She was born Dionne Cherie Ballon in the City of New Orleans with a silver doubloon in her hand. Four decades of Mardi Gras throws later, she works as a freelance writer and is the official press coordinator for Anne Rice's Vampire Lestat Fan Club. Under her former married name Dionne Charlet, she reviews literature and music, interviews celebrities, and covers NOLA events, parades, concerts, gala balls and conventions. Painting with words outside the bylines is her trademark. Her editorial, celebrity interviews, music articles, CD and book reviews are published online and in print.