My writing career started at the age of five, when I made up rhymes for family birthday cards. As a youngster, I wrote at night under the covers with the aid of a flashlight. I've always enjoyed telling stories, orally and written.

I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, moving to Los Angeles, California, when I was 13, later to Oregon (have been in Portland,Oregon since 1992). I’ve had many pets over the years: canaries, dogs, cats.

I’m the oldest of three girls and very close friends with my sisters, who don't live in the same state. My two sons and one daughter also live in different states! This means lots of phone calls and E-mails! It also means I fly to see family members quite often.

As a former teacher (BA/UCLA), my specialties are: reading, writing, speaking--all ages. I'm also proficient teaching organizational and study skills.

I taught writing skills to children in the Medford, Oregon schools, at the Annual Oregon Children's Writing Festivals at the University of Oregon in Eugene, and adult classes in how to write for children through Portland Community College.

Also, I'm a published writer of children's books: Thanks A Lot! (Butte Pub.), Friends Don't Have to Talk (PublishAmerica), and 10 historical fiction books for the Central Point Schools, Oregon. Additional stories have appeared in children's magazines.

I truly enjoy working with children and young people. I've had great success creating rapport while guiding students to higher levels of self-esteem and accomplishment. I also write poems and articles for adults and have had many published.

“Tooting my own horn”, people consider me well-organized, joyous, caring and compassionate.