I've always been a reader and a writer. Loved Dickens as a  teen and may have, at least partly, become an MSW because of him. The MG and YA novels I write reflect my work with kids and families in agencies and schools. BENNI & VICTORIA, a MG novel, came out of my work in specialized foster care, for example. HYPER HARRY evolved from my experience with kids, teens, and adults with AD(H)D. Right now my agent is pitching my YA ms. SHELTER, which is the result of  volunteer work with child  victims of domestic violence. SHELTER is about domestic and dating violence. Let's hope it sells. DV and dating violence are big problems and getting bigger.