Lottie Lipscomb Guttry grew up in the small town of Kilgore, Texas, and has taught literature and composition at Kilgore College, the University of Texas at Tyler, and the University of Phoenix. Her previous publications include Boom, a musical based on the history of the East Texas Oil Field, and The Enchanted Swan, a play for children. During her studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, a professor assigned her class to find and write about a family legend. As Lottie conducted research for this assignment, a cousin introduced her to the story of Sarah and Alexander Browning. Their history became the basis of Alligator Creek. Lottie and her husband John live in Longview, Texas, not far from their hometown of Kilgore. She participates in the music program at her church, serves on several community boards, plays duplicate bridge, and travels. She has three grown children, eight grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.