The professional info: I've written about 30 books for publication; most have already been published, but a handful more are forthcoming in 2018 and 2019. I've also been published in magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, and numerous reference books. I'm an experienced writer in additional areas, including: curriculum, corporate and nonprofit communications (newsletters, press releases, grant writing, websites, and more), and I have been known to help people write their family history. I'm a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. I am the moderator for the Dakota SCBWI region's webinars.
I've taught college courses: Writing for Magazines, Writing for Children, Introduction to Ethics, Administrative Writing for Public Administration (a graduate course), and Headline News and the Bill of Rights.
I have a B.A. in English and German (exceedingly rusty now!) and have a J.D. I practiced law for several years as a law clerk in state and federal court and as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.
The personal stuff: The youngest of four, I was born and raised in Menno, a tiny South Dakota town. I've lived in Iowa, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C. I'm married to Steve, a super good guy who works in IT security and thus speaks a language I don't. We have three lovely daughters -- one in Chicago, one in Malaysia, and one in Austria. Then there's Tommy, our soft-coated wheaten terrier. Tom-Tom resembles a toddler in many ways (despite being 10 or so) and makes us laugh every day. In the fall of 2017, we adopted Sammy, a sweet, snuggly, and quiet boy who isn't always sure what to think about his more boisterous older brother -- but often looks to him for guidance, nevertheless. Both Sammy and Tommy are rescue dogs.
As a kid, I loved book-order days and read everything I could get my hands on. I still love to read. Have you ever met a writer who doesn't? Growing up in the Midwest as I did, I was always fascinated by pioneer stories and would have loved to time-travel and experience that life firsthand. Now, as an adult, I realize pioneers dealt with some inconveniences that might have challenged me a smidgen beyond my comfort zone, but I still daydream about what it was like to live in another time and place.
In fourth grade, I wanted to be a writer, a lawyer, or a teacher. I've done all three, but writer is by far my favorite title. Unlike many other writers who completed their first book at age six or maybe 10 (for those late bloomers), I distinctly recall starting my first novel in fourth grade. Then I got stuck on the plot. I was writing a mystery, no doubt fueled by my love of the Trixie Belden series (so much more authentic to me than Nancy Drew -- no offense). In sixth grade, my best friend and I used to get together and work on stories. She wrote reams compared to my paltry few paragraphs. In any event, I've been writing nonfiction of all sorts forever but am finally, truly embracing the challenges of writing fiction, too. One thing that hasn't changed since fourth grade -- plotting still stresses me out. But I am determined!
I've taught college courses: Writing for Magazines, Writing for Children, Introduction to Ethics, Administrative Writing for Public Administration (a graduate course), and Headline News and the Bill of Rights.
I have a B.A. in English and German (exceedingly rusty now!) and have a J.D. I practiced law for several years as a law clerk in state and federal court and as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.
The personal stuff: The youngest of four, I was born and raised in Menno, a tiny South Dakota town. I've lived in Iowa, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C. I'm married to Steve, a super good guy who works in IT security and thus speaks a language I don't. We have three lovely daughters -- one in Chicago, one in Malaysia, and one in Austria. Then there's Tommy, our soft-coated wheaten terrier. Tom-Tom resembles a toddler in many ways (despite being 10 or so) and makes us laugh every day. In the fall of 2017, we adopted Sammy, a sweet, snuggly, and quiet boy who isn't always sure what to think about his more boisterous older brother -- but often looks to him for guidance, nevertheless. Both Sammy and Tommy are rescue dogs.
As a kid, I loved book-order days and read everything I could get my hands on. I still love to read. Have you ever met a writer who doesn't? Growing up in the Midwest as I did, I was always fascinated by pioneer stories and would have loved to time-travel and experience that life firsthand. Now, as an adult, I realize pioneers dealt with some inconveniences that might have challenged me a smidgen beyond my comfort zone, but I still daydream about what it was like to live in another time and place.
In fourth grade, I wanted to be a writer, a lawyer, or a teacher. I've done all three, but writer is by far my favorite title. Unlike many other writers who completed their first book at age six or maybe 10 (for those late bloomers), I distinctly recall starting my first novel in fourth grade. Then I got stuck on the plot. I was writing a mystery, no doubt fueled by my love of the Trixie Belden series (so much more authentic to me than Nancy Drew -- no offense). In sixth grade, my best friend and I used to get together and work on stories. She wrote reams compared to my paltry few paragraphs. In any event, I've been writing nonfiction of all sorts forever but am finally, truly embracing the challenges of writing fiction, too. One thing that hasn't changed since fourth grade -- plotting still stresses me out. But I am determined!