Background
A farmer's daughter raised close to the land on the plains of West Texas, she went on to study agricultural journalism at Texas A&M University, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
A farmer's daughter raised close to the land on the plains of West Texas, she went on to study agricultural journalism at Texas A&M University, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Early writing experiences included stints as a reporter for the school newspaper, The Battalion, and as a writer for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, specifically the 4-H program.
In her first years after college, Deborah wrote for magazines such as Fort Worth Magazine, Persimmon Hill, and Lone Star Horse Report. Her first book, The LH7 Ranch in Houston's Shadow, was published in 1991 (University of North Texas Press). Listed below are her notable awards and works of authorship.
Independent
The science fiction and fantasy author Andre Norton was a major early influence on Deborah's writing. To quote from Norton's Wikipedia profile, under the heading of Recurring Motifs:
“Again and again in her works, alienated outsiders undertake a journey through which they realize their full potential … In most Norton books, whether science-fiction or fantasy, the plot takes place in the open countryside, with only short episodes in a city environment. Protagonists usually move about singly or in small groups, and in conflict situations they are more often scouts, spies or guerrillas rather than regular soldiers …
“As could be expected of such characters, they tend to be resourceful and capable of taking independent initiative … the protagonists (often young) are thrust into situations where they must develop quickly …”
That description applies equally well to the Waterspell fantasy trilogy. Deborah's protagonist, Carin, is a teenager who undertakes a journey that taxes her resourcefulness to its limits. By the end of the trilogy, Carin is far along in realizing her full potential. Deborah is clearly influenced by all the Norton books she read in her adolescence.
Quotations: “We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel ... is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become.” —Ursula K. Le Guin
Quotes from others about the person
Reviewers have praised Deborah Lightfoot Sizemore's "The LH7 Ranch" as "an excellent history" (Lone Star Library), "captivating and well written" (Review of Texas Books), "rich with details and spiced with humor" (Books of the Southwest). Her children's book "Trail Fever," published under the name D.J. Lightfoot, won critical praise in leading journals including Kirkus Reviews ("thrilling"), Booklist ("fascinating") and School Library Journal ("interesting details"). Sizemore's third book of nonfiction, the coauthored "A Century in the Works," is a "well written text which takes the reader on a journey back in time," says Review of Texas Books.
More recently, readers have described this author's Waterspell fantasy trilogy, published under the name Deborah J. Lightfoot, as "brilliant and unforgettable" (Lady Vigilante), "extremely well written" and "a marvelous addition to the fantasy genre" (Liz Wilkins), "completely unpredictable" (Ali's Books), and "imaginative and exciting" (A Life Through Books).