About Me
My love of fantasy began at the age of eight when my father gave me The Hobbit for my birthday. Unlike any book before, that story transported me to a world of magic swords, noble heroes, and dark lords. Very quickly these other worlds became an obsession. I devoured the works of Tolkien, Brooks, Lewis, and Adams. I felt at home in the fantasy realms; places where all that truly mattered was what you could carry on your back and those companions who meant the difference between life and death. As a skinny, freckled-faced, red-headed, eight-year-old, I stood ready to defend the entire world against all evils, big or small.
I read so fast that I worked at my high school’s library for class credits during the week and spent countless hours at my local library on weekends, lost among the towering shelves of books. And when I didn’t have a book at the end of my nose I was outside hiking deep into the woods with my dog, disappearing for hours on end as I relived my favorite scenes from each new book I’d read.
I lived happily in these worlds for many years. But all great stories must come to an end.
After college I put aside the books I loved to focus on a career and the realities of becoming a productive citizen. I put my undergrad in Pre-Law to good use and got into real estate, but there was always that calling, that ache to go back to the worlds I loved most.
When the pull became too strong I made time to read again, and sure enough the passion returned and I couldn’t get enough of those mystical, fantastical worlds. I even went so far as to book a vacation to Ireland (where I truly believe magic was born) so I could feel the ancient history of the land. I was drawn to touch every castle wall and standing stone circle I came across. There was something about those stones that called to me.
For most of my life I never considered writing for myself, not when I was thoroughly entertained by authors like Patricia Briggs, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Sarah J. Maas. I enjoyed getting lost inside someone else’s world, until one day I realized I was creating my own stories. These new worlds kept coming back until I had to write them down. Once I had filled three notebooks I knew I had to find a way to bring my worlds to life. But how? I had never written even a short story before.
They say when the student is ready, the mentor will come. And I believe that wholeheartedly.
I met mine—Dave Wolverton, (AKA: David Farland) at Fantasy Con in Salt Lake City were we spoke of our love of books for almost an hour before I mentioned that I wished I could write like him. He handed me a brochure with the dates of his upcoming writing workshops.
And my life changed.
I kept that brochure in my nightstand for two years, rereading it countless times, amazed that Dave had helped Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull, Stephanie Meyer, and other great authors to hone their skills and become megastars. I told myself as soon as I was good enough I would sign up. But my reasoning was backwards. I needed to attend to become good enough. I booked my first workshop immediately.
Dave became more than a teacher, more than a mentor, he became my friend. His unexpected passing a few years ago left me lost. And though it took some time, I continued to work on my novel—the one Dave encouraged me to write—the one that is now almost finished.
I have, and always will, take classes and workshops from the best writers and instructors in the industry: Jim Butcher, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dean Wesley Smith, to name just a few. But Dave will always be my mentor. The one who believed in me more than I believed in myself.
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I currently live in Colorado at the foot of the mighty Pikes Peak—my sentinel mountain. I have dogs, cats, goldfish, and a wonderful husband who supports my writing with pure enthusiasm. In my limited spare time I ride and show Event horses (which are really dragons in disguise and the closest thing to flying I’ve found). And of course I love the outdoors. Beyond the horizon is always where I long to be.
My writing journey has been full of adventure, training, and wonder. I’d love for you to join me on the second half of this journey, through worlds where heroes are born and power and magic give rise to creatures living just beyond the realm of humans . . . but not for long.