Grew up in Brooklyn, New York, back when mastodons (and Edsels) still roamed the earth. Education: Barnard College First job: Reporter/photographer at a newspaper so small, we had our photos developed in the local camera shop. Advertising claim to fame: I created Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills. TV gets invented, and I get a job as a sitcom writer, turning out scripts for shows like The Bob Newhart Show, Three’s Company, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Current (and favorite) incarnation: Author of Jaine Austen mysteries. Marital status: Wedded blissfully to business journalist Mark Lacter (aka Mr. Hubby), whose insightful coverage of the Los Angeles business scene can be checked daily at http://www.laobserved.com/biz/ Favorite authors: COMEDY: Joe Keenan. MYSTERY: Agatha Christie. SERIOUS STUFF: Anne Tyler. Hobbies: Reading, swimming, gardening, and lots of walks (mainly to the refrigerator).