Why I Started Writing:

My passion for writing began at eight when I published my first magazine, which I sold door to door for a nickel. I also received a long-awaited journal for my birthday that year. The magazine folded in the first week, but the journal writing continues to the present day.

Though I’ve written since I was a child, it wasn’t until about twenty years ago, I began to sense God calling me to devote more time to my writing. Eventually, I sought publication. I initially worked in nonfiction, but God led me to write a novel, which at the time, felt a bit like walking on water since I had always thought of writing fiction as doing the impossible. But somehow, through a lot of prayer and God’s help, I did it. Multiple novels later, I’m still at it

Authors Who Have Influenced Me:

Several of my favorite authors are Georgia writers, all in the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame―historical fiction author, Eugenia Price, and journalist and novelist Celestine Sibley.  Dr. James Kilgo, a nature writer, as well as novelist Terry Kay, who had two of his books developed into Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, were also personal friends and had a profound impact on me.

Jan Karon has been a huge influence in my writing, and at one point we exchanged letters. David McCullough’s historical accounts inspire me in my research, and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s classics continue to be favorites. I often have a copy of one of Madeleine L’Engle’s lovely books near me, as well. Besides the Bible, C.S. Lewis and Oswald Chambers have been important in my spiritual walk.

Books I Have Written:

Middle Grade Historical

In Search of the Painted Bunting, coming soon

Fiction

Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees, a coming-of-age story set on Saint Simons Island, Georgia.

Home to Currahee, a contemporary novel with a World War II thread.

The Key to Everything, A Plan for Everything, and A Season for Everything, all small-town Georgia romances.

Nonfiction

Faith in the Fashion District, a memoir about how my faith played a part in the ten years when I traveled as a fashion buyer.

What I'm Working On Now:

I am working on a sequel in a small-town romance series, another blog post, a nonfiction book, and I hope to start another middle grade historical.