"I love empowering teens and adults in understanding the fundamentals that make writing work, be it grammar, an essay, or fiction. At Regis University, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in English, and my teaching certificate. Afterward I taught high school English and Reading. When my daughter was born, I decided to stay home, began tutoring, and pursued a career in fiction writing. Twenty-five years later, I’ve earned an MFA in Writing from Pacific University, published three novels and one short story collection, and won a lot of awards (some of them quite notable). Yet I still tutor because I love working one-on-one with people. It allows me to discern each student’s specific learning style, needs, and goals, and then to tailor our time for the most productivity and success.

Students in high school, college, and beyond—I’ve worked with them all. I have helped many high school seniors write winning college application essays, and nothing makes me happier than when they email or text to let me know they’ve been accepted to the school they hoped for. I’ve taught week-long writing workshops for writing organizations and bookstores, and semester-long courses for college. My articles on writing have appeared in School Library Journal and Writer’s Digest. I’ve mentored budding writers young and old, and many have gone on to publish.

Feel free to contact me with any additional questions or to schedule a lesson. I am happy to do a free initial consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!" less...