MILLS, Vicki A. 1948-

PERSONAL: Born March 31, 1948, in Chicago, IL; daughter of Robert (a writer) and Doris (a communications operator; maiden name, Sutphen) Norman; married Richards C. Mills (a general contactor), August 1, 1971; children: Alfred Joseph, David, Jonathon, Michael. Ethnicity: "Scandinavian and English." Education: Ambassador College, B.A., 1971. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, sculpture, poetry.

ADDRESSES: Home—P.O. Box 2287, Cathedral City, CA 92235. E-mail—vamills@aol.com.

CAREER: Writer. Mills Custom Services, Cathedral City, CA, owner, 1971–2005.

WRITINGS:

Any Body Can Enjoy Computers: The Clear and Simple Basics, Mills Custom Services Publishing Company (Cathedral Mills, CA), 2004.

(With Karina Preciado Quintanilla) En 1,2,3 puedes usar y disfrutar la computadora … aprende lo básico de forma sencilla y clara, Mills Custom Services Publishing Company (Cathedral Mills, CA), 2004.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Coauthoring and editing four books in a series.

SIDELIGHTS: Vicki A. Mills told CA: "Computer usage is within the grasp of anyone who wants to learn IF they have access to the method that not only teaches them the basics, but also helps them overcome any obstacles they have to learning—whether they be physical, emotional, or mental. Any Body Can Enjoy Computers: The Clear and Simple Basics addresses these challenges and how to overcome them!

"Five years ago I was totally computer illiterate until I was shown the positive steps to overcome these challenges. Within two years I was not only mastering the computer, but tutoring others in this method. The need became obvious for a book to duplicate these teaching methods and offer these steps to the masses. So I wrote one! Soon it became clear that there was also a huge need for this book to be helping those who speak Spanish—so I coauthored a second book [En 1,2,3 puedes usar y disfrutar la computadora … aprende lo básico de forma sencilla y clara] with a Spanish translator.

"One of the key ingredients to the clarity and encouraging style of the book is the fact that I understood exactly how to address the fears and other obstacles that often hold people back from either making progress or even attempting to learn computers at all! It thrills me to share my own experiences in how I overcame all the obstacles and to cheer the readers on to their own success in mastering the computer. I have not only reaped the benefits of successfully sharing what I had a passion about with others, but have also now discovered how much pleasure I receive from helping others as I illuminate various subjects."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Bookwatch, November, 2004, review of Any Body Can Enjoy Computers: The Clear and Simple Basics.