About Me

SOUND BITE VERSION: 

High School Creative Writing/English teacher by day, YA newbie novelist by night.

LONGER VERSION:

I've told stories for as long as I can remember.  Most of the time they were harmless:  cute stories about fuzzy bunnies, or  self illustrated, like The Tale of Three Foxes that my mom still has in a cedar chest somewhere.  Other times, I told stories that were flat out lies: stories that I made up out of the blue, just to see if people would believe me.  


I distinctly remember one day in elementary school when I casually explained to a boy in my class (while twirling on a merry-go-round during recess), that I couldn't invite him over to my house, because my grandfather was the President of the United States of America.  I went on to say that because of this patriotic fact, a GIANT EAGLE lived on the top of our roof, since it was the symbol of our nation (yes I said those exact words);  and if the boy came over and was mean to me, the eagle would fly down off the roof and peck his eyes out.  So, I had to protect him. I simply couldn't invite him over, it was for his own good.   I don't know what was more scary: the fact that I was making up disturbing stories involving giant birds, or the fact that this poor kid really thought for the entire year that my grandfather was the President.

Why did I tell you that?  Because some day, it will be relevant. I am sure.  You will thank me.

I am a high school English and Creative Writing teacher. Currently, I am writing a YA urban fantasy novel.  I have taught teens for almost a decade (YIKES!) and have the exponentially graying hair to prove it.  The Aveda Salon gals are my BFFs. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science  in Communications from Appalachian State University (Go APP!) and derive great satisfaction from telling teenagers that I have a degree in BS.

RANDOM FACTS:

I sing harmony to all songs on the radio- regardless of what's playing.  Try me

I heart guacamole

I use LARGE HAND MOTIONS when talking.  I have been accused of being histrionic more than twice.

My dog is the cutest dog on the planet.  I win.

That kid on YouTube who does "Kittens Inspired by Kittens"  makes me laugh SO MUCH, I could watch that over and over and over and over and over. . . *stops writing, watches video*




 

I have an Edward Cullen cutout in my classroom.  We dress him up depending on what novel we are reading at the time. He makes an awesome Beowulf.  The Gatsby flapper costume isn't too shabby on him either.

Mountains trump beaches.  Always.

I am that annoying person who will watch a movie and then memorize all the lines, and then quote the entire thing while you watch it.  I can't help myself.  I try to cover my mouth.  I try to hum "It's a Small World"  I even try to leave the room (when possible).  I think it's a condition.  Sorry.  I whisper the lines under my breath, because at least I am a hyper-sensitive annoying person. 


Going back to my last point, it really is more fun if you would just memorize the movie and then we could quote it together. You should work on that.