Yes, I am a fan of L.E. Modesitt, Jr. and would recommend starting with the "Recluse" series. "The Magic of Recluse" is the first book in the series, and is about a young magician who must decide whether to accept the status quo which goes against his principles or to face the dangerous world outside of Recluse.

To answer the second part of your question, as a confirmed "bookaholic" I have to say that people who do not take the time to read for enjoyment miss out on the creativity and ideas that a book provides. Many times, the author's idea has given me a perspective that I would not have encountered if I hadn't read the book. For example, by reading the books of David Brin and Nancy Keller, I became interested in what was happening in genetic research (this occurred before cloning made headlines) and even did a research paper on genetics for a Lit class. I believe that reading makes a person a well-rounded individual.

I stumbled across ODP while searching for places to submit my personal website. I clicked on the "become an editor" link because I was appalled at how few listings there were for the authors who are not the "big name" authors. I felt that I could contribute to the quality of the ODP by addressing this lack.

I was thrilled to see my edit go live, but scared too. I will be eternally grateful to g1smd for staying up until the wee hours of the morning (due to the fact that I live in the Midwest and he lives in England) and for talking me through my first edits via IRC chat. I'm currently working on building up the historical fiction genre, and helping to clean up the blanks in Lits.

If a peg falls out, you put it back... in the right peg hole, of course. (lol) While there is some luck involved in the game (due to the deal and starter card), there is a great deal of skill. Face cards equal 10 points, and the other cards are face value. For each combination of cards which total 15 and for each pair, 2 points are scored. A 3-card run is 3 points, a 4-card run is 4 points. There's also double runs, triple runs, and double double runs. For example, a hand of 6 6 5 4, with a starter card of 4 (double double run) totals 24 points. For a 2-player game, each player is dealt six cards and must put 2 of those cards into a "crib". The points in the crib hand are awarded to the dealer at the end of the round. It's always hard to decide which 2 cards to put into the crib, especially when it's not your crib. There's also the count when you and your opponent alternate placing a card on the table and keeping a running count until either 31 is reached or you can't play a card under 31, and then it starts over again until all cards in your hand are on the table. During the count, you try to pair your opponent, to make a count of 15 or 31, or to have a run of cards. There are also partner games, which are played with 4 players or 6 players, and these are the most difficult games to play, but also the most enjoyable challenge.

The weather has been extremely cold for this time of year. We usually don't get the Canadian cold air until mid-January.

ODP is addictive, but not nearly as addictive as books. :) I especially enjoy building up the ODP directory by finding new sites for authors, and creating new cats for authors not currently listed in ODP.

I am a huge fan of Stephen King. Many years ago I was a regular participant in the discussion of King's books on the Stephen King Forum at Prodigy (this was during the 1980s), and used the nickname Detta (The Dark Tower series). My editor name, msdetta, is just another variation of this nickname.

Oh, I have a lot of favorite foods, so it's really tough to say what. Now if you were to say that I was being "treated" to a favorite meal, I'd have to say either filet mignon or crab legs, with baked potato and sour cream, salad with ranch dressing on the side. No dessert, I'm too full. :) If you're talking about my cooking, I make a mean chili, spaghetti with meat sauce (from scratch, not bottled), but I also enjoy roast chicken, beef and pork roast, ham (with potatoes au gratin), etc. There usually isn't chocolate in there, unless it's a birthday, then give me a German chocolate cake, a chocolate cheesecake, or even a chocolate cream pie. :)

(Interviewer thinks to herself, well, the newbie saved herself at the last minute with those chocolate confessions!)

Already said quite a bit, haven't I? :) Well, I'm the mother of two teenagers. My daughter, Tessa, is 19 and is a sophomore at Butler University in Indianapolis. Tessa is majoring in elementary education. My son, Jason, is 14 and is an eighth grader. Jason loves playing soccer, enjoys reading ("Shogun" by Clavell right now), and loves video games and Internet MUD rooms.

I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in computer science this month and want to work in the field of web design and development. I love the creativity of this field. Besides reading and cribbage, I enjoy gardening and am active member of the local PTA. Between working and school, I would never win an award for "best housekeeper" and, as you might have guessed by now, I've got stacks of books all over the house!