There is a rumor out there that readers like to know a bit about authors; how they live, where they live, and even how and why they write. So, with that in mind, allow me to tell you about myself.

I am, and always have been a voracious reader. If something has words on it I read it – cereal boxes, historical markers, graffiti, and books. Books of all kinds; fiction, nonfiction, jokes, encyclopedias, dictionaries, almost anything. Except, I never read the directions for anything and I never read cookbooks. I do read every day, and, I admit, I read too much. Fortunately, I live in Coronado, California because I am able to get fresh air while reading outside.

I like to write everyday but I am easily distracted by a good book, or coffee with friends, or a walk on the beach. When I am working on a project I write from about 10 AM to 4 PM and then take a break. If things are going well I often write again from 11 PM until 3 or 4 in the morning. In other words, I’m not very disciplined but I get it done.

As to why I write, I like to tell talk and tell stories and one thing leads naturally to the other. Also, I read the Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy and Tacy, books when I was young . There are ten books in this series, and because I adored Betsy, she inspired me to write. I was fortunate to have a short story published in American Girl Magazine when I was nine, which reinforced my belief that I could write, and from then on I knew that I wanted to write.

As a single Mom, I found myself writing for work; grants, tech manuals, articles about information technology, etc. But in the 60’s and 70’s and 80’s I also wrote short stories for the women’s magazines of the day. In the 90’s life interfered but since 2007 I’ve been back to writing.

I still write short stories which are usually about family relationships, murder or mystery. Currently my short stories have been published in magazines and four anthologies. The most recent anthology Magic, Mystery, & Murder, won the 2019 San Diego Book Award in its category.

In addition to reading and writing I enjoy traveling the globe. You may have seen pictures of Dobby and I on our travels. I also teach in the adult education system. I am a quilter, a painter, and love making most any type of craft project. I frequently participate in, and speak at, book clubs and other book related events.