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ABOUT RITA 
I've been around for a while now, writing, submitting and getting published here and there. I honestly write because I must and publishing is just the extra reward. I first started writing songs, way back in the '70's, plunking them out on my guitar. In the early 80's I wrote fiction and then wrote some plays and skits because I had an outlet for my work. I've always loved theatre, dance and drama and found the stage an exciting venture and great fun. I attended my first writer's conference at Seattle Pacific University in the early '80s and came away convinced I should try non-fiction. Shortly thereafter I published my first piece in "Aglow Magazine." I was so happy I was "aglow" for a week. (Sorry) Then, the 90's came and I hit a dry spell. The book I was working on was too controversial for the market and I couldn't seem to pull out of my slump, so I quit. Oh, I still wrote for myself but I didn't try to publish anything. The drive to be published and successful had taken all the joy out of writing. I needed distance. I decided to pursue the ministry so I returned to school and earned my Masters in Theology, helped my husband plant a church and start a small Bible College. I enjoyed it for a season, but never felt the fulfillment writing gave me. I knew one day I'd return to my passion, I just didn't know when. It was 1999 before I tried my hand at publishing again and secured an agent to represent my children's books. I illustrated two of the four I had written. My agent sent them out to everyone in the business but could find no takers. Discouraged and knowing it wasn't time yet, I quit again. My husband and I moved our ministry to Arizona and planted another church where I took a leadership role, first as assistant pastor and then pastor. I loved teaching and ministered to our small flock to my best ability but deep inside I knew this wasn't the vocation for me. Nevertheless, I knew I must wait on the Lord to change my direction. Finally in the summer of 2005 God called me to writing again. I had a desire but had no burning message or story that clamored to get out. I just sensed it was time to concentrate on whatever God wanted me to write. Every time I prayed I heard "screenplays." I laughed. He might as well have said paste feathers on your arms and fly. Instead, I sent out some articles, reprints and poetry. They boomeranged back so fast I was sure they'd never been read. I sent out some fiction and found homes for a couple of stories but I knew I was missing the mark. More prayer, more "screenplays." More submissions, more rejections. I finally quit laughing and gave in. I bought a couple of books on screenwriting, dusted off an old play and started converting it into a screenplay. I had no idea how hard it would be. After a few weeks, I realized at this rate it would take years to master the craft and told God so. I also told him I was too old to start a career in screenwriting . . . he reminded me of Sarah. So I prayed for him to teach me the craft, fast. I told him I'd trust him and follow his lead and he assured me I wouldn't be disappointed. I pledged not to ponder the impossible but to focus on the incredible which is God and His awesome power. So, I'm back, strong, confident and as full of ideas as a tick on a dog. Amazing how easy it is to follow God when you know you don't have a pig's chance at a barbeque of making it without Him. I know I'm going to make it, be what He wants and enjoy the journey. Oh yeah, the statistical stuff: I've been married to the same guy since 1972; have 3 grown sons, and 4 grandchildren. I was born in California, grew up in both Montana and Arizona, moved to San Francisco, then on to Oregon. After 11 years we moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area and did a yo-yo, moving to Oregon and back in one year. Then another stint in California before migrating to Washington State where we spent the next 8 years. Our most recent move in October of 2001 brought us back to my roots and Arizona. I belong to: Graduated from:
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