about
It all started with a diary. As a child of divorce, I had so many feelings that I didn’t want to say out loud. Putting them on paper was my way of unloading and sharing my emotions in a safe space. I wrote voraciously as a kid, even forging journal entries for my best friend’s school assignments! My dad fostered my love of writing in many ways. An English professor and writer himself, he inspired me to communicate in this very powerful way. True to a teacher, he would refuse to spell anything when I asked for help, instead sending me straight to the dictionary (these days it would be dictionary.com). As I journeyed through life I saw everything as a story to tell but, unlike my childhood diary, now it was something to be shared. From my students to my own children, I was inspired to share what I was experiencing and learning with others. I hoped they could relate to my stories and feel connected and supported. That continues to be my hope every time I write, that it blesses others as much as it blesses me.
When my dad wasn’t sending me to the dictionary, he cultivated my love of writing by signing me up for workshops, encouraging me to read voraciously, and affirming any and every attempt I made at putting my thoughts on paper. I keep an index card on my desk that he gave me before he died that he scrawled with the Bic pen he always wore clipped to his shirt: “Pssst….you can do this.” My dad believed in me, often more than I believed in myself, and I still hold that inspiration very close to my heart. He taught me that, while it’s a skill that can be refined, writing ultimately comes from the heart and it is always worthy of doing.
Growing up, I saw stories everywhere. Parallel lines that accidentally intersected one day. Wacky adventures of a furry animal family affectionately named The Fuzzigizzals. How stars got into the sky--a poem that gave me my first glimpse of the publishing business. I begged my mom to buy the book that showed my work in real, live print! It was only $29.95 and I was famous. What a racket. I loved the fact that my words could create stories that didn’t exist before I sat down to write them. The possibilities were endless.
As an educator and a parent, I desired to share my real-life stories with others. My Special Education students inspired me to give them a voice, and the idea for my first book was born. Then parenthood happened and there just wasn’t time to write aside from the occasional posts about funny things my kids said or did (I wish I would’ve compiled all those into a book, it would have been hilarious). Another book idea surfaced as my kids began to deal with bullying issues at school. I wanted to reach as many children as possible with the message of God’s truth and love.
Writing has been one of the most healing activities in my life as I have faced the loss of loved ones, moving away from my family, miscarriage, divorce...and it all started with a diary. Thanks for joining me on this journey.