I was born in West Virginia, but grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. The neighborhood kids met on my front porch where we held The Triple S Club. One "S" stood for Sewing. One "S" was for Stamp collecting. Of course, the best "S" was for Story writing. We wrote anything we wanted and read our stories aloud. It was great practice for a future teacher/writer! After my children were born, I spent happy times reading picture books to them. One day I thought, "I'm sure I can write a picture book myself." It turned out to be harder than I thought, but I kept at it after receiving an editor's letter stating "We are holding your story for possible future publication." I was hooked! I spent several years teaching in high school and college and substitute teaching in elementary school. Teaching was fun, but I always returned to writing. My second book, Who Needs a Bratty Brother? won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, a children's choice. If you write, do not give up. Write what you are passionate about and read as much as you can. If you read, you are a fortunate person indeed. You've got the world at your fingertips.