Hello all, Winnie Griggs here. It’s my turn to share little known facts about who the ‘true Winnie Griggs’ is. So here goes:
- This may sound like heresy to some of you, but as a kid I just did not care for Nancy Drew – I only read the series when I was hard up for reading material and there was nothing else available. But I was a BIG fan of Trixie Belden, The Hardy Boys and dozens of other teen adventure/mystery series. I still own many of those old books.
- The first real story I ever wrote from start to finish was of the fan fiction variety. I was about ten years old and it featured Roy Rogers and the gang from the old Saturday morning TV show. I guess Westerns were in my blood even then.
- Among the other very special things about me is that I have two middle names. That’s right, I am officially Winnie Mae Marie.
- I’m one of those odd ducks who really enjoys math and puzzles. In fact, that was my major in college. I got a BS in Mathematics, with minors in Computer Science and Accounting – how much geeekier can you get!
- I am the oldest of five siblings- my sisters and brother hint (strongly) that this makes me bossy. I prefer to think of myself as confident.
As a side note, my youngest sister is 20 years younger than me – I got the news my mother was pregnant at the end of my sophomore year of college – how’s that for a shocker! My boyfriend was with me when my dad told me. That boyfriend is now my husband so I guess it didn’t scare him off. - One of my younger sisters got married before I did, so, true to tradition, I danced barefoot at her wedding.
- And speaking of dancing, I absolutely LOVE to dance, it’s hard for me to be still when there is music playing. Unfortunately I’m totally uncoordinated and I’m not a pretty sight on the dance floor.
- I almost didn’t attend the college where I eventually ended up. I’ve always been a homebody so I had picked out two universities that were within a two hour drive of home. When I went in to take my ACT test, howeverr, there was a place on the test form that asks you to list 3 colleges you’re considering. I listed the two I wanted, but I’m a bit OCD about forms and couldn’t leave the last spot blank. So I remembered that just that morning, my best friend had casually mentioned a college she was looking into that was nearly 400 miles away, so I quickly added that one to the form and promptly forgot all about it. Until a month later when the admissions department contacted me and offered me a full ride scholarship based on my score. It’s kind of scary and awesome how my whole life changed direction based on that one off hand incident. Because that college is where I met the man who would eventually become my husband.
- And speaking of meant-to-be, I’d always dreamed of having three kids – it just seemed the ideal family size to me. But apparently the Good Lord had other plans for me. My last pregnancy resulted in twins! Now I have four grown, remarkable, wonderful children whom I wouldn’t change for the world.
- Summer before last we took a family vacation to Hawaii, where I not only had a fabulous time but I got to check something off my bucket list. My husband and I took a ride around the island in a helicopter. I loved it – very exhilarating and the views were breathtaking!
So now you know more than you ever wanted to know about who I am. Is there anything on this list you can relate to? And how about you reciprocate by sharing one or two fun facts about yourself? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for your choice of any book from my backlist. Drawing will take place sometime tomorrow.
In Search of a Groom
After a life of drudgery on her family’s farm, Cassie Lynn Vickers relishes her freedom working in town as a paid companion for feisty Mrs. Flanagan. When her father suddenly demands she come home, she has no choice. Unless she can find a husband. If only she could convince handsome town newcomer Riley Walker to marry her…
Riley is on the run. He’s desperate to keep his niece and nephew safe from his crooked half brother. But a delay in Turnabout, Texas, shows him everything he didn’t know he was missing: home, family—and Cassie Lynn. Can he find a way to become her Prince Charming…and build a real family with the children and Cassie Lynn?
Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.
I loved learning more about you, Winnie Mae Marie! So fun. BTW – my middle name is Marie. 🙂
My daughter is double majoring in math and computer science with a minor in Chemistry, just because. Your listing of majors reminded me a lot of her. And I loved the story of how a last minute change on your ACT brought about a whole new path in your life. I chose my university mainly because the boy I was dating at the time was interested in it. I broke up with him a year before I left for college, but still continued on to the university we had talked about. Met my husband there, married, and never left. I work for that university now. God certainly works in mysterious ways. 🙂
Isn’t it fun, and somewhat awe-inspiring, to be able to look back and see those little moments, those seemingly insignificant choices, that shaped your life.
I can relate to 2 of those!
1. I don’t like Nancy Drew, either. I loved the Hardy Boys, though. 🙂
2. I am the oldest, but of 4, and my little brother is 20 years and 10 days younger than me. 🙂
Oh wow, our families did have a similar make-up. It’s kind of fun to look back on my wedding pictures and see my not-quite two year old sister. Lots of folks assume she’s a niece.
That would be fun!
Winnie, you’ve had a remarkable life. That must’ve been strange to get a baby sister when you were already in college. Wow! Our family seems to be divided into two bunches. My two older sisters and brother were together then seven years later, I came along and my mom gave me a baby sister. We were very close, my baby sister and I and we can’t even remember when the others were at home. My oldest sister and my mom were pregnant at the same time. My nephew has always seemed like a brother.
I love learning more about you. How fun that you got to have three names!
We always say my mother raised three families. The first three of us were born two years apart. Then it was six years before the next one was born (she’s 10 years younger than me. Then it was another 10 before the last sister was born.
Wow, Winnie, I can see the bright genius glowing out of your eyes, but I figured LITERARY. Math is just plain awe inspiring!
LOL, a genius I’m NOT. Just always loved puzzles and to me math is one big puzzle waiting to be solved.
I am not the oldest in the family, I have one older brother and three younger brothers, so I am an older sibling, but I am the only girl… And Winnie I too love to dance. My youngest brother got two for the price of one when his twins were born. So we have a few things in common..
Ah, the only girl – I’ll bet you ruled the roost!
My husband is a little like that with the spread out family. He was born when his oldest brother was 15 and by his earliest memories his brother was married. He’s got a nephew who was born about the time he was…or 3 or 4ish. So that nephew was a playmate and his brother was always an adult working the land and cattle with his dad.
My kids never called my baby sister aunt. she is only seven years older than my oldest.
Hi Winnie, loved learning more about you. What a great life you have! We don’t have a lot in common except our love of westerns. Oh, yes, I liked the Hardy Boys, too.
Thanks! I’ve certainly loved the life I’ve led. I had a great family growing up, married into a great one, and together we built a pretty good one ourselves!
I’m the oldest and the only girl in the family
So how many brothers do you have? And did they treat you like a queen or did they turn you into a tomboy?
Hi Winnie! I read this late last night and went to comment only to find there wasn’t a place to post one, like the button was missing! Anyway, so glad it’s fixed now.
I love learning more about authors! When my son was younger, he loved reading the Hardy Boys, Boxcar Mysteries, and some Nancy Drew. The short time we had Netflix, they had the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys show, which both him and my husband enjoyed. As for me, I’ve read a few Agatha Christy novels, but I guess I really couldn’t get into them as much. I do however like watching old mystery shows on TV 🙂
I am the oldest of three siblings. My brother is 9 yrs younger and my sister is almost 11 yrs younger.By the time I graduated from high school and got out on my own, they were still in elementary school. I never really got to watch them grow and since I now live so far away, I don’t get to spend time with them. Thank goodness for Facebook!
I never attended college, not sure I was really interested in it. My dad was a DJ for a while when I was a teen, so I went to lots of dances. It was a lot of fun! I used to be pretty good, but I haven’t danced for many years now. I’d probably be a bit rusty, lol!
Thanks for the fun post today and the book giveaway chance. Blessings!
Hi Trixi – sounds like you’ve led an interesting life. I’m the only one of my siblings who lives a great distance from ‘home’ so I too don’t get to interact with my siblings or mother as much as I’d like. But you’re right, it is easier these days with so many other ways to keep in touch.
I am the oldest of 6—-2siaters and 3 brothers.
I enjoy learning about the authors I read.
Thanks for stopping by – sounds like a lot of of ‘eldests’ hang around over here 🙂
I am the oldest of three… never heard of the dancing barefoot tradition before… I love anime… 🙂
Hmm, I wonder if it’s a south Louisiana tradition. It’s something I’ve always heard, if the younger sister gets married first the older must dance barefoot at her wedding. But I didn’t mind – I’m a barefoot kind of girl anyway. And I love my sister!
What fun. I loved your post, Winnie. Like you, I started watching westerns very early on, and I remember having a Dale Evans outfit–hat, vest and guns–and singing ‘Happy Trails to You’ to the cows in the neighbor’s pasture. lol Like you, I too really love to dance although I didn’t always get the chance since I was usually in the band singing and playing guitar for the dancing, from high school on for 20 years. And like you, I went to college 300 miles away on an academic scholarship, the only difference being it was the school that was my first choice. I’m still grateful to that school today for how wonderful it was _to_ me and _for_ me.
Oh, a guitar player – how fun!I’ve always wished I could play a musical instrument. Taking lessons is another thing on my bucket list.
Hi Winnie, such fun stuff! I totally relate to Trixie Belden. I so wanted to be Bobwhite. I even have a Trixie Belden board on Pinterest. xo
A Trixie Belden pinterest board – oh Tanya what a fun idea. I HAVE to go check it out!
I’m not sure if I relate to any of that……….lol I’m an only child. Math was always my most unfavorite subject. Bookkeeping was ok though. I didn’t travel to Hawaii yet. But I did travel some in the western US–just not the northern states.
Maybe I do relate a bit because I love the Love Inspired Historical Western Fiction you write!
LOL – Those are just my likes and quirks – I’m sure you have a lot of fun things you could report about yourself as well.
Thanks for sharing some fun facts today Winnie! A did okay with math but I wouldn’t say I wanted to make it my profession–ever! But I absolutely love puzzles…all kinds. So we have that in common 🙂
Hi Kathryn. I suspect we may have a few more things in common than that 🙂
Winnie,
How fun. I picked a college and although I’d also send apps to a couple of others, I went where I wanted to go.
I have always written, but only became really serious in the last two years.
I love that you followed your passion, and we are the lucky ones who get to read the stories you tell. Doris
Thanks for those kind words about my stories! And you sound like a lady who really knows what she wants out of life 🙂
Such great facts! I’m a total Roy Rogers geek! It was my favorite show when I was young and I think he was the coolest guy.
I know! Roy, along with Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry and the Lone Ranger, Saturday mornings instilled a love of cowboys in many of us.
These fun facts are great! They make me think I have work to do collecting a few fun facts myself. So instead, i’ll give a silly fact: last week i decided to get a boston fern and start having house plants. but the selection at walmart was terrible (they looked dead). Back at home, I grabbed a pot off the porch, and now I have house plants as California poppies and alysum. Who knew it would work???
Good for you! Improvisation is always fun!
We have some opposites….you have siblings, I am an only child. You have two middle names, I have no middle name. You had four children, I had two. Winnie, I loved reading these facts about you.
Hi Melanie – thanks for sharing some ‘fun facts’ about you!
Winnie, I’m late getting over here, but I just could not pass up the opportunity to get to know you better. Sounds like your life has overflowed with blessings.
Having children in your family sounds like quite an adventure, between your mom’s surprise pregnancy and your twins. The Lord is sneaky that way sometimes. I always imagine Him chuckling when He bestows that kind of blessing. (Since the Lord made man in His image and gave us a sense of humor, I’m sure He enjoys a good laugh from time to time, too.)
I’ve been in a helicopter exactly once — and that was sufficient. 😀
I hope your life will be full of many more blessings. 🙂
Hi Kathleen – you’re right – Ifeel blessed beyond measure! And LOL about your helicopter experience – I think there may be a story in there you’re not telling us 🙂
I enjoyed learning more about you
Thanks for stopping by
I loved learning more about you Winnie. I also was a HUGE Trixie Belden fan. There are still days when I think I need to find those last few in her series that weren’t out when I was young, lol.
I was also a math major (with 30 extra hours of computer science). I also went to a college that I wasn’t really considering cause they offered me a full ride scholarship. I was one of about 4 Math majors at the entire school. It was a catholic college and when I was taking one of my two required religion classes (Synoptic Gospels, cause I figured they would be pretty much the same in every Christian faith), one of my classmates asked me, “Are you a nun?” I was one of the only people who would question the Sister who taught the course. I replied with a smile, “No, Mam. I’m Baptist!” (And now I’m Presbyterian!)
I love your Love Inspired books. The whole line is so wonderful. I’m a true fan.
Crystal
Oh wow, we do have a lot in common. I didn’t go to a Catholic college, but I did go through my 12 years of primary and secondary education at Catholic parochial schools
I have a few things in common with you. I didn’t go to my first choice college either. My first choice was the one 4hours away and the one I went to was only an hour and a half. I’m from Texas so we think in time not miles. I was a music major and math was and is my weakness. I have e only been out of state once and I was five at the time. I have been in a helicopter once and loved it. I’m an only so can’t relate to siblings. I never got into the Hardy Boys tor Nancy Drew. I started on the Bobsey Twins and some other books. My mom introduced me to Status Christie and I just kept on from there. I loved Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger. I liked Pat and his Jeep best except for Trigger. Still love Palomino horses. Thanks for the look into your life.
LOL about Texans thinking in terms of time not miles, having spent time in Texas I totally get that.
Sorry for the extra post but crazy .e hit a wrong letter on my name. No p on the end.
Winnie, I’m a day late, but just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed getting to read these facts about you! I got chills when I read about that offhand “jotting down” of that 3rd college and how that was where you ended up going. I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason. And a full ride scholarship? WONDERFUL! My son go his BS in Math and his Masters in Engineering Physics. My hat is off to anyone who can major in Math and Computer Science, etc. ANYTHING scientific.
Loved this and really enjoyed getting to know you better!
XOXO
Cheryl
Cheryl, I so agree about things happening for a reason, even if we don’t always figure out what that reason is.
thanks for sharing with us.
I can relate to quite a bit you shared. I am the oldest of 6, and I do believe the term bossy has come up a time or 200. I was also a good student which wasn’t appreciated either. It is hard for siblings to follow each other in classes when the older one is a better student. Some teachers have a bad habit of comparing. I only had one choice for college, the school in my home town. Luckily, I got a full tuition scholarship.
We have three children. I would have loved to have more, but the last one was active and unpredictable to count as 2 or 3 children. He still has our attention at 31 – rock climbing, kayaking, backpacking, rescuing strays……
I did read Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. I started reading the Hardy Boys because they could do more and be more adventurous. I enjoyed Westerns on TV, but mysteries and suspense were the books I continued to read.