Why I Started Writing:

I’ve always loved to read and write. I’ve wanted to write since teachers in elementary school and high school offered encouragement on creative writing assignments. In high school, I kept a spiritual journal and continued to write stories, poetry, and nonfiction pieces. The natural beauty in the Pacific Northwest inspires me in my writing, study, and spiritual life. God has played a huge role in my writing journey, and I write to encourage readers in their walk with God.

Authors Who Have Influenced Me:

Children’s literature is where I find favorite classics, including Winnie the Pooh, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, Homer Price, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Heidi, Uncle Remus, Louisa May Alcott and Little House on the Prairie books, and others too numerous to list. I’ll read anything written by Madeleine L’Engle, Davis Bunn (aka Thomas Locke), Melanie Dobson, Francine Rivers, Mesu Andrews, Frank Peretti, Allen Arnold, and Robert Benson. Current favorite reading encompasses Christian historical fiction, time slip, biblical fiction, women’s fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and nonfiction Christian living. I love an intriguing story with unforgettable characters and hope to one day write a memorable book. I also dream of writing a Bible study or devotional book for publication.

Books I Have Written:

I’ve written more than seventy teacher resource books and children’s fiction and nonfiction leveled readers for publication by national educational publishers. I’ve also written articles, devotions, curriculum materials for children and adults for public and Christian publishers, Bible studies, and poetry.

A Chosen Path is my first novel. I wrote it for Dad, who always supported my writing but preferred reading historical fiction over curriculum materials. As I considered how to interest myself in writing about the WWII era, I stumbled on the Navajo code talker story. Like the character David in A Chosen Path, I enjoy solving cryptograms and secret codes.

What I'm Working On Now:

I’m nearly finished with the first draft of Dust to Dreams, a Depression-era novel. It’s tentatively outlined as part of a quilt-themed historical series. Forged by Fire, set at the close of WWI, is in development as a prequel to A Chosen Path. Journey Home, a late-1800s-era story exploring family dynamics, needs a ton more research. One day, I’d love to write a fantasy based on Colossians in the New Testament. Bible study projects in process and waiting their turn include Luke, 1 Peter, Malachi, and Philippians. My computer houses nonfiction Christian living books-in-process as well.