TIDBITS:

Born in upstate New York, I have moved countless times up and down the East Coast of the United States. I currently reside on the Intracoastal Waterway, in South Carolina, but my heart will always remain in NJ and NYC!

I began writing around the age of nine, but didn't take it very seriously. In the mid 80's, I proved to myself and to others that I actually had some talent when I wrote a school essay lambasting the Parent's Music Resource Center about their views on music censorship. From that point forward, I had my eye on a writing career.

I originally wrote a suspense entitled "Smoke and Mirrors" that, "was so horrible, it belonged in the trash can". Ten years later, I moved on to Chick Lit. I have more of a twisted comedic style of writing. It's a take it or leave it attitude.

I'm a very eclectic person. I don't follow the rules...I don't break the rules...I just tend to make my own rules, within reason. Ordinary is boring. I'm all for individuality. What one person may think is odd, is truly art to another. Be you're own person, follow your own dreams and if someone doesn't like it, too bad. They will get over it. BUT don't criticize someone for feeling the way they do. If we were all the same, what a monotonous and mundane world this would be.

Nicknames:

AR, Sunshine, Boots, Sugar Britches, Honey Bee

Birthdate:

April 3rd

Eye Color:

Hazel

Hair Color:

Blonde

Height:

5'7"

Marital Status:

LOL!

Pets:

A Schnoodle named Duffy

Interests:

Writing, traveling, boating, swimming or any water sport, drawing, playing guitar, photography, walking, yoga, art and anything involving horses.

Greatest Passion:

Horses...there is nothing more beautiful than a wild horse running free.

Favorite Charities:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, the Best Friends Animal Society, the National Wildlife Federation, Paws-Ability and St. Jude.

Favorite way to relax:

Wine and Baroque music...or Yoga!

Favorite TV shows:

I didn't grow up watching much TV. My parents didn't believe in sitting in front of the boob tube. Reading was strongly encouraged, as was the outdoors.

My morning dose of TV consists of Headline News while I get ready for work. My guilty viewing is my soaps, which I record and watch in the evening.

My all time fav show is I Love Lucy.

Favorite Actors:

Jonathan Firth, William Devane and Morgan Freeman

Favorite Actresses:

Kathy Bates, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon and of course, Lucille Ball

Favorite Movies:

Sweet Home Alabama, The Notebook, The Lake House, Chocolat, Secret Window...I'm sure there's more

I'm an avid film buff and I love British actors. I’m fairly easy when it comes to movies. I’ll watch anything from a foreign film to an action movie to a chick flick. Thank God for Netflix ... no late fees and I can rent pretty much anything.

Favorite Music:

Oh dear...anything from Baroque to Country to Hard Rock.  I'll listen to anything and everything! It's an eclectic mix.

Favorite Song:

Believe it or not...Amazing Grace and Pachelbel's Canon in D Major

Favorite Authors:

Leo Tolstoy, Dean Koonz, Michelle Cunnah, Sandra Hill and James Patterson

Favorite Books:

Tolstoy's "War and Peace" and Darwin's "Origin of Species"

Literary Memberships:

Chick Lit Writers of the World, RWA and NJRW

Languages:

English and French. I know sign language, but I would probably need a refresher course at this point. I Would love to learn something a little more different...like Danish!

Pet Peeves:

Censorship (music, books, etc.) and racism...I have zero tolerance for both! And people who ask for my opinion, then chastise it. It is my opinion, and it is neither right nor wrong. But it is mine! And ANIMAL ABUSE! You better run like hell if I ever catch you harming an animal, in any way, shape or form!  'Cause I will hunt you down like a rabid dog!

Best Experience:

Working with lions and tigers, adults and cubs, for a week (I was sick with pneumonia and ringworm for three months afterwards, but it was worth it!!)

Worst Experience:

Grandma Kay & Little Ricky's deaths.

Favorite place to visit:

So far, I would have to say either Bryce Canyon or Zion Canyon.

Dream Vacation:

The Galapagos Islands...Bring on the blue footed boobies and the albatrosses!

Other projects in the works:

Poetry...Being a lover of poetry, I have a passionate attraction to the art. Forever composing my own poems, a compilation will one day be available for publication.

Nonfiction...Beginning initial research on "Call of the Rail". A historical look at the rhythmical Gandy Dancers and their legendary rail calls.

Favorite Quotes:

I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself. -D.H. Lawrence "Self-Pity"

“There's no excuse to be bored. Sad, yes. Angry, yes. Depressed, yes. Crazy, yes. But there's no excuse for boredom, ever.” -Viggo Mortensen

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." -Buddha

"All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know." -Ernest Hemingway "A Moveable Feast"

Amanda's Personal Quotes:

Save a life, adopt a shelter pet.