I was born in Tampa, Florida and spent the first twelve years of my life between Florida and North Carolina. My motivations for writing is my kids and this wonderful gift that is not only a part of me but is WHO I AM! My very first influence was Phyliss Wheatley who was a poet in time of turmoil. My other influences include: James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, E. Lynn Harris, Zane, Terri McMillan, and Eric Jerome Dickey.