Experience Summary
While I have made a living as a technical writer in the software industry for sixteen years, part of making a life has been through my creative writing. I have written eighteen screenplays, three adult fiction manuscripts, three nonfiction manuscripts, two YA manuscripts, and now I hope to have found my niche as a middle grade novelist. I am repped by Joy Tutela of the David Black Agency who is trying to sell my first MG as I finish working on my second.
Teaching Style
Pick out what's good and encourage that. It is too easy to focus on the negative. As a writer who understands rejection very well, it has humbled me. Another set of eyes always helps during the editing process. Sometimes a writer just needs to be set on the correct path, and they can do much of the rest from there. Being a parent has also taught me patience, which is something any teacher needs. Also, reading helps you become a better writer. I think when I was younger I didn't want to hear that as much, but it's true.
My Hobbies
U of L sports, Minnesota Vikings, music, books.
Type |
Level |
Year |
Title |
Issued By |
Degree |
Masters |
1995 |
Masters of Arts in English with ... |
University of Louisville |
Degree |
Bachelors |
1992 |
Bachelor of Arts in Communication |
University of Louisville |
Other |
Composition Instructor |
1998 |
Adjunct instructor in English De... |
JCC |
Other |
Composition Instructor |
2001 |
Adjunct instructor in English De... |
Indiana University Southeast |
Award |
Runner-up |
2011 |
5th Annual StoryPros Internation... |
StoryPros |
Other |
Music writer |
2009 |
Online music columnist |
Examiner.com |
Other |
Music writer |
2010 |
Online music columnist |
Louisville.com |
Other |
Co-author |
2010 |
Pop Goes the Culture" A Father a... |
Outskirts Press |
Other |
Sports writer |
2004 |
Louisville Fire columnist |
Arenafan.com |
Award |
Finalist |
2013 |
Short story contest |
Louisville Writer's Block |
Award |
Winner |
1993 |
Career Award Winner for Literatu... |
• National Society of Arts and L... |
Other |
Short Story |
2013 |
Short story - The Ballot |
Spitball Literary Baseball magazine |
Other |
Short Story |
2010 |
Short story - Corporal Punishment |
Published in Almost Famous compi... |
Award |
Finalist |
2012 |
Screenplay - A Year Without Ordi... |
SpiritQuest Screenplay Competition |
Award |
panel selection |
2013 |
Screenplay competition |
Lindsey Film Festival |
Other |
Author |
2015 |
Middle Grade fiction writer |
Represented by Joy Tutela of the... |
Other |
Technical writer |
2015 |
Senior Technical writer |
Sixteen years in the software in... |