I am the winner of the first-ever cellphone novel contest in the western world with 13 TO LIFE (which launches as a series from St. Martin's Press in June 2010). I brought the American twist to the Japanese concept. ;-) Short, consumable reads with a rebel's heart and layers of subtext. My stories are not typical Asian cellphone novels written by young women in a semi-autobiographical fashion. My cellphone novels are their energetic and dangerous teenage American cousins. ;-)

What started as a simple cellphone novel here has grown into a multi-book deal with St. Martin's Press for 13 TO LIFE. We've gotten some amazing reviews from bestselling authors and I recognize that I'm truly blessed. Book 1 in the 13 TO LIFE series comes out in June 2010. I invite you to pick up a copy and see how a simple cellphone novel like the 13 TO LIFE I have posted here grew into a series.

Writing has been a catharsis for me--a way to work through tough times. I started seriously when my grandmother became suddenly and seriously ill. I was about 11.

Writing has become my way of expressing myself and building worlds and (I hope) intriguing characters who get thrust into interesting predicaments. I am a freelance writer, artist, farmsteader and first and foremost--a busy mom and wife.

My stories have the tendency to seem like quick reads--and they are designed to look that way--but perceptive readers will find twists, turns, subplots, subtext, moral and ethical questions and a wide array of literary devices sneak in. They are meant to be read in the way that best suits the reader.

I recently received recognition for my short story NHI from ReadingWriters.com. They had 303 entries and I'm in the top 13 (not bad when you consider it was Halloween-related ;-). They've posted an excerpt--This was the first contest I'd had the guts to enter since I was initially published (and duly recognized) in 8th grade.

I don't spend much time networking--never saw the value of it until this last week on TextNovel.com, so any sites you see with me involved are sites I've learned something from or sites I'm learning from.

I invite you to read my work and give your opinion, and become involved in what I hope will be a community of writers and readers--not just a bunch of visitors hopping in to vote on something.