Looking for an escape? Need help figuring out Scrivener? I can help with both.
Writing romantic suspense keeps me fully engaged with research, solving plot puzzles, and figuring out my characters. My books and classes on Scrivener and other tech tools for writers feed my inner geek and my desire to teach and help others. I love to engage with readers and students by answering questions, interacting on social media, and meeting in person at workshops and conferences.
When my work involves learning new things, solving problems, helping others, and digging into new technology, I’m in my element. I crave a constant mental challenge, which is probably why I was a systems analyst, business instructor, and manufacturing engineer before I started writing seriously.
I have wandering feet, and travel is in my soul. Luckily I married an Air Force engineer (recently retired) who feels the same way. We have two of the world’s best college kids and the world’s laziest golden retriever.
When not writing, teaching, or traveling, I’m usually jogging, practicing yoga or kung fu, reading, or hanging out with my family. We moved to Sacramento in June 2016, and we’re having fun exploring northern California.
Tower Bridge in Sacramento, CA
Public Domain (link)
Public Domain (link)
I asked Gwen a few questions ... because I am so nosy:
Kim: What was your favorite assignment and why?
Gwen: This is a tough one, because I love exploring, and there’s something to enjoy about every place. But, overall, northern Virginia/DC area was probably my favorite. There’s so much to do in the area, it’s very international and diverse, our kids had great schools, and the four seasons are all pretty bearable. And it’s so pretty! You can go from the museums and monuments on the National Mall to Great Falls Park on the Potomac in under 30 minutes. Plus, as a girl who grew up out west and overseas, being close to so many of our nation’s formative historical sites was surreal and amazing. (Boston was great for that too.)
Kim: What was the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of being a military spouse?
Gwen: The greatest reward by far is getting to see so much of the country. Not just visiting, but living in places I otherwise never would have, and then being able to take my time exploring those areas. You learn what’s the same about people everywhere, and what makes regions unique. I love getting that inside view. I’m an explorer and nomad at heart, so the military lifestyle suits me well. Having a husband who also loves traveling—and is awesome in so many other ways—makes the challenges worth it.
The biggest challenge for me was career instability. Until I started writing and training, I couldn’t take my work with me, so it was tough to get into a job as a programmer or manufacturing engineer knowing I’d never move up at the company because we’d be leaving in a few years. We were lucky enough to only have one six-month deployment, a few extended separations for training, and some jobs with frequent travel in my husband’s twenty-year career. Long and frequent deployments are a hardship for a lot of military families, and my hat is off to those spouses who can put up with the ops tempo many of our troops have had since 2003.
Kim: What have your learned (or seen) since moving to California?
The biggest challenge for me was career instability. Until I started writing and training, I couldn’t take my work with me, so it was tough to get into a job as a programmer or manufacturing engineer knowing I’d never move up at the company because we’d be leaving in a few years. We were lucky enough to only have one six-month deployment, a few extended separations for training, and some jobs with frequent travel in my husband’s twenty-year career. Long and frequent deployments are a hardship for a lot of military families, and my hat is off to those spouses who can put up with the ops tempo many of our troops have had since 2003.
Kim: What have your learned (or seen) since moving to California?
Gwen: Hmm. I’ve lived in California several times before, but Sacramento is new to me. And this little big city is far more interesting than most people give it credit for. Living here has confirmed for me that I’m much happier with a cool-but-mild winter. Coming off two years in Boston, I had little doubt, but I definitely didn’t miss walking my dog in single-digit temps, or digging out from under two feet of snow!
Since June, we’ve explored Redding and nearby Whiskeytown Lake, Mount Shasta, Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Berkeley, and Santa Cruz (one of my favorite CA cities, maybe tied with Pismo Beach). My list of future daylong and weekend trips is very, very long. ;-)
Mahalo for hosting me today, Kim!!
Since June, we’ve explored Redding and nearby Whiskeytown Lake, Mount Shasta, Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Berkeley, and Santa Cruz (one of my favorite CA cities, maybe tied with Pismo Beach). My list of future daylong and weekend trips is very, very long. ;-)
Mahalo for hosting me today, Kim!!
Pismo Beach
Public Domain (link)
Gwen is celebrating the release of BLINDSIDE, Book 3 in her Men of Steel series:
SHE’S RUNNING FOR HER LIFE
Framed for espionage, reformed hacker Valerie Sanchez has no choice but to run. Worse, when the proof of her innocence is destroyed, things turn deadly. Can she trust the sexy terrorist hunter who mysteriously turns up to protect her, or is he the real threat?
HE’S HOT ON HER TRAIL
Former Marine sniper Scott Kramer’s job was supposed to be easy. Follow the hot computer geek who stole plans for classified weapons until she meets her buyer, then let law enforcement take over. But when Valerie becomes an assassin's target, Scott's gut says she’s innocent. Now, he must risk his life—and his heart—to keep her safe.
Seagull at La Jolla Beach
I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about California! I loved visiting San Diego last summer for the RWA Annual Conference. You can check out pictures on my travel blog, Aloha On My Mind - search for San Diego at this link.
2. Comments are open through Sunday, February 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Monday, February 27.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Books 1 and 2 in the series
