Her dream life was one in which she was happily married with three children...and a cottage by the lake. When she was 15 years old, she found the man of her dreams on the bleachers of a neighboring high school's basketball game and five years later made good on her promise to herself to marry him. Today, twenty-five years later, they have three wonderful children -- ages 22, 20 and 16 -- and have found a lasting love. The cottage is still merely a wish dancing in the cool breezes off Lake Huron or Lake Michigan, but as with everything in her life, Helen has not given up hope.

      She began her writing career when her youngest child was still an infant. At that time, she was a Brownie Leader and couldn't help but inform the world of her troop's adventures. She keeps track of the girls' adventures and under cover of darkness slipped their escapades through the mail slot in the door of the local  newspaper. Both Leader and Brownies were delighted when the stories showed up week after week. One evening as she shoved a two-page article into the slot she turned and bumped right into the publisher. When he discovered her identity, he offered her the job she would ultimately love and hate for the next 15 years. Since that moment, she has worked as a reporter/photographer for several local newspapers, including The Ann Arbor News and most currently The Milan News-Leader. Included in her work are special sections, news articles, sports coverage, feature articles, new business write-ups and a variety of photography.

      Feeling the wanderlust to reach further, Helen broke into online freelance writing as well. To date, her work appears in various online magazines and newsletters and in several print anthologies. She recently finished a romance novel and has begun outline work on a second. She has co-edited two anthologies which are slated to hit the book stores in summer of 2002 and 2003. She also is a big fan of myth and folklore and can't wait to add the finishing touches to her tale, In Search of Magic, a book that depicts her family as elves who must find a certain type of magic -- long gone from existence -- in order to save their world.

Helen:  I’ve always loved forget-me-nots.  The flower is beautiful and the name sticks with you.  Forget-me-nots…  Doesn’t it just make you think of love and family, and all the things you hope never to forget?  On the suggestion of a friend, I put a twist on the word “nots” making it “knots,” as in the knots that bind loved ones together.  And I guess I have to give my muse some credit.  She reminded me that the front porch is the keeper of oodles and oodles of childhood dreams and memories too valuable to forget.

But seriously, all silliness aside, in my experience when the need to share surfaces, the author usually has little control over what he or she writes.  When you’re “in the zone,” all you’re concerned with is getting the words committed to paper as soon as possible; that’s how this project was for me.

Janet: This is an anthology. How did you find all the authors you included?

Helen:  I plastered my call for submission all across the Internet and encouraged the writers I knew to submit.  In the end, those who had a story to tell ultimately found me.

Janet: Was it hard to narrow them down? How did you decide which ones to include?

Helen:  One of the hardest things for me to do is tell an author their work is not right for one of my books.  In putting together the Forget Me Knots anthologies, I search for stories that speak to me.  If I find myself nodding, a smile sliding across my lips, or my brow puckered in understanding, tears threatening, the decision has already been made.   I understand that rejection is very painful, but authors have to develop a thick skin if they want to survive in this business.  I believe in turning negatives into positives whenever possible, and am always willing to work with authors, but if their story doesn’t fit, it just doesn’t fit.  I’m not an editor who pats everyone on the head and admires every word put onto paper, but I also am not a witch.  I’m honest and thorough, and I am loyal to the manuscript.  I rejected some of my own stories that for one reason or another did not fit.
 
Janet: You seem to have close family ties. Can you tell us a little bit about your own family?

Helen: I’ve been very blessed when it comes to family. As number seven in a family of sixteen children, I was brought up believing in the power and strength of family.  We rely on one another.  Though Mom was promoted five years ago and we miss her terribly, we know she’s still with us in spirit.  Not a day goes by when we don’t think of her.

Our family is close-knit – we keep in touch on a daily basis.  My sister Veronica is my best friend and always will be.  One day when we were teen-agers and fighting like a couple of cats, Mom shook her head and asked why we were so stubborn.  Couldn’t we see we would always find friendship with one another?  She was right.  I’m not sure I could exist without her to lean on when the going gets rough.  I will always have my husband, children and friends, but sometimes you really need someone who knows you inside and out.  And who could fit that requirement better than a sister?

Janet: How did you get started writing?

Helen:  From the time I could carry a Big Chief tablet around, I was writing something.  In fact, Big Chief was a nickname my Dad reserved for me.  He got a kick out of flipping the tablet closed, just to annoy me.  I’d draw my eyebrows together and reprimand him with one of my sternest looks, compounded by an unnatural growl or high-pitched whine.  When I figured he’d gotten enough, I’d open the tablet up again and continuing writing, only to have him flip the notepad closed again.  His chuckles turned to outright laughter at my frustration, but when tears threatened, he’d realize he’d gone too far.  Then he’d grab me up and tickle me until the tears rolling down my face were of the happy variety.

Janet: Have you written any other books? Is it easier to do a whole book on your own, or to collect and edit the stories from other people?

Helen: I think it’s easier to do your own book.  After sitting on the shelf for two years, I finally submitted my romance manuscript to several major publishing houses.  Dance of Deception is the first complete novel I ever wrote.  An anthology is safer – you don’t stand on that limb all alone.  Still, I can’t wait for my name to appear solo.

Janet: I am fascinated by your email address. It is Stellas16@aol.com . Your name is Helen. Is there some special meaning to that?

Helen: Stella’s 16 Flavors was the name of an ice cream parlor I opened and operated for three years.  Stella was my mother’s name and, of course the number 16 represents her children.  To make it authentic, I ordered a freezer compartment with 16 wells. The parlor was one of my dreams.  Not unlike my writing urges, one day I got the push and knew I couldn’t stop until the idea had gone full circle.  I named my establishment in honor of Mom.  It was her Mother’s Day gift.  I’m so glad I did it when I did.  At the time, no one knew she was sick.  We’re all grateful she got to visit at least once.  God’s divine hand definitely played a role in making it all come together.

Janet: What is the biggest challenge to you regarding your writing?

Helen: Focus.  Whatever the reason, I have a hard time focusing on one thing at a time.  I’m not sure whether putting too many things on my plate is a set-up for failure or for success, but either way I can’t seem to stop myself from heaping on the work.

Janet: What is the best part of it?

Helen:  The best part of being a writer…floating from one universe to another without ties.  The best part of being a wife…the security of knowing you have a “safe zone” with someone who shares your goals and dreams, and who understands and loves you unconditionally.  The best part of being a mom…seeing the absolute best part of you grow in leaps and bounds before your very eyes, growing stronger every day, more confident and better equipped to face the world than you ever could have been at their age.  The best part of being a sibling…knowing you always have someone there to count on, someone who has walked the same paths, shared the same childhood secrets.  The best part of being an author…knowing there are no limitations, no steadfast rules that must be followed, no stops, not even one red light to slow you down.

Janet: Have you done much PR for your book? If so, what? And how has it worked?

Helen: PR is extremely important and anyone who wants to have a bestseller on their hands has to be willing to go the distance.  My goals for 2003 include: an interview online and in a newspaper or print magazine at least once a month; at least one new book review up somewhere every week – whether that is me reviewing someone else’s book and including my book in the signature line or Forget Me Knots from the Front Porch being reviewed by someone else; organizing and planning at least 2-3 book signings per month; emailing all the libraries in all of the states; calling all the major book stores and requesting they carry a copy of the book; going door to door to the local bookstores and Mom and Pop gift shops and promoting myself and my authors; participating in Literacy Day events and reading to preschoolers; sending postcards with my author/book information out with every bill I pay; informing telemarketers about my book after I listen to their speech (I think I got that one from you, Janet!); passing out business cards; leaving information about my book with every restaurant tip I give; placing a postcard on every keyboard in every office I enter; and finally passing out information everywhere I go – be that teacher conferences, wedding showers, baseball games or any other function.  I thought about going to the movie theater and putting up flyers on the inside of the bathroom doors – not much chance of missing the information that way – but I’m afraid someone might considered it a bit much, so I’m holding off until I’ve thought it through more carefully.  At the very least, I don’t want to get caught. <G>

Janet: Your publisher is Obadiah Press. How did you find them, and how were they to work with?

Helen: Can you say serendipity?  <G>  A co-author and I met Tina Miller when she was in Michigan for a conference; we picked her up for lunch.  We didn’t even know she was a publisher – just a mutual online friend visiting our town for a weekend and in need of company.  We kept in touch afterwards.  When I told her about my book, she said she’d be interested in having first dibs.  Though we are both writers, our friendship had not revolved around work so that was the first time I realized she was a publisher!

Janet: What has been the biggest reward of having your book “out there” so far?

Helen:  I’d be lying if I didn’t say seeing my name in print was a thrill, but mostly knowing a piece of my family continues in this world tops the chart for me.

Janet: What are you working on now?

Helen: I’m busy getting the second book in the Forget Me Knots series out the door and another anthology about angel visitation called Down Came an Angel, which hopefully will be ready in winter 2004.  I have my fingers crossed that my romance finds favor with an editor, and as usual, I’m working on about 12 projects.  But of all my work, my elf book takes center stage.  It’s called In Search of Magic and takes place on my childhood stompin’ grounds.  Mom is Queen Stella of the Elfin Nation, with Dad at her side.  And in this one, I get to be the heroine.  It’s an effervescent feeling, and I absolutely love it!

Janet: Are there more Forget Me Knots books in the future? If so, what are they?

Helen: Definitely!   Forget Me Knots beyond the Garden Gate will be out by late summer or early fall of this year, the next couple in the series –Forget Me Knots in the Back Pew and Forget Me Knots along the Shore will be my adventures for 2004.  I encourage everyone to check out my website – there may be an upcoming anthology they could contribute to!

Janet: If a genie suddenly appeared from your magic bottle, what would you wish for?

Helen:  Easy. Hands down, I wish Mom was sitting in the chair next to Dad tonight watching some mundane program on TV, waiting for the cake in the oven to bake, perhaps bouncing a grandchild on her lap…dreaming the dreams only she could dream.

Janet: Do you have any “words of wisdom” for beginning writers, now that you are an “old pro”?

Helen:  Old?  I beg your pardon?  <G>  Yes, actually, I do have some words of wisdom: be yourself.  Regardless of what others tell you to do, be true to yourself.  You can only write what you truly believe.  If you write children’s stories, write them with gusto.  It you write poetry, pour your heart out and let the world know your inner self.  Regardless of what your talent is, it is YOUR talent.  Only you can nurture it and bring it to life.  And don’t feel that you need to be true to one type of writing.  Flexibility is necessary in this business.  Today children’s stories, tomorrow romance – you just never know where your muse will lead you.

Janet: Before we go, where can people find your book? And where can they expect to find you next?

Helen: Forget Me Knots from the Front Porch is available through the Obadiah Press website, all major bookstores, and online at Walmart.com, barnesandnoble.com, and Amazon.com as well as many other online bookseller sites.

Janet: Thank you for spending this time with us. This is your last chance; any last thoughts you’d like to share with us?

Helen:  Thank you so much for talking with me today and helping to promote my book!  I’d also like to thank my authors again for sharing their work with me and for sticking by me as I flounder around suffering from first-time-itis, and I’d like to thank Tina for all she’s done, as well.  It’s such a huge learning process and I can be pretty thick-headed at times.  Everyone’s been great.  I encourage everyone to stop by my websites at www.geocities.com/forgetmeknotsanthology and www.thewriterslife.net/downcameanangel.html to see how they can become a Knots author and preserve their family memories forever between the pages of a book..