All About Me
Hold fast to your dreams!
As an award-winning author of historical fiction and biographies for children and young adults, I'm committed to sharing with you stories that are carefully researched, joyfully written, and authentic. Whether you're an aspiring writer, an avid reader, a caring parent, or a dedicated educator, I hope the subjects of my books will inspire and motivate you.
My writing roots
I've known I wanted to be a writer since I was in the fifth grade. My mother used to read fairy tales to me, and I was a voracious reader. When I lived in Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, I had a dedicated teacher--Miss Rowell--who read to us daily, from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series. Since then, I've traveled all over the world as a military Brat. My parents instilled in me high standards of excellence.
My Writing Style
I like to write in the early morning hours, first in a journal, then on my MacBookPro. Writing is a solitary task. For me, writing to music helps me to focus.My muse is Miles Davis. But, depending on my mood, I might write to favorite movie soundtracks, or character-driven songs like Nat King Cole's : Straighten Up and Fly Right. I also like to write away from home: in a library, the park, near the ocean, or on the train.
My favorite nickname is "Moxie." Originally, it was a patent medicine first bottled in 1876. In later years, it became a refreshing cola-like drink. The dictionary's meaning is "force of character, pluck, or self-confidence. But my favorite definition is: "spirit and determination in the face of difficulty.