I just found and subscribed to this site today so am still exploring the whole thing. I've found many of the pieces I've read so far to be very interesting and they appear to be things quite helpful in my process of learning more about writing, hopefully marketing my talent(s) someday too!

I live in central Pennsylvania - about 35 miles from University Park the main campus of Penn State and as a graduate of that fine university, I am also a devote Nittany Lion fan!

Although I did work for about 7 weeks 3 1/2 years ago for the local daily newspaper - hired by them as a trainee with no background at all in writing, just my interest in that field really - apparently they felt I was a case of an old dog who couldn't learn new tricks because they canned me! Since then however, I have had one essay published in the March 2003 issue of the "State College Magazine" and found a small, local monthly newsletter type publication and usually have two, sometimes more, articles in every issue the editor/publisher manages to get put together. And, I've found I love doing that and also, that apparently I have a smallish following of people who like what I have had in that venue. The drawback is the newsletter is in really dire straits, doesn't get put out on a regular basis then and it is also an unpaid venture for me as I know the editor/publisher can't pay me at this point in time. She tried to do that for the first 2 years but for the last year, I volunteered to do my articles as my contribution to try to help her keep operating.

I am unable to work outside my home due to some health issues and as such, am on disability. Divorced for 26 years now, having raised 3 children as a single parent, went through college as a returning adult and graduated at age 50 only to be unable to use my degree for whatever reason - couldn't get an interview even which leads me to think it may have been age related, I'm currently involved in helping my younger daughter with her two small children. (She and her spouse, their two little ones and his teenage daughter live with me.)

I love to read! I've found I also enjoy writing very much too but it's a very new entity in my life - only about three years old - and I am very much an "untrained" writer. One of my favorite areas of interest is history - particularly family history stuff and local history. For the past year, I have been involved in a grassroots effort in PA pertaining to state political issues and through that, I have been introduced in a round-about manner to many of the top notch political journalists in this state and love to read the diatribes they frequently publish in many of the major newspapers in this state.

I could probably ramble on about more things I enjoy, other interests, etc. but for this forum, I think perhaps these are the ones most important for others to learn about me and my basics.

I'm very much looking forward to learning more and more about this craft and putting it into usage then in my "work."

Since it's "A Beautiful Day in Pennsylvania", here's hoping your day is too!

Jeni