TILLMAN, Deborah Lindsay 1953-

PERSONAL: Born May 13, 1953, in Homestead, PA; daughter of Charles W. Lindsay (a millwright and crane operator) and Matilda (a hospital cook; maiden name, Crocker) Tillman; married Mark A. Perry (a municipal environmental services operator; divorced). Ethnicity: "Black." Education: Opticians Institute, diploma, 1984; School of Paralegal Studies, diploma; Median School of Allied Health Careers, certificate, 1999. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Baptist. Hobbies and other interests: Art, drawing, music, poetry, poetry recitals.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Harobed Publishing Creations, P.O. Box 8195, Pittsburgh, PA 15217-0195.

CAREER: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, financial representative, 1985-98; Shadyside Hospital, Shadyside, PA, out patient registrar, 2000-01; Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, oncology coordinator, 2001—. Freelance writer and artist.

MEMBER: International Poetry Society, National Poetry Society, Black Women's Writers Society, Poet Forum Society.

WRITINGS:

Come Inside (poetry), Harobed Publishing Creations (Pittsburgh, PA), 2003.

Some writing appears under pseudonym Cha'lay.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Not Just Any Woman and Ode to Life, both for Harobed Publishing Creations (Pittsburgh, PA), completion expected in 2005.

SIDELIGHTS: Deborah Lindsay Tillman told CA: "My motivation to write is through God, who gave me the words to speak, the ears to hear, and the eyes to see. The different feelings encountered by everyday life inspire me. My writing is not for judgment, but for the freedom of expression. It represents a journey through time—past and future. Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni influenced me with their words of truth and vision. I value their contribution to education (both are professors). Poetry takes us through a journey into time and brings us back to the future with songs from the heart. I've learned publishing and its many facets through time and perseverance. My favorite book I've written is Ode to Life. The past was then but now fits well into this time and age. Life is a revolving cycle with no end."