I've always loved to write.

My earliest writing memory is of creating a picture book with captions at the age of seven for my mother about the joys of housework. Even then, I was saddled with a severe tongue-in-cheek personality, and haven't been able to remove it since.

Reading is another passion of mine, and I read as much as time permits. As a girl I loved mysteries and spy novels, and to this day I still can't wait to read the next Daniel Silva or Ken Follett. Janet Evanovich is an all time favorite, and well researched historicals, such as those by Phillippa Gregory are always a great read. I'm also seriously addicted to Carl Hiaasen's novels. His characters are simply unforgettable. There are so many more, and as you can see, it's an eclectic mix. They've all had an impact.

I grew up in Minnesota and currently live in Washington State, just outside of Seattle, with my sweetheart, an ex-chef who is now a contractor. We are surrounded by beautiful, ginormous trees and copious amounts of water. And yes, it RAINS buckets in the winter... a great climate for writing, as long as you own a snorkel.

I've spent a lot of time in sunny, gorgeous Arizona, and go as often as I can. Sedona (and Red Rock country) is one of my favorite places, as are the Superstition Mountains near Phoenix. Both Arizona and Washington State inspire creativity, and I love each for their own special qualities, although I think it wouldn't matter where I lived, I'd always have something to write about.

I've lived on a sailboat in Mexico, in California's gorgeous wine country and in the last frontier, Alaska. This gives me a wealth of experience to draw from. Like Kate, I love to travel and hike and spend an inordinate amount of time in the great outdoors- camping is one of my favorite past times. I'm also an avid photographer and kayaker, and am a huge proponent of trying just about anything, as long as it doesn't hurt too much.

Thanks again for stopping by. Feel free to drop me a line. I'll answer whatever questions you may have about writing, the Northwest, the Southwest and anything in between!

See you at the beach!
DV