MY JOURNEY
Favorite Quote: "A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit." - Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
Photo credit: Adler Boncher Creative
When I was in 7th grade, an English teacher gave us an assignment to create our own island, make up names of lakes, mountains, cities, people it with interesting characters and write a story. I had so much fun using my imagination, I have been writing ever since.
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I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but attended elementary school in Singapore, and high school in Hong Kong, where we moved to be closer to my Mom's family. In 1979, I came to the U.S. for college and graduated from Dominican University in San Rafael, California, with a B.A. in English Literature with a Writing Emphasis, and a M.S. in Counseling Psychology.
Most of my career has been in counseling or social work. I worked with Mendocino County Child Protective Services, and with kids in residential treatment centers, and group homes. It was here, reading and telling stories to kids who were away from their families, that I discovered the power of stories to soothe, comfort and inspire children. I decided I wanted to write books for kids. Currently, I have a part-time day job with the Mendocino County Office of Education as a grant manager and Mental Health Awareness coordinator and instructor.
I enjoy writing in different genres and, in addition to children's books, have written magazine articles (both for kids and adults), short plays, play and book reviews, and am currently working on two middle grade novels as well as more picture book projects.