My lifelong love of reading is what led me to become a writer.
I was raised in a hectic household, so books provided a wonderful escape from the chaos and noise. To journey into another world was pure magic. So was being outside surrounded by nature. I may not have understood why a walk down to the neighborhood pond soothed my anxieties when I was a child, but only that it did. It’s because of these two great loves in my life I like to weave elements of the natural world into my writing. As an adult, I still find that a quick stroll through my own backyard quickly clears my head. And if I’m lucky I might come across something to photograph, which is rapidly becoming one of my new favorite hobbies.
I’ve tutored high school students in essay writing for over two decades. While I enjoyed it, I felt it was time to pursue my dream of writing a full length novel a few years ago and retired from teaching.
After a few “false starts,” I turned to some of my old stories for inspiration. The Lady in the Woods is based on a short story I had written in my early twenties after losing a friend in a tragic accident. I’ve always had a fascination with ghost stories and until then, never imagined my first novel would fall into that category. I learned so much about myself throughout the process. First and foremost, I had to approach it like a full-time job rather than simply write when the mood struck me. If I’d gone that route, I never would have completed the novel. I also learned the importance of taking a break from technology by simply shutting off the cell phone and tuning out the outside world. Sounds simple enough, I know, but it took more than a little discipline on my part.
I grew up in Huntington, New York and have an MA degree in English Literature. I have taught as an adjunct professor at various colleges and am married to my high school sweetheart. I have two adult sons and a house full of furry companions. Although one of my favorite pastimes is driving up the coast of New England for a day of antiquing with friends, a perfect day is also curling up in a cozy spot in my home with a book in my hands, snuggling with my dogs.
