Writing has been my passion for many years, since my teens, but I've been most active during the last twenty. I write everything from business communications to web content, short stories to poetry. I published my first YA science fiction/fantasy novel in 2006 - "Alysa of the Fields, Book One in the Tellings of Xunar-kun"; the first draft of the second in the series is finished and is planned for release fall of 2008.

Children's picture books are also a passion. I wrote and illustrated "Snailsworth, a slow little story." in 2004 and have a few sequels planned.

Last fall I started offering creative writing workshops to children and adults. It's so rewarding to see people go from wondering if they have anything to write about to creating the most amazing stories from their own lives!

My son attends the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. My home is in the lovely hills surrounding Corning, NY. I love to travel, garden, care for my pets, hike and dance.

There's a lot more information about my creative endeavors on my websites in mylinks.

My passion is ...

Writing, of course! Communicating ideas, creating worlds.

I know too much about ...

Limitation. I stopped doing that to myself.

My parents always told me ...

Mom: Be careful, somebody might steal it; Dad: Make us proud!

My childhood ambition ...

To raise horses.

My favorite memory ...

My son's loud, healthy complaint when the doctors removed him from my cozy womb.

Why I write ...

I think this is what I was born to do.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Younger by the Day by Victoria Moran

My first job ...

Hostess at the swank O'Brien's Inn in Waverly, NY

My best moment ...

When my publisher accepted my first book ms.

My inspiration ...

To be a full-time writer and illustrator, to not have to work for others unless I am moved to do so.

Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Science fiction

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from "Alysa of the Fields, Book One in the Tellings of Xunar-kun".

Countless times Alysa's mind reworked the confrontation with Kendira. Each time she felt more frustrated. She always tried to live according to the Laws handed down by Father Gord'n. Why, all of a sudden, did the Laws seem contrary to what she needed for happiness? The Laws ensured the survival and prosperity of the clan. Why, the closer she was to becoming an adult, did she feel less able to accept what was expected of her?

Over and over these questions reeled through her brain. One tenet Teller Kendira had taught with ...

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