This is a recent article done by the "Downey Patriot." Although I am unable to upload it onto my website now, you can check out the article (in the "Downey Patriot" just last week! (August, 2007)

  This wonderful article tells how I grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, caring for my (twin) brothers while my parents were working--my father as a technical writer and my mother as a registered nurse (who loved to sing, by the way). I was only 12-years-old (one of twelve children)--when I began writing my first (later) published action-thriller, "The Rise and Fall of the Witch on the Bayou." (Like the main character in the story, I became a mother-like figure to my baby brothers). I also composed three songs then (all related to "Witch on the Bayou"): "Song of the Bayou," "Love is Not Defied," and "Poor Li'l Baby." For the last three years, I was a Finalist in VH-1's Song of the Year international songwriting competition. My latest song, "Never the Same Again," placed in the pop category this year. I've also placed in the folk category with "Long, Long Ago," and in the pop category with "The Thorns of the Rose." I was editor of the "Drill Sergeant" newspaper while I served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years. While working as a secretary at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, I also did some community theatre in Santa Rosa. I also managed to do some street-performing (mostly dancing) then at Fisherman's Wharf. This was after graduating from Nation College and working for the founder of the school, Julie Nation. I graduated with a special certificate in modeling. (Yes, I did some modeling also). I've also graduated with a degree in journalism from Pacific Union College and later a teaching credential from CSULB. The Lord got me through some very challenging times then--including a pinched nerve while substitute teaching. (I want to clarify that I didn't get the pinched nerve at one of Downey's schools. It was another district....!)