I've had unique, unusual experiences in the museum field. Maybe it was the geography, or maybe I gravitated toward odd. Some of the things that sound far-fetched in this novel are based on reality, and things that happened to me in several institutions (that shall remain nameless). Dive bars, too. Love 'em.

Granted, not the monsters and bloody horror part, but pig skulls, odd scientific labs and weird exhibits--been there, done that. I used to tell people about one place that was beyond the pale, and they never believed me anyway. So, why not transform it into fiction? Plus, my siblings and I have always been interested in UFOs, the Yeti, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster. Our grade school classmates heard presentations on ALL of it!

I've spent a career writing professional materials--grants, exhibit scripts, peer review reports, catalogue entries, etc. I'm also an artist, and in the last few years have been working towards children's book writing and illustration. I belong to a SCBWI critique group that has been an inspiration. Several members are published authors, and I'm impressed by their dedication. I used to write fiction as a hobby back in graduate school, and realized the desire was still there. Creativity wants to emerge one way or the other, and I find that it's all connected.

Because I pursue art and writing, I enjoy putting my own publications together. I'm sure there's an element of control freak in it, too. But the more I read about new technologies and the changing nature of publishing, I decided it was worth giving indie publishing a try.

I found the style guide helpful and easy to use, and having it as a template enabled me to quickly convert a manuscript to an e-publishing format. I'm also a Mac user, and an iBooks reader, and I've downloaded my share of books from Smashwords authors. I'd seen the name was was curious about it. And here I am...

Mixing disciplines, exploring new subjects, but also taking on the challenge of weaving many elements together into a coherent whole. In some respects, it's similar to an art project or exhibition. The process can push your boundaries, force you to weed through the morass, and, if you are open to critique and suggestions, improve what you do and how you do it in the process.

Hmm. I'm not done with these characters yet. They've got more to their stories, and the Upstate New York wilderness has myriad mysteries to reveal--at least in my version of it. I'm working on a sequel to Sink In Your Claws titled Bring Up the Bones, and I have a few other ideas in the works.

I'm also an artist, and spend time painting, drawing, and planning artwork. I work with watercolors, acrylics, and found objects. I like to use recycled materials, so I salvage driftwood and repurpose it, which takes some grunt work. In addition, I play french horn in two performing groups--something I've done since grade school and can't fathom not having as an outlet. It's given me some of the best experiences of my life.

I also photograph any and everything connected to nature. Bugs and small creatures make a fascinating study!

Oh, yes. It was a lovely short tale about a newt that ate fruit and died.

A mix of outlining and "throw it all out there and see what sticks!"

I was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Spent hours in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. To this day, I credit the Camel Driver Attacked by Lions with my interest in animals, art, museums (and a brief, ill-planned foray into taxidermy as a child). My parents always had books around, and we were always encouraged to read any and all subjects. I suppose interests in reading become interests in writing, and I was on the staff of our high-school publication, Inklings. That and I had two excellent English teachers in high school (as opposed to many of the others.....but we won't go there!) who encouraged interest in writing and speaking.

Honest answer? My cat, demanding Fancy Feast. I'm not a morning person, never have been. But the feline ruler has other ideas.

Depends on my mood. I have lots of books on endangered and extinct species, natural history, and animals. I also read a lot about the history and culture of New Orleans. Travel guides, cultural explorations. And then detective fiction, crime and thrillers, and mysteries. And if I must admit it, in high school, I read all the George Herbert, Stephen King and any other horror stuff I could get my hands on. Kingdom of the Spiders or The Lair, anyone?