The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen (71 page)

(One of my favorite images believed to be of Ankhesenamun)

About The Author…

I began writing in the late 80s/early 90s near the end of my elementary school days. This probably developed in part through my having many pen pals at that age (in the “time before email” times!). Early writings included teen mystery/thriller but quickly morphed to science fiction thanks to my love of all things Star Trek. After connecting with a Star Trek writing club where we created characters that served aboard a Starfleet ship, I found myself constantly writing and developing stories for my character. Eventually, after my “years of service,” I became a captain! That meant I got to write the start to a story that my “crew” would then expand upon through their characters, create a monthly newsletter, and maintain correspondence with my “shipmates.” After hearing that ST:TNG had taken scripts from fans and produced them, I tried my hand at developing a script. Ahhh, dreams! Whether they come true or not, they do drive a person forward. For a short time, I had a burst in the X-Files realm. Then I went off to college, and while I still enjoyed writing, my focus was on my theater major/dance minor.

My love of history sparked with the discovery of the Titanic by Robert Ballard. I read up all I could about the ship and her voyage. After a brief interest in all things JFK, my interest eventually warped back in time. It was ancient times that most fascinated me, especially the people of ancient Egypt who for thousands of years thrived without the use of cars, internet, modern medicine, or phones. I also enjoy Biblical and Greek history. While Roman history is also quite interesting, I do hold the society largely responsible for the global loss of women’s rights after their sacking of Alexandria. But that is an opinion for another time!

The idea for this story took hold of me when I went to visit the exhibit:
Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.
I felt called to this young woman named Ankhesenamun who was remembered lovingly in images but whose life was otherwise lost in time. In my novel, I hope the restore a small piece of her voice as well as interest readers in this time period. If one person says “history is cool” because of my book, well, then my mission is more than accomplished! However, any historical or typographical errors the reader may find, I hope you will forgive me. The fault is my own.

When I’m not reading, writing, or spending time with my family, I also enjoy a perfectly steeped cup of hot tea, scrapbooking, and catching a Twins game now and then at Target Field. Whether my imagination reaches the distant future or ancient past, I am ever grateful to have made it to this point and thank you for your choice to read my story.

You can find me at:
www.teasippinnerdymom.com

Finally, I would like to leave you with this -- a quote from Albert Einstein that I believe speaks to Ankhesenamun and the way she lived her life: “…From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others … for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy…”