Colleen Eccles Penor - Introduction
Hi, my name is Colleen, and I live in Bar Nunn, WY. I am an accountant, community theater actress, wife of a pilot, a veteran, and a writer. I write short stories, essays, plays, poetry, and am putting the finishing touches on my first novel, Vivos. I hope to have it to my editor by October 15th, but I still have to write the synopsis, which I’m dreading. How do you boil a 350-page book down to 2 pages? I guess I’ll find out.
I became a writer because I’ve always wanted to write a book, and when my husband proposed to me, he told me that he would support me in whatever I wanted to do, whether that be hanging out my own shingle as an accountant, writing that book, or anything else. I’m really enjoying writing, especially seeing my book come to life.
Interests include:
Traveling by boat, airplane or motorcycle, whitewater rafting, working out, walking, acting, writing, reading, movies, plays and spending time with my husband and family.
My accomplishments include:
I was a top finalist in the Writer’s Digest 83rd Annual Writing Competition for my essay, Fearsome Men.
I served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer for 4 years. I was named Top Cop/Distinguished Graduate from the Fort George G. Meade Military Police Academy, and I held a secret security clearance. I received an honorable discharge, and went home to attend college.
I put myself through college by working one job during the school year and two jobs during the summer break. I also used the G.I. Bill I earned from serving in the military. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Accounting from Montana State University - Billings, and was the Top Accounting Graduate. I was a member of the Sigma Beta Delta and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Societies. I passed the 15 1/2 hour CPA exam the first time. I went on to practice all aspects of accounting, as well as human resources, personnel management, head of security and technology.
I enjoy theater, and try to make it to as many productions as possible. I have acted in 8 plays, including 4 lead roles. I was named Rookie Actress of the Year for my first play, and the Favorite Actress in a Comedy for my last play. I enjoy farces most of all. I hope to do a play this year.
My goal is to post something here once a week, focusing on the arts. Next week I’d like to tell you about my Vivos protagonist, Shea Donovan. I hope you’ll stop by and take a look. She’s really something.