Professional Writing Affiliations:

•Panhandle Professional Writers; past Second Vice-President;

•Amarillo Chapter of the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc., President;

•Romance Writers of America,  

    Workshops and conferences:

• Presented the following workshops at the Jodi Thomas 2006 Critique Boot Camp
• "Nuts and Bolts of Creative Writing: How to Find It ... Your Writing Voice"
• "Elements of A Synopsis"

• "Nuts and Bolts of Creative Writing: How to Survive a Critique and Enjoy It"

• "Similes and Metaphors" ... The Fraternal Twins"

• "How to Find It ... Your Writing Voice"

• Presented the "First Timer Orientation: Key to Success" at the Frontiers in Writing 2007 Conference

• Presented sessions on "Synopsis Simplified", "How to Find it ... Your Writing Voice", and "Critiquing Check List" at the "Basics for Beginners" workshop, Frontiers in Writing 2007 Conference

• Speaker 2008 Frontiers in Writing, "400 Pages Too Late" for the beginner writer.

• Frontiers in Writing 2011 faculty and speaker "Anatomy of a Novel"

• Frontiers in Writing 2012 faculty and speaker "Characteristics-How to Make Your Characters Leap Off the Page"

Phyliss was born and raised in Amarillo and has a great love for the Panhandle.  Many of her western historical's are set in the Texas Panhandle area.  The anthology, "Give Me a Texan" was originally titled "Amarillo by Morning" and is set exclusively in Amarillo.
 

Did you know Oneida was the name originally given to Amarillo by the railroad?  That the frames houses were painted yellow when the name was changed to Amarillo?  Phyliss is fascinated with rich history of the Texas Panhandle, and would love to talk to your organization about the"Early History of Amarillo".