Guest Post with author Charlotte Stout

I have been an avid reader all my life. My mother was a voracious reader too. She would go to the library every week to pick up books for herself and books to read to us children. I can hardly remember a time in the evening when my mother didn’t have a book tucked under her chin devouring the words at warp speed. My father was a big reader too. He read magazines like Life and Look, non-fiction biographies or autobiographies, and he read the whole set of Encyclopedia Britannica just for fun. I’m serious!

I definitely picked up the reading gene from both my mother and father. I loved the trips to the library especially when I was old enough to pick out my own books. I thought that was so cool. I read anything and everything to include being a Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys fan.

As I grew older I developed such respect for the authors whose work I read. I adored how they put the words together to tell a story. I would read certain passages in a book over and over again because I loved the flow, the rhythm of how the words came together and the intent behind the words. The art of writing and storytelling held me spellbound and I wanted to be a person who could work magic with words like the authors I read.



However, rather than going immediately into a career of writing fiction my career moved in the direction of being a human resources executive for different entities for a period of twenty-five years. In this capacity I was responsible for writing official policies, procedures, position papers in response to EEOC complaints, investigative findings of alleged infractions by employees, letters of reprimand, discipline or termination and other official, serious, clear, concise and legally correct documents. There was nothing hot or fun about this form of writing. It was intense and held consequences if I’s weren’t dotted and t’s weren’t crossed correctly.

Then in 1997 I penned one hundred twenty pages of a novel about a woman who wants her husband dead for a variety of reasons. I finished those one hundred twenty pages a couple of days before two girlfriends (Patty and Bev) and I were scheduled to make a trip to the Grand Canyon to celebrate completing my Master’s Degree.

I took the draft of the novel along with me on the trip and both Patty and Bev read every word. Their reaction to the story was a huge confidence booster. As they read they would make comments like, “holy cow,” “what the heck,” “Man, she’s in for it.” I loved hearing those unsolicited comments. They wanted to know “the rest of the story” so we sat together in lawn chairs in front of the Buckey O’neill cabin at the Grand Canyon giggling as we discussed various scenarios for how the story might proceed.

Patty and Bev are also avid readers so I valued their opinion and feedback. The enthusiasm they exhibited meant so much to me I decided that one day I would finish that story. Patty, Bev and I have been on many trips since then and each time we talk about my writing and they razz me about finishing that very first novel. They were the first friends to purchase my novel “Seattle Delight” and I am sure they will be the first to buy succeeding novels. They are the best friends one could ever have. So, I have them to thank for encouraging me to pursue what has been a flickering interest in the back of my mind since 1997.

As a footnote, the novel I started back in 1997 is still in the works. I have promised Patty and Bev that I will complete it not only for me but for all three of us in memory of that trip to the Grand Canyon.

Charlotte Stout will be giving away a $75 Amazon Gift Card during the tour. Be sure to check out the other blogs on the tour at http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-book-tour-seattle-delight-by.html 

About the Author: 

Charlotte lives in Arizona with her hunky husband Warren, and her spoiled Silky Terrier, Tess. Her life has been filled with serious endeavors, including earning a Master's degree, owning her own business, consulting and working in the corporate world as a human resources executive. Before penning her first novel, Charlotte had written several practical guides for business applications, not exactly steamy stuff. Luckily, she never lost sight of her dream to write a novel that would encompass her passion for gorgeous men, adventure and a love of life.

Visit her website at http://www.charlotteastout.com or her blog at http://www.charlotteastout.com/blog.