Daddy and Jewell Maxine

This photograph of my grandma and her father has shaped the way I write the characters of Maxine and Daddy more than anything else. Notice the rough work gloves compared to the tenderness of the way he’s holding her. I tried to capture this contrast in the way these two relate to one another.

And what about my great-grandma ("Momma" in the stories)? What compelled her to hand the baby to her husband, who is clearly in the middle of work, and take a picture at this particular time? After all, it wasn’t as simple as pulling an iPhone out of her back pocket. What might have been happening just before and just after the picture was taken?

New Adventure

I spent 7 years teaching in elementary schools, 6 years preparing undergraduates to teach, and 4 years as an instructional coach. Now, for the first time in 34 years, I don’t have my own first day of school marked on the calendar. 

This year, I’m following a dream I’ve had since I was little. I’ve been writing fiction, publishing short stories and working on my first middle grade historical fiction novel. 

As this new school year begins, I’m committed to sharing the joy of writing with you!

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Keep in Touch

Leaving both of our families in Texas was not easy. Still, when Grandma was nearing the end of her life on earth, my mom called my cell phone, I got online to buy plane tickets, and we took two flights in four hours to get back home. It wasn't so easy for my great-great grandma who moved from Oklahoma to New Mexico in 1907. News traveled slowly and goodbyes might be forever. Remember to keep in touch.

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I'm from West Texas.

As I meet people in Nashville, a common question I answer is "Where did you move here from?" I started out saying Texas. Nine out of ten times, the response I got was "Oh, I have a ____ (friend, aunt, cousin) who lives in Dallas. We love it there!" Well, I'm not from that part of Texas. I'm from the plains, the desert, mesquite, and prickly pears. I'm from West Texas. I don't know what I'd write about if I weren't.

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