A Note From Me

I was born in the agricultural town of Salinas, California, eight miles from the ocean and with a fantastic view of tall, majestic mountains. I spent much of my adolescence in the suburbs of the Bay area, until returning to my hometown to finish high school.

Although, I moved a lot as a child, one thing remained constant throughout, and that was expressing myself through creativity.

My first memory of storytelling was in the third grade, when my best friend and I would watch movies and swoon over the handsome heroes. We began to write short story romances, reading them to each other, and giggle about first kisses.

Art became an important focus in my life in the fifth grade, when my teacher asked the class to try to draw a replica of a snake as closely as possible. When she saw I drew the snake nearly identical to the picture, she told me I was an artist and should stick with it. She then helped me to write and illustrate a children’s book for our school competition, granting me a language arts award that still sits on my writing desk. The story was titled The Adventures of Dudley Dolphin.

I never forgot her nor did I ever stop drawing.

In junior high and high school I was known to my friends as the girl who could draw, which later influenced me to write Graffiti Girl. Through my turbulent teen years, I read the dramas by V.C. Andrews and wrote angst-filled poetry. After graduating, I attended a graphic designs program and struggled to find a job in the competitive market to no avail. I went into sales and accounting and married one of my best friends from high school. And it was when I was pregnant with my first child that I rediscovered my love for reading with Nora Roberts.

For years, I read, wrote, researched, and wrote. Joined on-line groups and followed a dream that seemed too far out of reach–to become a published author. And finally, one day, my dream came true.

Since I sold my first book, there have been many ups and downs in my publishing career and I’ve thought maybe, just maybe, I’m not cut out for this industry. But then I remember the movies and love stories that captivate me to this day and remember I read and write underdog heroes who fight for a happily ever after in the end. I write to express my creativity that has always been a part of me. I write because I love a good story.

For those of you have read my stories, I hope you’ll stick with me as publishing transforms digitally, and for those who have yet to do so, I hope one day you will.

~Kelly