A while back, I was on Alicia Dean's blog recounting 10 moments that changed my life. So I thought turn about was fair play for Alicia to tell us her moments. Happy Birthday, Alicia!
Alicia Dean – 10 Moments that Changed my Life
1. July 1, 1961 – My birth in Seminole, Oklahoma – I guess it didn’t
really ‘change’ my life, but it started it, so I thought it worth a mention,
especially since today is my birthday. Side note, although most people who know
me have already been told, I was born the same day and year as Princess Diana.
2. Around 1967 – I discovered Elvis. I don’t recall the
exact moment that I discovered him, but my younger sister recalls me pointing
her out to him when she was 5ish and I was 7ish. So, it was some time before
then that he came to my attention. Elvis has been such a huge part of my life
for as long as I can remember. Watching his movies and listening to his music
has brought me indescribable joy over the years.
3. Approximately 1970 to 1971 (Can you tell my memory
sucks?) - Writing my first story, a romance called
“Just Pretend.” In my author bio I mention writing my first romance when I was
11, but while writing this list, it occurred to me that I moved to Missouri
when I was 11, and it seems like I wrote the story a while before then. So
we’ll say I was 9 or 10. J I might have to
amend the bio.
4. July of 1972 - Moving to Missouri with my family (my parents and my
four siblings). We lived in Oklahoma City and it was during a tumultuous time
when the court-ordered ‘Finger Plan’ was implemented which forced students to
be bused across the city in order to force desegregation, rather than allowing
them to go to school in their own districts. (Not that the schools didn’t
‘allow’ other races to attend, it was just that the different parts of the city
were more or less broken up into various races sort of organically) There were
riots and fights and the area went downhill quickly. We moved to Missouri to a
quaint, lovely, idyllic town. When my parents first told us we were moving, we
were devastated to leave our friends. But, in no time at all, we were in love
with Missouri and thought we’d landed in paradise. Three months later, our
house burned down, and we ended up moving back to OKC, and we were even more
devastated to go back than we were to leave.
5. August of 1973 or 1974 – I met a group of friends
who became my ‘sisters.’ We shared everything – secrets, good times, bad
times, we got into trouble together, cried on one another’s shoulders, and grew
into womanhood together. While not all of us are still in contact, I will
forever treasure those friendships and memories. Among the group was Paige, who
became and still is my best friend. She and I have shared even more as the
years have gone by and we are about to grow into geriatric-hood together. J I wouldn’t trade a single moment.
6. August 16, 1977 – Elvis’ death. I know it’s
difficult to understand, considering I didn’t ‘know’ him but Elvis’ death was a
tremendous blow. As I mentioned, he was a huge part of my life. I truly felt as
though I’d lost a piece of me. He was so young, so gorgeous, so talented. I’d
seen him in concert in 1975, 1976, and 1977, and I was looking forward to the
time he’d return in 1978, so I could see him for a fourth time, and the year
after that, and the year after that… I couldn’t believe he was really gone. I
still get emotional about him. Yes, I know, it’s weird. But it is what it is.
7. January 13, 1984. Marrying my now ex-husband. (It was a Friday.
Yes, I got married on Friday the 13th. Those who know my ‘twisted’
side shouldn’t be surprised.) Although the marriage didn’t last and it was far
from perfect, it most definitely had a huge impact on my life. My eldest
daughter was two months old when we married, but my other two children were
born during the marriage, and I wouldn’t have them had I not married Terry.
So…not a total bust. J Plus, we parted
amicably and are still friendly.
8. November 23, 1983, March 26, 1986, December 11,
1992 – The births of my kids.
Since I have three
children (Lana, Lacey, Presley), I thought I would combine these ‘moments’ that
changed my life. And, boy, did they ever change my life. I can’t fathom my
world without them. They were a joy to raise (although there were difficulties,
as anyone who has children or knows children can attest to), but
overall, I adored raising them and we made some beautiful memories together
that I cherish. They were all so beautiful and smart and funny. (I am NOT
biased, I assure you….) J And, we are still
close, still hang out together, and I value those moments as well. I am
exceedingly blessed!
9.
December 1994 and April 1995. The death of my
father, followed four months later by the death of my husband’s grandmother,
‘NanNan.’ My dad was the most caring, most amazing man in
the world, and his death devastated me. He always believed in me and encouraged
me. He would have been so thrilled to know I made my dream of being an author
come true. NanNan raised my ex-husband and was the only mother-in-law I knew.
She was a loving, precious soul whose world revolved around my children. Part
of our routine was to go visit her every single weekend. When my son was three,
he and I went to check on her one morning after having been at her house the
evening before, and we found her dead. I still miss them both.
10. February 2007 – My
first book, Nothing to Fear was published by The Wild Rose Press. I can’t begin to
explain what that felt like. Something I’d wanted for as long as I could
remember was finally realized. I knew at that point, regardless of whether I
ever reached fame and success, writing was my passion and I would never stop.
(By the way, the Kindle version of Nothing to Fear is only 99 cents, if you
want to check it out. I read sections now and cringe at the writing, but I like
the story and it will always hold a special place in my heart) https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Fear-Alicia-Dean-ebook/dp/B00178YG22/ref=sr_1_21?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1467322187&sr=1-21
I’m sorry, I know I went into too much detail on some…maybe all. But,
there you have it. The 10 moments that changed my life. Thank you for allowing
me to share on your blog today, Diane!
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BIO
Award-winning author, Alicia Dean,
began writing stories as a child. At age 11, she wrote her first ever romance
(featuring a hero who looked just like Elvis Presley, and who shared the name
of Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle
Me), and she still has the tattered, pencil-written copy. Alicia is from
Moore, Oklahoma and now lives in Edmond. She has three grown children and a
huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary
suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few
vintage historicals. She is a freelance editor in addition to being an editor
for The Wild Rose Press.
Other than reading and writing, her
passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or
all three into her stories) and watching (and rewatching) her favorite
televisions shows like The Walking Dead, Dexter, Justified, Sons of Anarchy,
Haven, Vampire Diaries, and The Originals. Some of her favorite authors are
Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan
Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.
Find Alicia here:
