FAQ

I’ve been getting quite a few requests for more detailed biographical info, particularly from students writing reports, so I thought that I’d start a page that compiled all the little tidbits.  Have more questions you’d like to see me answer?  Leave them in the comments section. 

For a list of all my novels, go here.

Make sure you check out my full bio, too.

Born: February 26, 1968
Peoria, Illinois, USA

Family: Edna, mother, from Mason City, Illinois
Hugh, father, from St. Paul, Minnesota
Chris, brother (14 years older)

Married writer Jeff Strand in 1997.
Two cats, no kids.

We live in Tampa, Florida.

Grew Up: In Peoria, Illinois, and moved to Daytona Beach, Florida when I was a sophomore in high school.  (Yuck!)
My dad was a realtor, and I learned to read by reading the street signs in Peoria when I would ride with my dad to show houses.

Education: Germantown Hills Elementary, Germantown Hills Junior High, Metamora High School (all in the suburbs of Peoria, Illinois.) Spruce Creek High School (Port Orange, FL), New College, Sarasota, Florida, University of South Florida, B.A. in psychology.

Education/School-Related Jobs: preschool teacher, crossing guard, lunch room monitor, after-school coordinator, summer camp counselor, textbook writer

Information Technology-Related Jobs: technical writer, project managers, software licensing auditor, configuration management specialist

Writing-Related Jobs: ghost writer, editor, senior editor, executive editor, novelist

Other Jobs: volunteer coordinator, nanny, tour guide, promotions consultant, marketing and programming assistant

More questions?  Leave them in the comments!