I learned to read in my oldest brother's lap, following along with whatever he happened to be reading. I told my kindergarten classmates, "Boy, have I got a great story to tell you! A guy wakes up and he's a cockroach!" So much for Dick and Jane.​ I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a writer. At first, I wanted to be a reporter, inspired by an "active journalist lady" on a deodorant commercial. But I realized I wanted to tell my own stories.

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In college, I majored in Writing and Anthropology, and afterwards I spent a few years working as an archaeologist around Illinois. That job took me through a thousand tiny towns, as well as through bouts of poison ivy, chiggers, and pneumonia. I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world. But I'm glad I'm not still doing it. Still, that job gave me plenty of anecdotes for my next book in this series.

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Later, I earned an MA in Creative Writing and spent many years writing and editing material for kids' textbooks. I've also pursued a ridiculous number of art-related interests, including filmmaking, quilting, drawing, and painting. Unlike my protagonist, Dana McDara, I haven't actually failed at them--mostly because I don't get grades--but I've made my share of pretentious student films, wonky quilts, and paint-filled messes. It makes life colorful.

 

I live in Chicago with my art-centric family and three cats.