Bio

I’ve always been full of stories–perhaps this is why I began talking at a very early age, and I have rarely stopped since. My favorite game as a child was any imaginary, dramatic one, where I could act our scenarios based on TV shows or movies, or better yet, create worlds of my own.  As I grew older I started writing down some of the stories, as well as poetry, and the journal I began keeping in my early teens. In addition to reading, I also enjoyed essay and research paper writing in high school, then later at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where I received BA degrees in English Language & Literature, with an emphasis on writing, and Secondary Education/English. I returned to UMKC for my MA degree in Curriculum & Instruction/English, again choosing to emphasize writing.

Many of my stories lived on only in my mind, but about thirteen years ago I began putting them to paper (or computer screen, as the case may be). I have one ABSOLUTELY completed, although not yet published, historical ‘fact-fiction’ novel, which I began writing with my partner Lelisia Hall. There is also another nearly completed novel (just needs more editing), as well as one mostly completed novel, and MANY, MANY other chapters, scenes, etc. These are all part of a multi-volume series called The Door into the Rose Garden, which I continue to work on, in addition to other projects, including poetry, a teen novel, a children’s book based on ‘The Stolen Child’ by William Butler Yeats, and various other projects.

I have lived all over the United States but I have now found myself back in the town where I grew up, Independence, Missouri. It’s where most of my family is, including my three amazing and beautiful daughters and my two equally amazing and beautiful granddaughters. Lee says we’re NEVER moving again (and right now I don’t want to!), but knowing my past–29 moves in 57 years!–who knows where I might end up.

 

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