FAQ’s

How did you get your first job as a writer?

I was reading one of my favorite magazines and noticed an article contained some misinformation.  I called the editor and outlined the errors and corrections - she asked if I thought I could do better and I said yes.  A few months later – after careful research and lots of writing and rewriting – my article ended up in print.  I’ve been writing ever since.

What do you like to read?

I enjoy many different kinds of writing - histories, biographies, and a wide assortment of fiction – mystery, adventure, some science fiction.  And of course, I’m a big fan of children’s books.

Why did you become a writer?

I’m a writer because...I have to write.  I’ve done many different things in my life, but writing was always a part of anything I did.  For example, when I began working as a librarian, I volunteered to co-chair Young Author’s Conferences, teach writing workshops for children, and directed a student-run newspaper.

I’m a writer because...I come from a family of storytellers.  I grew up listening to tales of how my family traveled West – frontier stories of ranchers, miners, and Cherokee grandmothers – and older stories of coming to America by sailing ship and steamer from Ireland and Switzerland.

I’m a writer because...I’ve always been fascinated by the power of words. 

Where do you get your ideas?

My stories might start with something I’ve seen or an idea I’ve had and then I ask “What if?”  I enjoy research, so sometimes I begin with a topic I find interesting or I’m curious about.  It’s fun to dig into a subject and discover things I didn’t know or even imagined.