June 2012: I just wanted to add this, in light of the purge which seems to be happening on this site. If they delete any of my stories you were reading, or enjoyed, I'm sorry. I won't change them to put them up again. I feel I've stayed within the rating, but if someone in authority feels differently, then they can do without that story.

I've made efforts to write mature, respectful fiction. But some on this site consider adult sexuality and intimacy to be no more than "smut." So if any of my stories are deleted, know it's likely because someone reported it. I'll try to be a big girl and not whine about it. But it might make me want to take all my toys and go home, depending on how its handled.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled profile, already in progress.

Here I am with over four decades behind me and I feel like my life still holds all the possibilities of the blank page. Oh there have been numerous chapters already written, like the one where I married and became a mother twice. And the chapter about how I was, born in California, raised in Ohio, lived many places, and call North Carolina home.

I write fan fiction for practice, and I'm currently writing an original novel I hope to publish as an e-book. I'm one of those masochists who dreams of being a published author one day.

I don't know why I'm writing romance, since I don't believe in many of the tropes of romance. I don't believe in love at first sight. I don't believe your love completes you, and I get nauseous at the mention of soul mates. I don't write, nor do I want to read about true, perfect, magical, once-in-a-lifetime, he must be made for me love.

But I do believe people need and thrive on love. Not the superficial, butterflies kind of infatuation that thinks you're beautiful, but the real kind that runs to the pharmacy to fill your prescription when you've got the flu. Real love doesn't try to change you, it encourages you, and it doesn't obsessively need to be glued to your side to reassure itself. Real love can be selfish, ugly, unsympathetic, forgetful, and rude. But it always stays true. Butterflies and infatuation may flutter away with a change in the wind. But real love is like that sweatshirt you've had since high school. It's a little worn, the collar's out of shape, and the logo's peeling. But it wraps you snug and keeps you warm, and it's always there when you need it. Constant.

I try to write with an eye to reality. Even though my stories are populated with vampires and werewolves, my characters are not Twilight cut-outs. They have problems, fears and issues, and they make mistakes. None are perfect.

There are eleven stories on my list, and I'm proud of each of them in their own way. Please, if you've read and enjoyed one of mine, give one of the others a try; I guarantee they're not typical.

Leah's Changes: Even if you're on the vamp team all the way you should enjoy my Leah story. It's canon and I pull in many favorite characters to interact with her and her new man. It was my first posting here and the chapters are long. If you're tired of Leah with a bad attitude, always whining over Sam, this is for you. I also get into some deep thoughts about shape shifting. It's been nominated for a couple awards.

Dark Roots: Stefan's Loves: is an epic romance that travels from Romania to Greece, Italy, and finally America. Learn why the Romanians hate the Volturi. Meet the woman who makes Stefan question his existence. See how the Cullen's interact with them when they show up on their doorstep.

May/December Divide: takes the favorite couple in a different direction. Edward fled from his singer and lost her for 25 years! Bella's life went on without him, until he turned up in her English class. I've strangely had to confront ageism with my critics, but otherwise my readers have loved this story. On my computer it's labeled, "One For The Mom's." See if you don't agree!

What Alice Won't Remember: is a chilling one shot about Alice. I'm dissatisfied with how most writers portray her as a cute girl with shopping and parties on her mind. She has the most awesome ability, and a mysterious history, and I wanted to give her some depth.

Secrets of the Mind Reader: is an Edward story before Twilight. Why isn't the seventeen year-old mind-reader attracted to the drop-dead gorgeous, blonde Carlisle brings home in hopes of creating a mate for him? I think there may be some revisionist history going on. This story explores a lot of the pro's and con's of being a mind reader. It's not exactly canon, but it's really close. I've been accused of ruining a "perfect" love story with this one, and I'm quite proud of that title. As I mentioned above, I don't believe in perfect. If you only read one of mine, read this one, as it's my favorite child.

Cold Fragile Hearts: is angst filled from the beginning, as it explores death, loss, despair, and the pain of looking at forever alone. But it does turn around and come up from the pits when Bella finds a new hope and can finally live again. I've finally just labeled it as a Bella/Carlisle pairing. But I've been careful to pay respects to their past loves.

Aro's Cold Heart: is an outtake from Cold Fragile Hearts. I explore his character a bit, from history all the way through where CFH takes place. He's such a devious, conniving, fun character. I've enjoyed trying to capture his voice. This one is on Hiatus--I hate that!

Sent From Heaven: is a fanfiction from the Bible, though I guess that's a mislabel since I don't consider the Bible to be fiction. My story is a fiction, with Biblical concepts mixed in with my own way of relating to God. It's a very gentle story, and definitely not Twilight.

Dragons at Twilight: is set in a medieval fantasy world, and Bella (Be'lah) is a novice sorceress who is prophesied to save the world from the dragons threatening to tear it apart. My first alternate universe story, though the characters are not all human - not even close.

Fairies in Moonlight: Sequel to Dragons at Twilight, and part of a planned trilogy, this one is also AU, and set in the realm of Fey. Alice and Jasper take the lead in this story, as the prophesy affects them as well. I recommend reading Dragons first, though both could stand alone. WIP

Crimson Rose of Texas: I wanted to explore Jasper's life before his change, and before he met Alice. Still a WIP, I'm having fun challenging some of the popular notions about him.

If you'd like to check out my original work, I'm CorinnA Tate on fictionpress. Be warned, I don't write pretty love stories there, and they have quite a bit of smut in their chapters. They're all rated M for a very good reason.

I appreciate when someone wants to share a great story with me - either what they've written or one that really moved them. But sadly I have little time to read, as I'm so hooked on writing at this point. I'd also like to say that I'm not the reader you want for your story. I do review what I read, but I'm highly critical, and very little I've read has earned only glowing comments. I'm even critical of those on my favorites list, as I look at criticism as an opportunity for improvement, not knocking someone down.

I used to have a rant here about the lack of reviews I receive. I'm to the point where it doesn't bother me - it only took me two years to get here! However I'd like to ask that you readers make more effort to review. Not for me, but for those out there who still crave that precious feedback. It's all in the details. Tell one specific thing you loved, or one specific reason it's not your cup of tea before you move on. Feed the muse!

The writers on this site receive nothing for their work. Some even take loads of criticism. The only reason we post here is to hear what you think of our writing. I've learned a lot more from criticism than I have from silence or "Loved it, update soon!" Thanks to everyone who told me how I could improve.

I owe a great deal of appreciation to Renee Aubin; absolutely the best reviewer I've seen on this site. You make me a better writer and reader-reviewer myself. I'd like to add Reader Adrift to this short but amazing list of fabulous reviewers. Maybe it's those R.A. initials that just mean "Really Awesome!"