I've always wanted to be a writer. But despite the fact that I knew from a very young age that I wanted to write books for children, I took a very roundabout way to get there. I was a wedding singer for a while. I also worked with animals in a vet's office, and at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Finally, I settled into being an editor and concept creator in children's book publishing, which led me - finally - to being an author. Looking back, all those detours and odd jobs were exactly what I needed, because to be a writer, you have to have something to write about.

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Before I wrote books with my name on the cover, I was a ghostwriter for a world-famous middle-grade mystery series. I wrote my first five novels in that series, and enjoyed every minute of it. I like to think of those books as my "warm-up" to becoming an author.

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When I'm not writing and editing books, you can usually find me at Crazy 88 MMA, training in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Competing at tournaments and being promoted to blue belt in BJJ were some of the proudest moments of my life. Some people see how my teammates and I fight, and they think I'm crazy. I probably am, but I like it that way.

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I live in Frederick, Maryland with my husband, my two daughters, two guinea pigs named Fireball and Olive, and a very old cat named Callie.