Writing has been my passion since childhood, and I’ve worn many hats, including newspaper reporter and editor for business and college newsletters. I spent six years as a editor for the international College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) and six years as The Centerpiece editor, JCCC’s faculty newsletter for the Center for Teaching and Learning. I’ve had short stories and poetry published in college literary magazines. Other writing pieces fill my filing cabinet. After a long career as an educator, I am now rewriting the YA novel that I started many years ago. Currently I am a member of the Heartland Writers for Kids and Teens and attend weekly critique sessions. I want to learn all I can about writing good YA fiction and have been reading as many current, prize-winning novels as possible.