"Just the facts, ma'am." (Well, I go by the philosophy that the small things count. So here are tidbits that tell more about me than a "real biography" which would probably be too dull to have to read.)

From: Carson City, NV (born in Carson Tahoe Hospital, went to Gleason, Bray, Bordewich, Carson Junior High, Carson High). My first grade teacher's name was Mrs. Cronenberger and my favorite ever teacher was Mr. Glanzmann (High School algebra and trigonometry). But I went ALL the way to Reno, Nevada (a whole 45 minutes away) to college. (Ha! And you thought I was a homebody. Yes, I moved back in with my mom and dad in my late twenties. But it was to write! Thanks Mom and Dad -- my "capital investors" and "emotional investors" in all this!!).

Favorites:

Treats: Nutella crepes (hate, hate, hate to share them but I'm the mom and have to share which makes me want to stomp and scream but, like I said, I'm the mom and have to share.), peanut M&Ms, ice cream, dark chocolate with sea salt or hot pepper (this, I don't share. I hide away and eat one square at a time), and homemade cinnamon rolls.

Movies: Life is Beautiful, The Lives of Others, The Bourne Identity series, most things "Marvel" and Frank Miller (but my tastes vary depending on the day, so tomorrow, it could be different)

Books: Too many to name, but my top authors include Salinger, Steinbeck, Zusak, Wolfe, Hopkins ... too many!

Memories: Every memory of my childhood includes my sister. So Carrie, in almost every way, is my favorite memory. Specifically, I remember my dad taking us sledding on C-Hill and coming back to have Mom's homemade hot chocolate. We created a "Bootland", a phenomenal snow park, in our neighbor's driveway after he shoveled with our best friend, Andrea. With Andrea, we had the Bamboozles -- a club that collected money by recycling cans then used the money to buy candy. I had a paper route (big geek moment there) and stayed with it for a year to win a bet. And my one shot at summer camp was the most miserable week of my life. I HATED spending the night away from home.

Pastimes: Daydreaming (I'm really good at this and justify it because I'm an author. Right? I don't need to be a fully productive member of society at all times), running, traveling, traveling, traveling (if you haven't noticed from my travel album), chasing shadows with Amelia, dancing with my husband, Cesar, playing with my nieces and going out to coffee with my rock in this world, my sister, Carrie, laughing, laughing, laughing, and trying to figure out safer ways to cross Pereira's streets (drivers here are insane).