For many years, I was a musician and music teacher. I was encouraged to follow another "natural talent" of writing since I was a child. In midlife, I went back to university and earned a masters in liberal arts, combining music and writing at Hollins University. Following that, Hollins gave me a scholarship to their famous writing program. I am told my writing is lyrical. Little wonder, as I was a lyric soprano in my "other life." I have always been enraptured with the people and the world around me and with finding the magical and inspiration or fiery story in those things. I have had many grants and awards  that have spurred me on to continue writing through the years. I was an editor of Artemis, Artists and Writers in the Blue Ridge for 13 years. My students inspired me with that they were able to produce by my way of teaching all ages to write the way writers write. I subsequently co-wrote four creative writing texts and spent 30 years traveling and teaching teachers how to write and preparing student projects. When I decided to write a novel, I got a grant to the Iowa Summer Workshops and studied with novelists. I found great encouragement and peace and quiet to write as a Fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Many writers and their works have inspired me through the years and today.

2012 International 1st Place Award Literary Fiction for Forty Thorns, Best College Bookstores Nomination, Nazim Hikmet Poetry Award, YWCA Women of Achievement Award in Education,numerous poetry and short story prizes, Pushcart Poetry prize nominee, others..