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Some writers start out knowing what they want to do. Not me!
As a kid, my two favorite things were reading and being outdoors.
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I grew up in a small town on the south shore of Long Island, 65 miles east of New York City. My dad is a medical scientist. My mom was a scientist and an artist, too. I have three older brothers who I adored (still do). We all played piano and guitar. I played the flute and sang in the chorus, too. I liked to climb trees, draw pictures, eat apples, and read, read, read. |
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In high school, my friend and I wrote and illustrated a book about a local river called The Carmans River Story. It’s still in print!
But I didn’t think I would be a writer. I traveled to India with my parents (this is my passport picture when I was 15).
I built trails and slept under the stars in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. I was stung by a scorpion! |
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At Harvard College I studied geology and art.
I learned to SCUBA dive and worked for a marine biologist. One big problem—I was seasick all the time! So I decided to go to Harvard’s graduate school in landscape architecture, which is a profession that designs outdoor spaces like parks, gardens, and city plazas. Here are some ancient plazas and buildings in Turkey, where I worked with my friend Kathy (she is an expert on ancient gardens…imagine!).
Writing books was the last thing on my mind.
Instead I moved to California and began a job. California is a good place for people who like to be outdoors. On the bay, people were sailing and rowing in long skinny boats. I learned to row, and that is where I met my sweet and wonderful husband, Ken.
We had two cakes at our wedding—cream puff and chocolate—because my stepson, David, couldn’t decide. Both cakes were delicious!
Our son, James, did not like being a baby (he got happier, as you can see).
Sam was so quiet, sometimes we forgot we were holding him in our arms! He loved to smush spaghetti with his little fists.
What is it with noodles in our house, anyway?
Anyway…
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A couple of years ago, the idea for The Adventures of Hector Fuller came zooming into my head.
Why?
Good question!
In any case, Hector landed me at this messy desk.
Here in our house are five humans, three cats, two salamanders, two antlions (look for the antlion in Hector on Thin Ice), and one piano. Outside is a garden with fruit trees and blackberries that have grown wild since I started to write. Down the hill is Sam’s school, where I helped to build another garden for the teachers and kids.
These days I carry a notebook and pen wherever I go. I scribble down anything interesting that I see or smell or dream. I read and read and read.
My father, my brother, and I all published books this year. We had a party at the library to celebrate.
I guess I’m a writer now!
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What’s Next?
All the places I’ve been and things I’ve done have given me ideas for stories about animals and ancient places and sleeping under the stars. I’m working to finish them soon and get them ready for kids to read.
Come back and visit—I’ll keep you posted!
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