Writing Is The Life For Sebring Resident

SEBRING - Good writers learn it right away - write about what you know - and Sebring snowbird Kathryn Neff Perry seemingly learned that lesson well.

Perry recently published her second novel, "Boone's Creek - Almost Home."

Several locations in the novel should be familiar to Highlands County residents, including Lake Jackson, The Kenilworth Lodge, Chicanes and the sheriff's office.

"I love Sebring," said Perry."That's where my heart is."

The former columnist for a Marion, Ohio newspaper is thrilled that people are buying her work.

"It's exciting when somebody wants to read what you're writing," said Perry. "I love to hear their feedback. People want to know what's going to happen next. One lady said she was going to have to buy the next book to find out."

The former American history teacher enjoys writing for future generations.

"It makes me proud that my grandchildren can read my books at Show 'n Tell," said the 61-year old wife of Frank Perry.

"Boone's Creek - Almost Home" is a love story and thriller, told from the viewpoint of a Christian.

Perry writes in the 170-page paperback about Jenna Lewis, a search and rescue handler who is summoned to Sebring from North Carolina, with her dog Nikko, to aid in the search for a missing family. Then Lewis' grandmother disappears in Sebring, and although afraid to commit, Jenna finds herself falling in love.

Perry writes about 2,000 words a day, preferably when her husband Frank hits the golf course. She works on a laptop computer, while seated on a comfortable reclining chair, serenaded by Jazz music. Perry blogs regularly and husband Frank helps by editing her work.

"I can't wait until I start writing again, because I have no idea where the story is going to go," said Perry. "I start with a sentence and it turns into two, three, or 4,000 words ... sometimes I don't want to stop."

The optimist talked about thinking positive.

"I love to make people realize that even when bad things happen, good things will come out of it," she said.

Perry considers her husband her "IP," or "important person."

"Realizing her life long dream makes me so happy for her," said Frank Perry.

For information, go to www.publishamerica.com