About Northwest Houston


	The History of Northwest Houston RWA® In 1980 a group of women frustrated that writing conferences failed to meet the needs of romance writers banded together at the Southwest Writers Conference in Houston and founded Romance Writers of America^©. Some of these women were from Houston, some from other places. Following that conference, Rita Clay Estrada called the romance writers in the Houston area together. Houston was divided into four sections to be called chapters: Northwest, West, Bay Area and Southwest (now disbanded). Those areas became the names for Houston’s Romance Writers of America chapters. Through the years, Northwest Houston chapter members have personalized our chapter name to be the Lone Star Chapter. Read more of our history here:
		President Cheri Jetton 1st Vice President Nancy Kay Bowden 2nd Vice President Linda Kryzwicki Secretary Sarah Andre Treasurer Tess Grillo 1st Director-At-Large Melinda Porter 2nd Director-At-Large Theresa Lank Past President Judythe Hixson Hospitality Theresa Lank Membership Theresa Lank Newsletter Ruth Kenjura, editor Judythe Hixson, copy editor PRO Liaison Judythe Hixson Publicity & Tape Library Rhonda Acy Website Jami Bevans
	Cheri Jetton says: I enjoy reading romances for the guaranteed happy ending and began writing them in 1992 when a story idea just wouldn’t leave me alone. I joined RWA the next year and discovered everything I’d done wrong. Thanks to the support of chapter members and the wonderful workshops at both the national and chapter levels, I sold three Traditional Romances. I've served as Conference coordinator twice in the past and done a two year stint as Programs Chair (1st VP). Houston has been my home since 1968 and three of my four children – and my grandchildren – live close by.

	Nancy Kay Bowden says, I love books with happy endings. At the moment, I'm writing Young Adult novels with romantic elements. New ideas are never a problem, and I thank the members of Northwest Houston RWA who keep me focused and educated. As a writer with a teaching degree, my goal is to nab readers young--and keep them reading! I moved to Houston with my husband and high school/college sweetheart in 1981. We've lived in the Chicago suburbs; Champaign, Illinois; Houston/Spring and Midland,TX; and Surrey, England. Our four kids offer lots of inspiration--but, I swear, I write fiction.
	Linda Kryzwicki says: I have always been an avid reader—reading whenever and wherever possible. I've been making up stories my entire life, usually while I was waiting to fall asleep at night. In January 2005 I started writing down my stories and immediately turned to books for information on the subject. Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies led me to RWA. After attending a conference at NWHRWA, I discovered just how much I didn't know about writing, including GMC. I finished my first book, Pawsitive Attraction, in June 2006 and earned Pro status. I've learned a lot from this group, especially my critique partners. As the conference/retreat chairperson, I hope to put together a retreat that will help us all learn and grow as writers, as well as get to know each other better.
	Sarah Andre works part-time with an interior design firm in Sugar Land and writes the remainder of the week. She has completed her first novel, a single-title contemporary romance which has finaled in two contests. Currently, she is researching, querying and pitching to agents as well as beginning her second novel.
	Judythe Hixson says: I am a writer…a storyteller…a believer in romance and happily-ever-after. I write inspirational single title romance and romantic suspense. Traveling around the world with my soul-mate husband provides the grist for my writer's mill. We live in a lovely Victorian house in Texas with our Old English sheepdog, Toby Bear.
	Melinda Porter says: I started writing novels while still in high school. After putting my writing on hold for nearly two decades to raise my daughters (who are now mommies of their own) and play housewife, I picked up the pen again, so to speak--this is the computer age--five years ago. After completing two historical novels, I discovered I didn’t know how to write. Joining RWA in 2004 opened a new world to me. I have been a member of NWH for 3 or 4 years and have come to enjoy the camaraderie and support of this chapter. I discovered I enjoy writing short stories and have published several under my two pen names, Anna Kathryn Lanier and M. J. Sager. I’m honored to have been asked to serve on the board and look forward to helping the chapter as much as it has helped me become a Romance Writer.
	Tessy Grillo says: I live in Cypress, Texas, with my husband, who is my real life hero and high school sweetheart. We have two teenagers that keep us busy, but very happy. I work part-time for a CPA firm in Houston. I didn't come into the writing arena until just a couple of years ago. At first I wanted to write suspense novels, but realized I didn't have the edge, so my writing has evolved to single title-women's fiction with a heavy emphasis on romance. The story is in the journey for me, not the destination!
	Theresa Lank says: I am still writing my first manuscript, a historical romance, and am grateful to NWHRWA for teaching me the craft of writing in such a convivial, supportive atmosphere. Before becoming a writer, I was a high school history teacher who had previously served in the Air Force as a Russian translator. When not writing I can be found chasing three lively children and three ornery cats in Cypress, Texas.
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