It makes me happy; it makes me crazy. It's a compulsion. I tried to quit once. That lasted six whole months. Writing is a part of who I am. I love writing notes to people, writing letters to the editor, poison pen letters to businesses I've had unsatisfactory dealings with, bad poems, good dialogue, and articles about writing in addition to stories that explore what it means to be human or stories that transport readers to another time and place.

Because I believe in aiming high -- what higher honor is there than to write for children, preteens and teens? Because books were my salvation as a kid. Because the character I end up caring for most are kids. Because I absolutely love it.