A little about myself...
Ever since I could hold a crayon I was writing. Just ask my older sister whose books I scrolled my initials in when I was three. She’s still upset about it. I wrote short stories, poetry, and even a novella in grade school. I wouldn’t show any of those to an editor, but it was great practice. When I went to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) I tried out many different majors, but the one that fit perfectly was English. I studied literature with the belief that the best training for writing is to study great authors. Along the way I met my husband, who was a cadet in the Army R.O.T.C program.
After college, I decided I wanted to write for children, but I needed more information about the publishing business. I discovered the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). It turned out to be a very excellent move as they offered quite a few events in all facets of children’s book publishing. Soon I started research on an idea I had about witches in the Amazon (later, I would decide to create a fictitious island instead).
After college, I decided I wanted to write for children, but I needed more information about the publishing business. I discovered the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). It turned out to be a very excellent move as they offered quite a few events in all facets of children’s book publishing. Soon I started research on an idea I had about witches in the Amazon (later, I would decide to create a fictitious island instead).
In 2004, my life changed drastically when my husband was deployed to Iraq. He was in the Army Reserves, so active duty was new to us. He had a few days to contact his employer and pack before departing for training in Washington (state) for three months. After the training was ended he was sent to Iraq for one year.
Many people comment to me that they don’t know how I could have stood such a long separation. The answer, really, is you don’t have a choice and so you adapt as best as you can. The novel I had been crafting changed a bit as I thought about the effects of one event can have on a society.
My husband returned safely, and we rebuilt our lives together. I started a critique group with a couple of other writers, and made some progress on my novel Prana Island of Witches. A real turning point was when I attended the Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop with writing friends Sheryl Scarborough and Celia Bonaduce. I met agent Jamie Weiss Chilton there, and she said she would like to read more Prana—which meant, of course, I needed to finish it. The best news was that Sheryl and Celia received leads, too, so we decided to help each other.
Many people comment to me that they don’t know how I could have stood such a long separation. The answer, really, is you don’t have a choice and so you adapt as best as you can. The novel I had been crafting changed a bit as I thought about the effects of one event can have on a society.
My husband returned safely, and we rebuilt our lives together. I started a critique group with a couple of other writers, and made some progress on my novel Prana Island of Witches. A real turning point was when I attended the Big Sur Children’s Writers Workshop with writing friends Sheryl Scarborough and Celia Bonaduce. I met agent Jamie Weiss Chilton there, and she said she would like to read more Prana—which meant, of course, I needed to finish it. The best news was that Sheryl and Celia received leads, too, so we decided to help each other.
Several months later, I finished Prana and sent it to Jamie. Then came the waiting. What would she think? I didn’t know how she would react, but soon we talked on the phone and she asked if I would be willing to streamline the novel. I agreed, and after I sent her the revised novel she offered representation. I have two other supernatural YA series ideas I do some research on when I have time, though I can see myself writing middle grade as well.
