The long version or the short version? I was born in NYC, raised on Long Island, followed the rest of my family to Tampa in the mid 80s and felt like the proverbial "fish out of water," or more appropriately, "land mammal in water." It is my opinion that if humans were meant to live in Florida, they would have been born with gills so they could breathe in 90% humidity! So, having known the East coast for more than 50 years, I headed west at 52 and started a new life in Northern California and now Northern Nevada. My chosen forms of self expression are words (poetry, essays and now novels) and dance movement. I've been a daughter, wife, step mom, single mother of a child who survived leukemia, and finally...ME!

How did you get to where you are now?

Bet you thought I'd say "hard work, perserverance and an unshakeable belief in myself," right? I didn't start believing I was capable of attaining any of my dreams until recently. I just kept stumbling along putting one foot in front of other because there were people counting on me. When it finally became "all about me," I had a hard time digesting that maybe I'd have to put all my efforts into making myself happy for a change. So the hard work and perserverance I have been putting forth for myself is something I've learned to do in the last 10 years or so, and the jury is still out on the "unshakeable belief in myself," but it's women like the ones who share their own stories here who keep me going. We are all sisters in this together, and we point each other in the direction of fulfillment!

How do you see yourself differently now than you did 10 years ago?

Ten years ago I was still hoping Prince Charming would stride into my life and take care of me for the duration. These days I'm happy to look into my own reflection and see a woman who has the courage to save herself...to ride into the sunset on her own, flying banners of victory!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

My dream? To be a published novelist whose stories and characters entertain, motivate, stimulate, enlighten and encourage women our age to be all they ever wanted to be. Oh, and a nice home somewhere in Italy wouldn't be bad either. ;)

Hey, Iris! Do yourself a favor and don't get married and have a child simply because you don't think you are capable of achieving anything else. Stop comparing yourself to your overachieving friends and just take things at your own pace. When your parents insist you come home from Italy, don't listen to them. Stay there and work for the summer. Trust your instincts. Keep writing, dancing, loving and don't EVER expect to find a life partner until you are satisfied with yourself first!

Tina Turner