Where do I begin? (Okay, that's just sent most of you running for the hills).

Being a complete and utter perfectionist, the first big dilemma is whether this should be in first person or third? You know, should it be the very formal "Deborah Porter began writing in blah, blah, blah." OR the much friendlier, "Hi all! This is all about me. Well, not ALL about me (blush) but more than you already know."

Obviously that dilemma has been solved, as you can tell.

So what can I tell you about myself? Well, I live in Sydney Australia, and have been married to Steve since 1982. We started going out in 1977 (when I was sweet-sixteen) and we've been together ever since. That's a long time.

We have two great "children." Kylie was born in 1985, and is a bubble. Her smile lights up any room, and she is my best friend. The hardest day for her Dad and me happened on the 15th July, 2006, when we gave her away in marriage to Nathan.

Our son, Matt, was born in 1987, and finished high school in 2006. YAY!!! He is just about to start TAFE (which is Technical and Further Education College) to do the Certificate IV in Screen (film and editing).

I've been writing for as long as I can remember, but it never really clicked that it was something I was created to do until 1999. God has taken me on an amazing, whirlwind journey ever since then, and every single day is an adventure.

These days I run my own business, "Finesse Writing and Editing Service," and have tied this into the work I do for FaithWriters.com. Over there, I'm the Coordinator of the Weekly Writing Challenge, Editor in Chief of FaithWriters' Magazine, Book Review Coordinator, and editor of all the FaithWriters Anthologies. Most exciting new venture is partnering with FaithWriters in the brand new Page Turner Writing Contest. (If you haven't checked that out yet, then what are you waiting for?)

Although a little neglected at the moment, I also write for my own website, "Breath of Fresh Air." Finesse is my business, Breath is my heart, and my hope is to tie the two together in writing and publishing venture in the future.

Finesse has exploded over the 12 months that it has been operating, and that really is a blessing from God. As well as editing work, I've been blessed with a large number of regular freelance writing jobs, ensuring that I enjoy the balance of writing and editing.

Writing is my passion, but editing is a delight and joy. Professionally, there is nothing I love more than helping another author shine.

God continues to take me by surprise with the opportunities and jobs that He brings my way. One of the most amazing should be going public in February 2007. That's when the Cool Country Gospel Hour - A Breath of Fresh Air will begin broadcasting on Cool Country Radio 2KA (1476 AM) here in Sydney. I'm not only writing all the content, but also giving voice to it. This door of opportunity was opened purely by God's hand and I continue to stand in awe. (If you're a FaithWriters regular reading this, this is probably news you didn't know!) The wonderful thing is that this is not a Christian Station, yet they not only want inspirational shorts, they also want each week to finish with the Gospel Message. What a privilege and honor to be entrusted with that.

And to answer Amy's question (in my Guest Book), yes, the plan is to stream the station online in the not-too-distant future. I'll send out a bulletin to my friends when that happens.

In August 2007, I'll be attending the first FaithWriters Conference in Michigan as one of the key speakers and I can't wait to meet so many of my friends, at long last. If you are attending, make sure you come over and say "hello."

I guess that's enough to introduce myself. I'm looking forward to using the blogs to share more of me with my friends, new and old.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, too!

Love, Deb