I am from the small town of Versailles, Ohio, where I grew up and still live. I am the superintendent's secretary for Versailles Schools and have been there for 23 years. On top of working full-time and writing a third book, I opened an online clothing store called C & C Clothez. (Check it out at www.ccclothez.com!) I love trying new things. It is scary doing things I have never done before, but I figure if something scares me, I will keep doing it until it doesn't.
If you asked any of my high school teachers if they thought I would end up writing not one but two novels, they would probably look at you like you are crazy. I am more creative, and when I was younger, I was constantly getting in trouble for daydreaming and not paying attention during class. Looking back now, I can't help but laugh. That wild and creative imagination that got me in trouble back then is the same imagination that helped me write my books. We all have talents. It's about figuring them out and then chasing after your dreams with them.
Growing up, I always had this crazy imagination and could think up stories in seconds, but it never crossed my mind to write any of these story ideas down. Then in 2004 when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, I decided to type out some of my ideas. These ideas eventually turned into my first novel, And I Believe.
When I finished writing And I Believe, I wasn't ready for this story to end, so I turned it into a sequel and wrote Mattie. Mattie picks up 18 years where And I Believe left off, and it is full of so many twists and turns that I knew there needed to be more. So, I'm currently writing the third and final book to the And I Believe series called Bottle Full of Demons. This book will take the readers down a whole new path but will be full of bits and pieces from And I Believe and Mattie.
Everyone has a story to tell, and I desire to share as many of these stories as possible through my writing. Majority of the characters in my books have a connection to someone I know in real life - whether it be battling a deadly disease, hiding a deep, dark secret, or learning to live and love again after losing a loved one. If I can get readers to connect with at least one of my characters, this makes my writing all worth it.