Why I Started Writing:

When I was little, I discovered that my dad liked to write poetry. I don’t remember learning to read; however, I do remember the first poem I wrote. With my dad’s help, I scrawled the standard “roses are red” in crayon on a Mother’s Day card.

When I entered my teens, I would post a poem on the door to my room to express my mood. I’m sure the angst was palpable for my parents, but they allowed me the freedom to express myself. At least it was a clue for them how I was feeling.

As I’ve matured, the need to express myself through writing has never stopped. Whether I’m writing about my kids or my faith, I try to passionately convey the thoughts and emotions of my story, and I’m excited to share them with readers.

Authors Who Have Influenced Me:

My father. He was a hopeless romantic, and he showered my mom with poems (most of which I was “too young” to read). His passion, his love for words, and his devotion to evoking emotions from his reader (my mom) are lessons I carry with me in my own writing journey.

Among the greatest influences I’ve never met, though, writers like C.S. Lewis, Dr. Seuss, and Karma Wilson have made me laugh, cry, and feel fully alive with their writing for children. I have been fed by their creativity and the intensity of their word choices. When I write, I hope my readers are as engaged with me as I am with my own beloved authors.

Books I Have Written:

My debut children’s picture book, Under the Dancing Tree, is set to debut from Elk Lake Publishing.

What I'm Working On Now:

I actively blog about Christian life, with a focus on my work and family (and sometimes the intersections of them). Beyond that, I am currently working on other picture books, as well as exploring a few other readerships and genres, as well.