When most people leave their full-time jobs, they slow down and take it easy. That is not the case with Mary Fonseca, who, instead of taking it easy, decided to take to the highways. After returning to life as a full-time free-lance writer, she traveled down nearly every major highway in Louisiana and Mississippi in the writing of her first book, Weekend Getaways in Louisiana and Mississippi. While some of the regions visited were uncharted territory for Fonseca, other areas were quite familiar. She and her husband, along with their five children, often found themselves on short weekends, camping or touring these areas. In ten months’ time in 1992 and 1993 (after the children were grown), she covered more than 9,000 miles on the road acquiring the memories and experiences that grew into this guidebook. In her preparation for Weekend Getaways in Louisiana she traveled another 7,000 miles. For her hard work and dedication, Weekend Getaways in Louisiana was named a “Best Book” by Travel & Leisure.
“I feel I have been given an opportunity few people will have—to visit practically every area of my home state, and a neighboring state, and share my experiences in two books. Meeting people—listening to the stories they tell me—has added an intriguing element to the writing of these books.”
Writing is no hobby for Fonseca, it is a career. Her third book, Louisiana Gardens, focuses on twenty-nine of the Pelican’ State’s most spectacular floral repositories, from Afton Villa to Zemurray. Mrs. Fonseca’s other writing credits include articles in Louisiana Life, Americana, Nation’s Business, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Mississippi magazine, and many others. She writes for all age levels—having contributed to New Orleans and You, Kid as well as Popular Science. She is an award-winning writer with past accolades from the Press Club of New Orleans.
Travel is still very much a part of Fonseca’s life. She particularly enjoys the photographs she has captured, some of which are used in her books. She still takes time out for walking, cycling, or working in her garden. Mrs. Fonseca is active in the St. Clement of Rome Guild and the St. Clement of Rome Holy Name Society. |