McDANIEL, Sylvia (J.) 1956-

PERSONAL: Born May 29, 1959, in San Angelo, TX; daughter of William Lloyd (a truck driver) and Wanda Sartain (a homemaker); married Douglas Duncan (divorced) married Donald McDaniel (in insurance sales), December 2, 1994. Education: Attended North Lake Community College. Religion: Catholic.

ADDRESSES: Home—P.O. Box 2542, Coppell, TX 75019. Agent—Maureen Walters, Curtis Brown, Ltd., Ten Astor Place, New York, NY 10003. E-mail—Sylvia.McDaniel@gte.net.

CAREER: J. A. Majors, Dallas, TX, marketing manager, 1976-98; Verizon, Irving, TX, engineer; Citizens Telecommunications, Plano, TX, engineer, 2001.

MEMBER: Romance Writers of America (president, North Texas affiliate).

WRITINGS:

The Rancher Takes a Wife, Kensington (New York, NY), 2000.

A Scarlet Bride, Kensington (New York, NY), 2000.

The Outlaw Takes a Wife, Kensington (New York, NY), 2001.

The Marshal Takes a Wife, Kensington (New York, NY), 2001.

Sunlight on Josephine Street, Kensington (New York, NY), 2002.

The Price of Moonlight, Kensington (New York, NY), 2002.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Research on further books.

SIDELIGHTS: Sylvia McDaniel told CA: "Over the years I have discovered a central theme of family in all of my books. I love stories of healing and love that have a central background of a caring family. Currently I am working on one of the most serious books I've ever written, but I would like to return to a more light-hearted tone similar to that of my favorite author, Susan Elizabeth Philips. I enjoy the humor of her stories and know that her writing has influenced my own.

"My writing process usually begins with a particular scene or idea and then I develop characters that have a difficult time with the situation I first see. From there I let them take over the story, though I know exactly what the ending is and how we're going to arrive there before I write. To me the journey is the fun part as I watch my characters struggle with the situations I've put them in.

"I never intended to become a writer, but sort of stumbled into this profession and fell in love with the process. An avid reader all my life, writing was a natural progression for me. If I had my life to do over, the only thing I would change would be going to college full-time and taking classes in acting and film making. To me this is just an extension of the writing process that would enhance my writing and get more of the movie playing in my head down on paper. Maybe in the next lifetime!"

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

ONLINE

Sylvia McDaniel Web site,http://www.sylviamcdaniel.com (November 14, 2003).