: About Me

As co-owner of a performing arts studio, Slightly off Broadway, part of my job involves writing plays and musicals for drama classes. I love directing the productions and watching my words on the page come to life. I've also been privileged to sell some of my scripts to a drama department in an Arkansas middle school and to the Little Tomato Children's theatre for productions.

I've had several pieces published in well known kidlit magazines like WeeOnes, Dragonfly Spirit, My Friend magazine, and have 2 upcoming acceptances with Hopscotch for Girls.

My personal essay was included in the Penguin Putnam book, "Dear Mom" and at one time I was an editor for Suite101.com.

I'm also a professional singer and trained musician and teach classes in voice, drama, dance and creative writing.

My passion is ...

Writing

I know too much about ...

trivia

My parents always told me ...

To do my best

My childhood ambition ...

actress

My favorite memory ...

Can't say yet - still have lots of living to do

Why I write ...

I can't not write

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

Harry Potter books and movies, Mary Higgins Clark books, The Amazing Race, Gilmore Girls

My first job ...

neighborhood news reporter for a local paper when I was in high school

My best moment ...

becoming published by a paying magazine

My inspiration ...

My friends and family

Arts & Humanities > Writing Tips How to write an excellent first chapter for your novel

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How to write an excellent first chapter for your novel  Nothing is more important than the opening chapter of any novel.  As a writer, you have to hook your potential reader, often within the first couple of paragraphs.  If you do not have a strong opening and an enticing first chapter, chances are you won’t even get your book in print, let alone sell any copies. So how do you make your writing stand out from its competition?  There are several scenarios to entice a potential reader:  ¨      Conflict:   Have two people e...

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