in higher education, serving as a dean of students at a community college in Maine, and as an adjunct instructor at the college level.
When my husband Bill accepted a position as president of a small community college in downeast Maine, I became engaged in the economic challenges of the region and channeled my early love of the pen into grantwriting. Over the last several years, I worked as a grantwriter for the Passamaquoddy Tribe, rural communities, and non-profit organizations throughout Maine.
When my husband Bill accepted a position as president of a small community college in downeast Maine, I became engaged in the economic challenges of the region and channeled my early love of the pen into grantwriting. Over the last several years, I worked as a grantwriter for the Passamaquoddy Tribe, rural communities, and non-profit organizations throughout Maine.
Reenactors of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment
Then one day I heard the story of Billy Laird, a Civil War soldier from Berwick, Maine. My emotions inspired me once again. Instinctively I knew that his story deserved more than my traditional essay. A novel was in front of me, and I didn’t hesitate. Life is a circle, and here I am enjoying at last the passion that first consumed a young girl whose autobiography still sits on my desk.
Billy Laird's grave
Button from Billy Laird's uniform
Marcia and Dick Cylik, reenactors, 3rd Maine Regiment,
join me at an LLBean book signing to the delight of the customers!