Like most novelists, I love to read almost as much as I love to write. Favorite books I've read in the past year include Pope Joan by Diana Woolfolk Cross, The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow, and Helen of Troy by Margaret George.

When I'm not writing, I work as a freelance writing coach and editor. I also have taught feature writing workshops at various venues throughout the Midwest. My latest book, Front-Word, Back-Word, Insight Out: Lessons on Writing the Novel Lurking Inside You From Start to Finish is that writing workshop, available for the first time in book form.

Writing is hard work. It takes patience and dedication to earn a living with words.

But I cannot imagine living any other sort of life.