Barbara Wilkins; Novelist, Magazine Journalist

Barbara Wilkins, 63, a novelist and journalist who specialized in magazine writing. After studying at UCLA, Wilkins settled in Los Angeles, where she wrote for Los Angeles and Time magazines. When People magazine was created, she was its first Southern California bureau chief. She also contributed occasional guest articles for The Times’ Sunday Opinion section on such topics as women in the film industry. She also wrote a nonfiction book, “Beauty for Always,” with Beverly Sassoon. Wilkins’ novels include “Elements of Chance” and “In Name Only.” On Wednesday in Beverly Hills.