Increasing Your Creativity/Expert Profile

Expertise

All aspects of creative writing including but not limited to: How to get started, creating vivid characters, establishing voice and point of view, setting a scene, writing exercises. How to publish, where to submit, how to write a query letter and what to do when submission is accepted and how to proceed when you receive a rejection. General question on the business of writing including the ever important topic of blatant self promotion.

Experience in the area

President of boutique publishing company, Community Voice Media, (published two books of short stories written by kids in grades K-12)Senior Staff Writer for Washington,DC area newspaper. Columnist and book reviewer About Families magazine, award winning short story writer,Executive Director Young Voices Foundation -Mentoring Young Writers, writing coach and conference speaker.

Organizations

Pennwriters www.pennwriters.org (Board of Directors) Young Voices Foundation, Executive Director www.youngvoicesfoundation.org

Publications

Purcellville Gazette Newspaper, About Families Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul and Cup of Comfort Anthologies, True Story Magazine, Freedom Chronicles, Byline Magazine, and more

Education/Credentials

High School - Many years of writing classes and workshops. Instructor after school enrichment program Round Hill Elementary School, Round Hill, VA

Awards and Honors

Named Outstanding Woman of Loudoun County, VA 2006

What do you like about this subject?

Finding and mentoring young wirters is my passion and my mission. I want to stand in line at book signings and tell people I knew the author when he or she was just getting started. When that happens I do my Snoopy Happy Dance.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I want to know what young people think and how I can help them clarify their thoughts and express themselves through the written word.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

The introverted kid you think has nothing to say is full of creativity and hoping to find an outlet for expression.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

All across America parents, coaches and community members gather in support of young athletes, and that is a good thing. However, we have failed to offer the same type of support for the creative young person. I want to give these kids a practice field of their own. They may or may not end up as professional writers but, they will develop a life long love of reading and writing.