After serving in the U.S. Navy for four years, I graduated with highest distinction from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's degree in English. I completed my Master's in English two years later, publishing my thesis in Structuralist Review, a publication of the City University of New York.
For two years, I taught undergraduate English Composition and Literature at KU and later taught Composition and Literature at a community college in Kansas City, Kansas.

I am now a professional writer, having authored three children's books, some 20 screenplays, many articles for a wide variety of publications, and advertising copy for a broad range of industries. This work has given me a deep appreciation of the power of the written word and the importance of writing in every walk of life. I believe the ability to write clearly can give anyone an advantage in a highly competitive job market and in career advancement.

Equally important is an appreciation of what others have written. Reading and thinking about great literature, both fiction and nonfiction, opens minds to ideas that can change lives as well as provide resources for a creative approach to everyday life and work. Helping students discover the rewards of writing and reading well enriches my own experience of the written word.