I love to write. I honed my creative writing skills first while studying creative writing at the San Francisco Art Institute, and then later at the Log Cabin Literary Center in Boise, Idaho with a writing group called the Magnificent Seven. I worked with Kelly Jones (The Woman Who Heard Color, Penguin Group), helping to edit her novel, The Last Madonna, and with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tony Doerr (All the Light We Cannot See, Simon and Schuster)-both instrumental in developing my craft. I also spent many years as a professional writer/producer in the advertising field for radio, television, and print, having owned an advertising agency at one point. I am a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), Alli (the Alliance of Independent Authors), and NIWA (Northwest Independent Writers Association.Right now, I am nearing the Orion Nebula, conducting a little research for an upcoming Melanie Simpson novel and touring the universe on a spaceship with two of my novel characters, Orbit and Slug (you don't know about them yet, but will). When I finally set my feet on earth again, it will be in Oregon where I live, returning to what I call 'The Writing Cave.' There, under the light of a gooseneck lamp, I will continue to work on Melanie's next great adventure, along with other novels.
