How long have you been a member of Inspire?

1 ½ years

What prompted you to join Inspire?

The instructor of a writing class I took said I need a critique group. A short Internet search led me to Inspire

Was there a particular moment when you knew you were a writer?

After I made my first submission to my critique group and they encouraged me so much I thought it could be a possibility.

Describe your writing career high point and low point.

I haven’t had much of a “career” yet, but I went to Mt. Hermon in 2011 and an editor asked to see my full MS. I was stunned.

Low point was when my computer and my back up flash drive was stolen and I lost 5 ½ novels.

Which of your stories is the closest to your heart?

Hidden Under His Hands, because it has a lot of action and it is about a believing woman who is so hyper-focused on God's call that she is missing the blessings of her obedience to Him.

What project of yours is gathering dust?

I have several rattling around in my head, but I am focusing on curriculum writing for my students. If that is ever done I will get to them.

What’s next for you?

I am waiting to hear about my submissions from Mt. Hermon, writing Bible curriculum for 6^th graders, re-writing Hidden Under His Hands and trying not to forget the other stories swimming in my head.

What have you read recently that you couldn’t put down?

Just finished She Walks in Beauty, and now very engrossed in Anathema. The characters in She Walks in Beauty were so driven by their need for status through superficial means that I was compelled to read to see how the main character was going to break free from the expectations imposed on her. Anathema is written in the medieval time period, which is where my brain lives all the time. I'm hooked by the main character's journey of self-exploration.

What does it mean to you to be a writer?

I never aspired to be a writer. I never excelled in language arts in school. This is God’s journey from start to finish. I am just trying to be obedient to His calling for whatever His purpose may be for my stumbling words.

Was there a book that changed your life?

Not one book, but I hated reading until I started reading Stephen Lawhead.