Let me tell you about my story, The Celibate's Children. It takes place in 1893-1900 New Orleans in a quadroon creole community where the beautiful quadroon ladies ride in carriages and wear long dresses. I want you to meet my characters and get to know them.

First, meet La Fonda. She is a young black girl who falls in love with her parish priest, Father Andre. Click onto her name and ask her about herself, how she first met and fell in love with Father Andre.

Father Andre is a handsome quadroon priest, very dedicated to his vocation and to his parishioners. Click onto Father Andre to ask him about his life. Why did he become a priest?

Camelia is Father Andre's aunt, four times married, with two unmarried daughters. She is a dressmaker and midwife to her quadroon clientele. She was a nurse in the Civil War in her youth. Click onto Camelia. She won't hold back on any question, including her sex life. Just ask about any husband. She'll tell you everything. You'll find her a very interesting and warm person.

For those of you writing with settings in Louisiana, click onto Williams Research Center in the French Quarter of New Orleans. They will tell you everything you need to know about Louisiana.

Also, link onto The New Orleans Public Library. I started researching here in 1986. They gave me the best advice. One male librarian said to me, "Just write everything you could possibly imagine that could happen in New Orleans because it probably did." I always remembered what he said. I tried to write everything I could possibly imagine that could happen in New Orleans in 1900.

Click onto Bloody Mary. You won't be disappointed. She will tell you the history of New Orleans and all the interesting things to do. She will give you a real feel for New Orleans.

Link onto the Children of Priests website. You will get some information from this dark corner of the world. After reading what some of these children have to say, my story will not seem so unusual to you, and you won't raise an eyebrow at me.

For those writers looking for agents and publishers, Jenna Petersen's famous Passionate Pen website is invaluable. Check it out for other interesting resources for writers, as well.

Don't miss my multi-talented friend Sylvia Rochester's oil paintings, books, and poetry. I have one of her giclees of a New Orleans courtyard in my dining room, reminding me of our lunch at a French Quarter restaurant where she got the inspiration for the courtyard scene. If you don't know what a giclee is, ask Sylvia.

Click onto these special authors listed at left. They all have very interesting websites and books. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Please let LaFonda, Camelia and Father Andre hear from you.

By the way, La Fonda and Camelia just reminded me that they have day jobs. They will answer your questions in the evening after work. The same is true for Father Andre. He has so many parishioners to minister to in the daytime, he will answer your questions in the evening after his office hours.