Meet Tawn Skousen
Meet Tawn Skousen, an aspiring author on the cusp of being published. With her first book in the hands of an agent, Tawn’s writer’s journey is an inspiring one. She credits her amazing mother with encouraging her earliest work. “Like many authors, my road to becoming a writer followed a circuitous route. When I was a child, I enjoyed writing poetry. Initially, my poems were rather pedantic, of the ‘roses are
There’s also a story behind Tawn’s unusual and lovely first name: “According to my mother, my father didn’t like any of the names she’d suggested, so they created my name. They wanted a name that was unique and couldn’t be shortened. Plus, they thought it sounded melodic.”
Tawn values the reassurance she received. “My mom was my biggest cheerleader and strongest influence. Over time, my poems became less stilted and more imaginative. I branched out to other forms of writing. However, when I was younger,
I viewed writing as a hobby. A guilty pleasure. Not a profession.”
As a young adult, Tawn focused on animals and science and found the best job ever. “I’ve always had a soft spot for animals and hosted a menagerie of pets over the years, including a feisty squirrel monkey and a one-hundred-pound tortoise, among many others.”
“As a result of my love of animals and interest in science, I commenced college as a Biological Sciences major, planning to become either a veterinarian or pediatrician. During college, I wangled a job in the nursery at a wild animal park, where I bottle-fed the Bengal tiger cubs. It was my all-time favorite job.”
Like many of us, Tawn switched majors and found her way to a long-term career. “Midway through my undergraduate education, I decided to deviate from my original plans. I met with a college counselor and told her that I wanted to get a PhD in Genetics. My misguided guidance counselor told me that there was no future in genetics. Apparently, her crystal ball was on the fritz. She encouraged me to go to law school instead. So, I made a right turn and traveled in a new direction. I cut a few corners along the way, graduated with my Bachelors of Science at 18, earned my Juris Doctorate at 21, and passed the California Bar in the summer.”
After this stunning academic achievement, Tawn settled down to a full-time job. “My husband and I moved to San Diego, and I joined a large law firm that specialized in business and real estate litigation. I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of drafting legal motions and appellate briefs, but the facts and law restricted my creativity. Go figure.”
Even though she enjoyed her work as a corporate attorney, Tawn opted out to pursue the creative life of an author. “After several decades of practicing law, I decided to indulge my inner muse and launch a second career as an author. I loved whodunits and was a Hallmark Movie Mystery junkie, so I chose the cozy mystery genre for my first foray into the writing world.”
For her crime fiction, Tawn relies on her experiences as a wife, mother, and lawyer. “They say, ‘write what you know,’ so I did. My first manuscript, Seashells and Scoundrels, is set in a suburb of San Diego and incorporates local landmarks. The main character is a typical Type-A superwoman juggling her legal career and motherhood, and occasionally dropping a few balls along the way. She is stretched thin as she investigates, and resorts to shortcut cooking. Recipes are included in the book. The main character is reminiscent of my past and should be relatable to all working women.”
One of the family recipes included in the first book—for homemade tortillas—kindles warm memories for Tawn. “I flashed back to childhood memories of my maternal grandmother making delicious homemade flour tortillas, flattening masa balls in her hands, then cooking them on a griddle to golden perfection. As they cooked, sections of the tortillas would puff up like a balloon and she would quickly smash them flat, releasing a whoosh of air. The delicious aroma was akin to the smell of baked bread. If I kept her company while she cooked, she would sneak me a warm tortilla sprinkled with salt and dripping with melted butter.” |
In the cozy series, Tawn draws readers into her stories with anecdotes based on adventures with her own husband, children, and delightful grandchildren. “My husband and I have been married for over forty years. We were blessed with four children and a growing number of grandchildren, who add love and humor to my life and provide fodder for my stories. Many of the humorous scenes are based on true incidents. The story features a strong nuclear family, lovable pooch (of course), and mischievous children. Hopefully, the family dynamics and antics will strike a chord and evoke a chuckle.”
Her mother inspired Tawn’s writing in another very special way. “One character is modeled after my spunky Latina mother. My mom is active in Hispanic affairs and has assisted with the International Latino Book Awards for many years. An award was recently named in her honor. The novel incorporates a bit of my Hispanic heritage, weaving a vibrant Latin thread into the fabric of the storyline and adding an ethnic flavor to the food. My books are grounded in real life, and I hope they come to life for the reader.”
Tawn’s writing process allows her to combine creative work with family time. “My writing schedule is flexible, so I can squeeze in visits with my grandkids. When I am home, I walk my dog, Ruby, first thing in the morning. Then, I write with my faithful canine companion slumbering at my feet.”
The writing community has already recognized the high quality of Tawn’s first novel, Seashells and Scoundrels. “After my manuscript was edited (by Sisters in Crime member Lourdes Venard), I submitted it to the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association writing contest, where it was chosen as a finalist (under a prior working title). It was also shortlisted in the Chanticleer International Book Awards competition.”
Another sign of Tawn’s success as a new writer? She has an agent! “My attendance at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association conference enabled me to pitch to agents, some of whom were otherwise closed to submission. I was fortunate enough to land an agent, who is currently submitting my first book to publishers while I work on the second.”
To guide her career as an author, Tawn has joined well-known professional groups. “I am a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and The Authors Guild. I am grateful for the wonderful programs produced by the Sisters in Crime Grand Canyon Writers chapter.”
Tawn has been nominated as a Director for the 2025 Sisters in Crime Grand Canyon Writers Board of Directors. She’s enthusiastic about her role and the upcoming year. “I look forward to serving on the Board.”
