My
brother thinks I'm an alien, at least sometimes. Friends think I'm a little
artsy (I like to paint and draw). My husband thinks I'm a pack rat, since I tend
to hang onto things longer than I should. And my kids think I was born a
grown-up.
I've always
enjoyed storytelling, and my mom tells me that I have a vivid imagination.
Sometimes, I wish I had saved the stories I wrote when I was a child.
In high school, I decided that I wanted
to be a scientist when I grew up. Following graduation, I pursued that dream. I
went to college, received my degrees, and then worked for a pharmaceutical company
for seven years. After leaving the world of science, I decided to
seriously pursue writing as a career.
Writing Affiliations:
My Critique Groups:
-
The Blue Quills:
We formed as a children's writer group, but one of our members has been
submitting an adult thriller to the group. We have been together since January
2004. We split off from the Boost Online critique forum in November 2005.
-
Crits International:
A MG / YA international critique group
through Yahoo.
-
The Scribblers: A local, in person group of MG and YA writers
that meets once a month to go over individual chapters and once every two months
to critique whole novels for the group.
What Else:
Professional:
-
RACWI newsletter editor fall 2009-present
-
Freelance writer for an educational publisher 2007-present
-
SEO copyrighter 2006-2008
-
Freelance scientific editor 2005-present.
Web Management
Community:
-
Moderator / Owner of two community message
boards: one discusses children's books, and the other is a regional board.
-
Library volunteer at a local elementary school. Currently,
I'm leveling books.
-
Cub Scout Leader: three years as a den leader, Cubmaster -
spring 2009- present
-
Rochester Festival-to-Go participant since fall 2007
-
2006 Presenter in Leo Bernabi Elementary School's Camp
Read-a-Lot program.
Extra: my oldest recently drew a
great picture I thought I'd share.