About

From the time I could sound out letters, I loved reading, and my favorite memories are going to the library with my mom and coming out with a bag overflowing with books. I preferred realistic fiction stories with strong characters. My favorite authors were Judy Blume, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Mildred D. Taylor.

In fifth grade, I won a young author’s competition and decided I wanted to become a writer. I worked hard in school so I could be in the top reading group in my class. When I turned fourteen, an article I wrote was published in my hometown newspaper. I was embarrassed to have my picture published, but excited to get paid a check for something I wrote.

I couldn’t imagine writing an entire novel back then but was encouraged that I could do it one day, when Dr. Maya Angelou came to my college to speak, and I was fortunate enough to be in a group that picked her up from the airport. She shared a bit about her writing process and told us it took a year to write her award winning book, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. After college, I got a job at a newspaper and later wrote feature articles for a family magazine.

Getting married and becoming a mom to my daughter and two sons encouraged me to start the Sophie Washington children’s series. I wanted to write books about characters who looked and acted like my children and their friends that they’d love as much as I enjoyed my old favorites.

I read my first draft of Sophie Washington: Queen of the Bee to my kids as a bedtime story, making changes based on their reactions. When I shared the manuscript with their school librarian, she encouraged me to get the book published. I was nervous at first, but so happy I took her advice. It’s exciting to see kids around the world enjoying the Sophie Washington series and to find my books shelved in the library system where I checked out books as a girl. I’m very grateful to be able to live out my dreams!

Fun Facts:

• My favorite games as a kid were hopscotch, jacks, roller skating, and Monopoly.  
  
• I learned to knit in middle school, and during Hurricane Harvey, I was part of a group that knitted blankets for people flooded out of their homes.
  
• My favorite candy is peanut M&Ms.
  
• As a teenager I volunteered at my neighborhood library, shelving books.
  
• When I’m not reading or writing, I like to ride my bike and go for long walks.