.     When I was in third grade, I had my first brush with "writing fame" when I wrote a patriotic poem that won second prize in a contest. The prize was free summer writing camp.
 
   Was that what propelled me to becoming a writer? Nope. Sports camp was much more fun. Archery! Trampolines! Dodgeball on scooters! 
 
   I didn't think seriously about writing until I was an adult. When I was 28, I decided that I wanted to open a children's bookstore. With the support of my family, I did just that. And, BOOM! I was completely and forever in love with children's books.

     When the store closed, I turned my attention from selling books to writing them.

​     If you're wondering how long it took me to get my first book published, let's just say I'm a late bloomer...

For more facts and photos, click HERE.