Graduated from Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, BS in Geography

"I don't really watch TV. I like three shows that I manage to follow, NCIS, Smallville and Hustle. I'm a push over for JAG reruns, too. Three people in particular that I follow the careers of: John Allen Nelson, Mark Harmon and David James Elliott. I believe they are honest, wonderful men. I think they'd be great in the screenplay for Unwritten. Now if I can just convince them."

  

 
the truth about Monica

M.C. Henson= Monica Collier Henson

My family came to the southeast long ago. I have a mixed heritage. I'm part English, Irish and Scottish. I know what Audrey Hepburn meant when she said, "If I were I dog, I'd be a hell-of-a mess."

Chapter One. I am born! Oh wait, sorry. I was channeling Charles Dickens. I was southern born, southern bred, and when I die I’ll be southern dead. Just like in my novel, Unwritten, I am from a small town in western North Carolina- Franklin. It’s very close knit, warm, friendly, and picture-resque. I left it for a short time for a foray of living in Paris and then in Atlanta. I missed my home, so I returned.

After being bitten by the creative bug at an early age due to injuries, I took pictures and wrote stories. I didn’t think anything would ever come of it. Little did I know, those passions would eventually pay the bills. Thanks be to GOD! I felt so creatively stifled behind a desk. I hated every single job I had. Then a funny thing happened, I took a scary leap of faith- I quit my regular job. The next thing I knew I was photographing thirty weddings a year around the world. My dream had come true- creative freedom. I'm still shooting weddings and working as a marketing consultant for small businesses. Check out justcliqueit.com to see some of my work.

I had an idea for a novel in 2000 or 2001. I can’t honestly remember the year. Finally, after years of procrastination, I sat down on October 3, 2006, and banged out the story that had been dancing circles in my head. I finished on December 8, 2006. Unwritten was finally a reality.

I have learned not to sweat the small stuff, or the large stuff. Truly, surrender it unto the Lord and walk by faith, not by sight.

 

Want to know what's on my bookshelf? Look me up at Librarything.com

Join Monica's blog site and get the scoop on what's happening with the series

Did you know?

Monica's book has some real life inspiration. "John, Noah, David, Daniel, Holly, Rachel, Katie, and Sonny are all real people. Some are actors, some are dear friends. Art is imitating life in that respect. And I respected these individuals and their talents so much that I wrote them into the story."

Monica wrote in the car she dreams about owning one day- an Acura RL. In real life, just like Caroline, she drives a Jeep.

Caroline is actually another form of Carolyn, her real life mother's name.

Sonny is really the name of Monica's father. He's a Vietnam veteran, serving in the 101rst Airborne division.

Monica likes spending time at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The photo at left was taken by her then husband, John, on the Estate. They have separated as of June 2008

While writing scenes for the book, Monica listened to music. She's almost inseparable from her iPod. You can view the complete list that inspired her. Listen to music from Unwritten, available from iTunes or Rhapsody.