SHORT ‘N’ SWEET:

Becke Martin Davis is an RWA-PRO, writing (or attempting to write!) contemporary romance, paranormal and romantic suspense. She’s a long-time garden writer and the author of six non-fiction books. She moderates Barnes & Noble’s Mystery Book Club at BN.com and is on staff at the Romance University blog. 

THE LONG-WINDED VERSION:

I’ll get this out of the way right up front:  I’m older than dirt.  Well, I’m a Baby Boomer, anyway, and I’m a late-starter in fiction even though I’ve been an author (non-fiction) and freelance writer for many years.

I’ve always been addicted to reading, and I’ve been hooked on romance since I discovered Mills & Boon when I lived in England in the 1970s/80s.  I’d drifted away from romance for a decade or so, focusing more on mysteries, but Suzanne Brockmann and Nora Roberts brought me back into the fold.  Jenny Crusie’s books were the tipping point: I was hooked.

And then I followed a long-held dream and began to write fiction. Or I try to  –I’m still learning.

Ironically, my garden writing career is busier than ever, just when I’d decided to focus on writing fiction.  I moderate the Mystery and Garden Book Clubs at Barnes and Noble (BN.com) and, as of July 2009, I’m also writing a garden blog at BN.com’s Garden Variety:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Garden-Variety/bg-p/Garden_Variety.

I use my real name there: Becke Davis.  You can see my non-fiction titles here:

http://www.illinoisauthors.org/authors/Becke_(Rebecca)_Gail_Davis

I’ve met so many great authors at the Romantic Reads Book Club at BN.com, at the Lori Foster Readers and Writers Get Together, through my local RWA chapter and through the Cherries – my life has been enriched beyond measure.  I’m a faithful Bandita Buddy of the Romance Bandits, and I’m a Wiffer at Lani Diane Rich and Samantha Graves’ Will Write for Wine forums.

I’ve been encouraged and mentored by some great authors, both in my chapter and out.  I’d like to thank Jenny Crusie for giving me a push when I needed it, and Anna Campbell, Mary Kennedy, Lucy Monroe, Monica Burns, Dianne Castell/Duffy Brown, Annie Melton and, of course, Michelle Buonfiglio for their advice and encouragement.

In of July 2009, I joined Michelle Buonfiglio as a contributing editor to Romance: B(u)y the Book, blogging about Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense.  http://romancebytheblog.blogspot.com/

RBTB went on hiatus in 2010, and in January 2011 I joined the wonderful ladies at Romance University - Tracey Devlyn, Kelsey Browning, Adrienne Giordano, Jennifer Tanner, Carrie Spencer and Robin Covington.

Sue Belanger was my first critique partner, and I owe her a lot. Rosie Murphy (Gabriella Edwards) and Keri Stevens are my longtime CPs, and in the past year Jennifer Tanner (of Romance University) and I have become CPs, too. Many thanks to the lovely Pen & Cherries:  Julie, Jenifer, Stephanie, Tara, Elaine, Tenaya and Michelle. Thanks also to the Cherry Tarts:  Jan, Stephanie, MJ, Carol, Charlene, Jess, Jody, Amanda, Jessica, Ruth, Olga and all.

I want to give a shout-out to Debbie Haupt, Melanie Murray Downing, Dianne Castell aka Duffy Brown, Mary Kennedy, Mary Ulrich, Renee Vincent, Christina Wolfer, Tonya Kappes, Carey Corps, Lorie Moeggenberg, Keri Ford, Sienna Condy and Mary McFarland for their support and encouragement.

Thanks also to my NaNoWriMo support groups, including CherriesNoMo, and all the Cherries–starting with Jill, but also Robena, Gin, Ellen and the rest of my writing buddies.

I’m an RWA-PRO, which means I’ve both completed a story and had it rejected.  Actually, several stories have been completed, and I have a number of rejections to match. I’ve learned that perseverance is important but revision is even more important. Mainly, I’ve learned that writing is always going to be a part of my life.  I love books — I love to read them, I love to write them.  Who could ask for more?

The above is a truly dorky picture of me with the fabulous Hank Phillippi Ryan and the equally fabulous Michelle Buonfiglio at Harlequin’s 60th Anniversary party in Washington, DC in July 2009.

The pictures below were taken when my family met up in New York to see SUZANNE BROCKMANN’s play. She’s an amazing woman and she’s been one of my favorite authors for years! I visited the offices of BN.com while I was there, and met my muse’s cousins at FAO Schwartz! My last night there, I hung out with another fabulous author, ADDISON FOX.

I try to get to a couple of mystery and romance conferences every year, but the one I never miss is Lori Foster’s Reader Author Get Together in Cincinnati every June. Even though I’m in Chicago now, I still plan to go to that one if at all possible.