I am multitudes. – Walt Whitman

I live in a world of wonder, fueled by interests and passions. Many of my curiosities and experiences find their way into my writing.

Raised on the east coast, I was drawn to the west coast, where I settled. Oregon suits me well with its ocean, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Exploring this amazing place buoys my spirit and encourages creative pursuits.

I didn’t come to reading and writing early or easily. I was the squirmy kid in class, staring out the window at the playground or counting down the minutes until recess. Playing sports, not reading or writing, was my outlet.

It was in college that I finally got excited about the power of words. Reading can take you anywhere, and it can teach you anything you want to know. With writing, you can share your knowledge as well as your thoughts and feelings. Self-discovery can be an amazing result of writing.

Armed with my interest in words, I began teaching. The books my students read intrigued me, and it wasn’t long before I was thinking I wanted to be a writer. I just didn’t have a clue on how to go about it. So, I started small: letters to the editor, magazine articles, short stories, poems, and plays. Some were even published! With some success I turned my attention to writing books.

My interest in writing faction (my word for nonfiction) came after my son, Tyler, was born. Watching him explore the world with wonder ignited my own curiosity, which had cooled over the years. Writing faction is about wondering, asking questions, seeking answers, and sharing them. Thirty-three of my books have been published. These include picture books, chapter books, and a graphic novel. Topics are wide-ranging, including sports, history, wolves, chewing gum, and money.

Writing song lyrics has been a relatively new outlet for me. It started from a line of a poem I had written that kept repeating in my head. I thought the poem could be a song. When I got introduced to a local musician, he agreed and went about creating the music for my words. We have been collaborating ever since, and I am fortunate to be working with several other musicians as well.

When I am not writing (which I do every day), I enjoy visiting schools to talk with kids about my books, the writing life, and my experiences. I also enjoy exploring the world by traveling to places near and far.