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My writing career started in high school when I began working with published author and writing coach Jonathan Friesen. When I was seventeen I joined the Marion County Writers Workshop which has produced, over the years, authors such as Michael Vanatta, Stephen Brayton, and Kathy Bacus. There I brought my writing every week for peer review.
In college I began to finish off my first few rough drafts of my Crystala Chronicles. A series I was far to close to at the time. I also began to do my own peer reviews and help other authors hone their craft. I also began to improve my artistic talents. My artwork is now featured on wine labels across Iowa and is also saved at Indian Hills Community College for later classes. Before I finished college I managed to place runner up in the Marion County Writers Workshop scary story contest and win the Nearwood Winery poetry contest. I also lost my mom and sister that year. After that I found my way to reading paranormal romance by Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan. Their writing gave me new worlds to help me get through and gave me inspiration for my own. After college I started up my own contracted massage business working events all over Iowa such as Anime Iowa and with organizations like Hospice of Central Iowa. I also spent three years working as a Physical Therapy Assistant in a wonderful nursing home. I learned a hard lesson about doing what you must and what you want. An editor at Wild Rose publishing took interest in my novel. At that time I worked sixteen hour days. After three rounds of edits I was turned down because I could not meet the deadlines. From there I went on to win the Marion Country Writers Workshop scary story contest, place top ten in the Write Place Publishing House novel contest, and win the Our Front Porch Books writing contest. I found my hope at a regular day job in a small county hospital. I also found a great group of authors and editors. My first novel, and second... and third... came out with many mistakes and lessons. Besides writing I'm an owl, chicken, and bird in general lover. I'm a gamer and have held a position in Iowa's Pokémon league. I have an amazing and loving husband. Really the best. He is 37 years older than me. Yes we have things in common. He's a nerd and writer just like me. We often spend nights playing video games or board games. I have my mom and both my sisters to thank for their years of support. All three are gone now. But still, they are a driving force that pushes me to fulfill my dreams. My dad has been there every step of the way, editing my novels, reading my books, and giving me the encouragement I needed. If you want to keep up on the antics of my life follow my blog. I'll be posting pictures of my events, inspirations, newest love obsessions, funny stories, and more. Have I told you of the time I hit a fish with my car? |