I have been writing since I could hold a pencil, and long before I could spell. Childhood writing consisted mainly of poetry. After I became an elementary education teacher, the majority of my writing efforts went toward teaching children to write rather than to my own creativity. In 1996, I experienced a stroke that left me unable to teach, and I turned my innovative energies back to my own work, crafting poetry, memoir, children’s fiction, and inspirational pieces.

My work has won various awards, and I’ve been honored personally from the Wyoming Writers, Inc. state-wide writers’ association. I’m most flattered by The Emmie Mygatt Award, which honors one person annually for outstanding service to Wyoming Writers, Inc.

My overwhelming desire as a writer is to create and publish articles, stories, and poems which inspire others to overcome hardships. My recovery from the stroke far exceeded that predicted by physicians and caregivers, who unanimously agree that the unexpected progress is due to my determination to succeed. If I can inspire others to overcome their own challenges, barriers, and setbacks, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose as a person and a creative.