Back to Insider Info for Readers

The Family

Greg and I have four wonderful kids--all grown--plus a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law. Each of them contributed to the video adventure in their own way.

DAUGHTER #1 - THE OLDEST

This is our daughter and her wonderful husband. She's a graphic designer and made the "Deeanne Gist" logo you see at the top left of the website. She's done many graphic design projects for me, but in the case of the video adventure, she mostly gave me feedback when I needed fresh eyes.

She's an absolute angel with a wicked sense of humor and dry wit. A perfect combination for the first born.

Her husband's contribution? He gives up time with her so she can do those projects for me. And I'm very grateful to him! :)

CHILD #2 - THE OLDEST SON

This is our son and his precious wife. He's a software developer and once the video adventure was complete and uploaded to YouTube, I discovered that in YouTube the "you-make-the-choice" options at the end of each vignette wouldn't work on mobile devices.

I immediately called my son. He said the only work around was to build a custom website. I asked him who I should call and his response was, "You won't be able to afford them, Mom. I'll need to make it for you."

And so he did. Between 10:00pm and 2:00am (his only free time), he built the RompThrough1893.com website which allows everyone to play the video adventure no matter what type of device they are using.

He designed the entire thing--the background, the share buttons, the "Skip to Choices" option, the clickable buttons at the end of each vignette, and everything else you see.

His sweet wife is my biggest cheerleader, my biggest fan, and one of my dearest friends. She does a lot of behind-the-scenes work for me and has attended many of my events as support staff. If I ever I need a pick-me-up, she's the one I call.

CHILD #3 - DAUGHTER #2

This is our ray of sunshine. Always smiling. Always ready with a quip and a laugh. She is an interior designer and the one I used as inspiration for Della in It Happened at the Fair and in the video. (Full story here.)

She along with my other daughter and daughter-in-law, also attends my events when her schedule allows. Some of you may have met her at RomCon where she's pictured below with a microphone.

Back when we were still thinking to film Romp Through 1893 (rather than animate it), I commissioned a gown for her that would have a sash along the back for Cullen's invitation to become caught in. The animator used it as inspiration for the gown Della wears in the animated version.

CHILD #4 - THE YOUNGEST

Our youngest is your classic last-born child--a free spirit all the way. Happy-go-lucky. Loves people. He's an incredibly talented musician and was writing concertos in the sixth grade.

He composed, arranged, recorded, and edited the soundtrack for Romp Through 1893--though now he has new software and equipment and wishes he'd had it when we were working on this project. To my ears, though, I think it sounds perfect just the way it is. :)

Recently added to his repertoire is stand-up comedian and screenwriter. How fun is that?

MY SIS

This is my sister, Gayle Evers--the unsung hero who has my back at all times. She's been my assistant for years, though has recently semi-retired to pursue editing and other endeavors.

She's been another set of editorial eyes for seven of my last ten books. She's been my plotting partner. She's been my right-hand man at events. She's a creative genius. And she's one of my very best friends.

She and I plotted the video adventure during a two-day drive from Colorado to Texas. It is just one of many wonderful memories the two of us share.

Top