Member Q&A: Arlene Griffin
Author: Jody Wallace
Original Publication Date in Love Notes: October 2008

Q. We’re so glad to have you as a member of MCRW.  Are you a native of Nashville or somewhere else? If somewhere else, where, and how did you end up here?

A. Am born and bred Northern New Yorker with French Canadian roots. I moved to Florida where I got my Master's degree in Library Information Sciences and ended up in Jackson TN because I like TN and have family here in Franklin.after moving here, my daughter moved to KY and became a TV anchor, so I made a decision not to follow my children anymore.

Q. What made you decide to try your hand at writing romance novels (or at joining RWA/MCRW)? 

A. I have written half a chapter so far. I have read romances from the very beginning. As a librarian I have become very knowledgeable of several genres, but romance remains my favorite. I love connecting patrons with new authors through readers advisory. Being a part of RWA, brings me more in tune with new authors as does my ALA/RUSA genre committee. The more I know the more I can share.

Q. Tell us about your "WIP" or work-in-progress?  What in specific do you write?

A. Right now, I feel the need to be a conduit of information connection authors with readers. I do feel I have a book in me though.

Q: How do you balance your writing with your other responsibilities? (Yes, as always, I'm looking for tips...)

A. N/A at this time.

Q. What do you do when you're not writing?  Do you have a "day" job, hobbies, obsessions?

A. I am a collector of trivia and a conduit of information which makes me a good reference librarian.

Q. Do you have children, pets, plants, a spouse, dust bunnies, a thimble collection or anything like that?

A. Widow with 2 boys, 1 federal agent serving in Baghdad for the next year and the other a film editor with some great movies on his resume. Sadie is a granddog I took care of while my oldest was in training and I ended up not being able to give her back so she is mine now.

Q. What are some of your favorite books, romance and other?

A. I have a library of 'keepers'...yet with my genre committee I am learning to appreciate different genres. One of the best romances so far has been The Host by Stephanie Myers, it's sci-fi but oh so romantic... Winter Rose by Donnelly reminds me of Rosemary Rogers and some of the first romance writers I was read many years ago.

Q. If you could go on a dream vacation anywhere in the world on someone else's perfectly legitimate dime, where would you go, who would you take, and what would you do? 

A. I would take the scenic train across Canada from east to west coast. I would stop everywhere: Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Banff... Then I would go down the west coast and cross country to see the US I have yet to visit. Explore my heritage.

Q: Tell us a secret!

A. Being a librarian is a new career for me (after various other jobs along the way including being a dental hygienist) and when new books arrive I feel like it is Christmas. Love it!

Love Notes, the official monthly newsletter of Music City Romance Writers, is provided to paying members free of charge. If you are an MCRW member and would like to submit an article to Love Notes, visit the main newsletter page for more information. If you would like to reprint one of these articles in your RWA chapter newsletter, please give proper credit to both the author and the original source. For any other uses, please contact the president.