Laura DiSilverio penned her first novel for a creative writing class at Trinity University. Professor Bob Flynn inspired Laura and heroically refrained from gagging when reading the contemporary romance she titled Jeweled Torment. That manuscript is buried in a box in her garage, along with the Regency Romance she wrote shortly after joining the Air Force. She concentrated on becoming a good intelligence officer for many years before doing any more significant writing. DiSilverio served with an F-16 wing in Korea, and helped resolve reports of live-sightings of Vietnam prisoners of war while working out of the embassy in Bangkok.
She also pushed paper at the Defense Intelligence Agency, earned a Master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania, taught English for three years at the Air Force Academy, learned cool things about satellites (none of which she can ever write about) at the National Reconnaissance Office, attended various professional schools, did time in the Pentagon, commanded a squadron in England, and ended up in Colorado.
Along the way, she married her wonderful husband and produced two beautiful children who re-defined what is important in life. A moment of Holy Spirit-guided epiphany in Elliot’s Bay bookstore in Seattle convinced DiSilverio it was time to embark on writing and mothering full time. She retired from the Air Force in late 2004.
DiSilverio’s motto? Never, never, never, give up. She is also fond of the saying that sits on her desk beneath a photo of a sailboat on the sea: “You cannot discover new worlds unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
Laura was kind enough to share some Thanksgiving moments with me. Enjoy!
What are you most grateful for?
Healthy, well-adjusted kids; a loving and dependable husband; my mother and brothers and their families; all Tom’s extended family; my church community. Gosh, I guess it all boils down to people, doesn’t it? I’m also grateful for our home, for privacy and a sense of safety, and the gift of living in the United States.
Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Going around the table to hear what everyone is most thankful for each year.
Where will you spend Thanksgiving this year?
At home with my immediate family and a couple of friends.
Article comments
1 - Pj Schott
I love Laura's Thanksgiving tradiiton.