Messy. Next question. LOL! Actually, my desk is covered with normal office equipment and supplies: a computer, printer, and pens and pencils. A couple of writer's resource books are an arm's length away, and two wedding pictures of my husband and me add a personal touch.

I started writing for pleasure in 2013. Prior to that, while working on a second master's degree, I wrote academically. I decided to follow a childhood dream and write what I wanted to write. My first book, Ricky The Story of God's Faithfulness to a Special Dog and His Family, was completed in April 2013 and updated in August 2014. Upon its completion, I wrote the first book in The Life of Boo series, Boo and the Pesky Puppy, due to be published in fall 2014.

Ricky is the true account of our fourteen-year-old Australian Shepherd and his battle with lymphoma and bone cancer. Ricky's story is miraculous. He shouldn't be alive.

I want the world to hear Ricky's story. I can accomplish this by publishing independently.

Using my God-given talents to create something that wouldn't exist unless I wrote it. Sure, my story may be similar to others, but it is uniquely mine.

I recently finished the first book in The Life of Boo series, Boo and the Pesky Puppy. Unlike the true story of Ricky, this one is middle grade fiction. The story is about Boo, an Australian Shepherd, who is shocked when Mom and Dad surprise the kids with a puppy. Throughout the story, Boo attempts to make the puppy do something so bad that Mom and Dad will get rid of him. As the story progresses, Boo learns a very important life lesson. Hopefully readers will learn the same valuable lesson.

A typical day includes Bible reading, tending to the needs of our home, Jazzercise, and working part time. I'm also involved with music and care ministries through my church.

I browse favorite authors and categories. I also read blogs that often feature debut authors. If what they write sounds interesting, I download their book.

I read good Christian novels for pleasure. I like stories that are clean, with a touch of mystery and intrigue.

I read from my Kindle Paperwhite.

I grew up in Beaverton, Oregon. Beaverton didn't influence my writing as much as the elementary school I attended. My school encouraged reading, so at an early age I became an avid reader. One of my favorite authors was Laura Ingalls Wilder. As a ten-year-old girl, I wanted to become a writer like Laura. In 2013, I finally took the steps to become a writer.