September 11, 2001
 
 
 
 

I was born in New York State and grew up on a dairy farm on the shore of Lake Ontario. We had Holstein dairy cattle, cats (many), a dog, and almost 500 acres of farmland.

I loved the lakeshore . . . when you are a child alone in the summertime, it calls you. I loved it early in the morning best, just after sunrise, when it was silent except for the gentle swish of water on stone and the call of the occasional gull. I picked up a couple of buckets of water-smoothed quartz stones over time, and imagined they were diamonds. 

My writing was formed by a number of early influences, including books on Greek, Roman and Norse myths from my grade school library, my Grandmother Lance's Victorian novels, and her copy of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE which I read when I was around fourteen and loved. I was also a mystery buff, and became a fan of romantic suspense with MISTRESS OF MELLYN by Victoria Holt and later, THE VENETIAN AFFAIR by Helen McInnes which I found in my high school library. I read all of Jane Austen's works in the following years, and all of Georgette Heyer. I finished my first manuscript in 1991...a 925 page Regency historical I have since nicknamed "The Regency That Ate New York."

I graduated from SUNY at Oswego, New York, spent a few years as a nursing assistant, then returned to graduate school for a Master's degree in psychology and counseling. I met my late husband Fred, and went to work for the county in the area of social work. 

I am employed by the county still, and never stopped writing. But I never wrote for publication until after Fred died, when I decided to turn my attention to a serious pursuit of becoming an author. I learned that publication does not come easily!  Joining my local RWA chapter was the best thing I ever did to help me along that road, and I have made wonderful friends that I will keep for a lifetime. If you write and are serious about publishing a romance novel, I can't recommend joining RWA enough. 

In addition to writing about the Regency Period, I also write contemporary romances, and I prefer an element of suspense in mine. I also include humor. My husband used to say, "Don't cry about it, laugh about it!" Laughter isn't the cure for all of life's ills, but a positive attitude and a laugh along the way is a great help.

Wishing you happiness and laughter,

Laurie

Tojo's Page