My literary inspirations are J.K. Rowling, who also inspired my intellectually challenged son to become a reader. Speaking of my son, he is also one of my greatest inspirations, so I dedicated my first novel - Antiquity Calais: Standing at Armageddon - to him. Although I am not a fan, I must confess that Hemingway had an impact on my writing style. Richard Bach taught me how to think outside the box and provided many hours of reading pleasure during a time of my life that reading was not as important to me as it is now. Politically, athough I am a Democrat, one of my heroes was Teddy Roosevelt, whose speech before the National Progressive "Bull Moose" Party in August of 1912 gave me the inspiration for the title of my first novel, mentioned above. I have a bachelor's degree in communications from St. Joseph's College in Maine, and a master's degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. I presently teach communications courses for the University of Phoenix online.

Recipient of the Sister Dolores Sablone Communications Award, given to the top communications student in the graduating class at St. Joseph's College.

Recipient of the St. Joseph's College President's Citation, given at the discretion of the president, recognizing my efforts to establish the SJC Spectrum newspaper.

Perhaps my greatest achievement, though, was being honored by St. Joseph's College Student Life office, for naming an award after me, given to students who either revitalize a dormant activity or create something new, as I did with the Spectrum.