Woodiwiss Kathleen Woodiwiss Kathleen is rightfully considered the pioneer of the modern love story novel. She was born on June 3, 1939 in Louisiana, USA. At the age of 16, at a dance evening, Kathleen meets American Air Force officer Ross Woodiwiss, and a year later they get married. Some time later, they are sent to Japan, where Kathleen moonlights at an American modeling agency as a model.