Q: First tell us something about yourself.
I am a former special education teacher and mother of two young adults (one with autism). I am currently pursuing a full-time career in writing (a lifelong dream).
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I started reading Dr. Suess books before I started school, and I grew up spending most of my time reading. My favorite authors were Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. Reading, Language Arts, and English were always my favorite subjects in school, so I majored in English when I went to college in hopes of becoming a professional writer.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I wrote my first story as a child. As an adult, I’ve written multiple novels and self-published two using a pen name. However, I’ve recently found that my passion lies in children’s book writing.
Q: Tell us something more about your books?
My goal in writing children’s books is to tell stories that will inspire children to see and celebrate their own unique beauty (inner and outer) as well as the beauty of those around them. I want children to feel that they can be uniquely themselves and still feel as though they have a place in this world. I also want to inspire them to choose joy, peace, and love above all else.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
Ulysses and Peg is based on a story that my daughter wrote for me when she was a child. The story was called “Lily and Peg Go to Space,” and it was about a unicorn and a pegasus that happen to be best friends. I thought it was such a clever story, but the idea to make it into a book did not come to me until over ten years later. I’ve written three additional Ulysses and Peg stories – Ulysses and Peg Find Love, Ulysses and Peg Find Peace, and Ulysses and Peg Find Courage – and I am currently preparing them for publication. My hope is that, through reading these stories, readers will be inspired to find their own peace, courage, and unconditional love for self and others.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
I want my readers to know that we are all magical just like Ulysses and Peg.
