pamela burford

Even when I was a youngster hooked on writing stories and plays, I never dreamed that one day I'd be a novelist. Not because I didn't think I had it in me, but because I already knew, with bone-deep certainty, that I was destined to be an archaeologist. I spent countless hours scouring the library stacks for books on the subject and can recall taking exhaustive notes on a book about Pompeii, which fascinated me. I was eight and my version of note taking was copying virtually the entire book in longhand. I want you to know I did take courses in archaeology in college and even got to visit Pompeii a few years ago (thrilling--I have to go back!), but ultimately I decided I needed a career that could actually support me. So I chose writing. Har.

In truth, I chose writing after dutifully following a corporate career path for a few years after college. Then my babies came along and I had a long, serious sit-down with myself. What kind of work did I really want to do? My practical side argued that actually getting a novel into print was a long shot--I had little chance of being published. Perhaps, my reckless side answered, but if you don't try, you'll have zero chance of being published.

What I've discovered is that writing novels is the hardest, most frustrating and mentally exhausting work I've ever known. It's also the most addictive and rewarding. Like most writers, I have a day job--in my case, one that's just as rewarding. I'm editor in chief of a nonprofit organization that produces free audio anthologies of magazine writing for adults who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print-disabled.

I'm the proud founder and past president of Long Island Romance Writers, a chapter of Romance Writers of America. You can read about that adventure and other random writing-related stuff on the Writing Blog page.

From the All in the Family Department: My twin sister, Patricia Ryan (yes, identical) is also a published author. She's the Good Twin, and yeah, I know what that makes me. Maybe I like being the Evil Twin! My daughter and nieces have been bitten by the writing bug as well. My husband and son are damn good writers, too, but they've chosen practical careers. Boys are silly.

just the facts, pam