Eileen M Hector, Writer, Author, Daydreamer

I Am a Work in Progress

POV THIRD PERSON
Eileen is a versatile writer. She has written in many genres to include but not limited to poetry, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and a fair amount of business writing. She often writes rhyming poetry suitable for her granddaughters, and perhaps a board book or two. Her random ramblings give her family, friends, and fan base something to either laugh out loud about or cry about. Sometimes they are even left scratching their heads.

In her spare time, should she find any, she spends time with her granddaughters, an overly needy dog, a flock of birds, grows and shows orchids, and volunteers for various orchid related organizations. Other than all that – she hasn’t quite figured out what she wants to be when she grows up.

She creates documents, photo theme calendars, custom business cards, and other items on her magical keyboard device. She is supported in these endeavors by her kind and patient husband.

You can find her on Facebook and Instagram. She declares herself the instagramidiot. She doesn’t quite get what all those hashtags are about. AKA the TheGrandmaUnit.

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MORE About ME

POV FIRST PERSON

My family moved to Florida after my freshman year at Wheaton North High School (Wheaton, IL).  Between my freshman year and our move to Florida, I traveled with my grandmother to Eastern Europe to visit family in Czechoslovakia and then on to France via Switzerland and Germany. I lived in Gainesville, FL (home of the Florida Gators) from 1972 through 1991. I have lived in Tampa, FL since then. After high school, I spent about six years in retail, working in different capacities, then spent most of seventeen years as a corporate travel agent. More recently, spent a few years working on and off with a small vinyl graphics company that creates new and replacement regulation graphics for personal aircraft.

My days have been filled as a self-employed writer/author since 1999. My first paying piece was in the popular series, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Christmas 2007.  Spent four years as a proofreader for the American Orchid Society monthly publication, ORCHIDS. Have also had several articles published therein. I continue to create a quarter page graphic of monthly webinars included in the magazine. For close to three years, I was editor of a monthly digital newsletter sent out to 450 American Orchid Society affiliates. Currently proofreader for the International Phalaenopsis Alliance Journal. Member of the Florida Writers Association since 2017. Participating as a Royal Palm Literary Award Contest Judge since 2019. Published entries in several of the FWA Collection anthologies and multiple times in The Florida Writer, their bi-monthly e-zine.

I am mom to two adult sons, and grandma to four grandchildren. At times I have been the grandma nanny infirmary during sick days, and in-home, e-learning teacher during COVID shutdown. Look for the story coming soon – Grandma Goes to First Grade.

I am supported in all of my creative endeavors by my husband. We share a love of growing and showing orchids. Our hobby orchid garden consists of 600 sq. ft. of growing space under three gabled canopies. It’s rewarding to volunteer with the local orchid community, at monthly orchid judging, and area orchid shows. Have created and maintained WYSIWYG websites for two different orchid organizations since 2009.

Put together a ZOOM 50-year reunion during the pandemic 2021 for members of my 8th Grade class at St. John’s in Winfield, IL (1971). That was fun!

We share our home with a very needy mixed-breed dog who refuses to freely wander around our two acres. Unlike our Basset Hound before him, he suffers from separation anxiety and insists on an escort.

Looking forward to a knee replacement in the near future. Have to keep up with both sons who have had knee work done way before this old lady.