I'm so excited about my debut novel, The Fence My Father Built, releasing October 2009 from A new line of women's fiction at Abingdon Press. It's about a daughter who longs to locate her biological father, Joseph Pond, a half Nez Perce Indian. When she finally locates him, he's died. She inherits his property in Central Oregon, which turns out to be a rundown trailer surrounded by a fence made out of old oven doors. She struggles to resolve the problems her earthly father left her, while searching for the love and acceptance only a heavenly Father can provide.
I've coauthored three other nonfiction books: Making Peace with a Dangerous God,Revealed and Lost Boys and the Moms Who Love Them. I also write short stories, and several of them have recieved awards. I was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2004.
For eight years I've taught novel, essay and memoir writing at a community college and I frequently speak and present workshops at writing conferences. I remember what it's like to be just starting down the writing road, and I love to help new writers hone their skills.
In the early 90s, I learned to write while I ran an inhome daycare biz. Every afternoon, I put the kiddoes down for a rest in my living room, ran around the corner to the kitchen, and stood up as I typed away on a Royal electric set upon the stove top. I wrote and wrote and was lucky enough to join a writer's group with members such as Melody Carlson and Heather Harpham Kopp. I still live in the same house, although I use a computer (not on top of the stove!) and I'm married with four adult children and five cats: Oliver, Xena Warrior Kitty, Paladine, Melchior and Mamma Mia!