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Background basics
I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and wrote my first poem when I was five. I moved to Florida when I was seven, and then to Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia, when I was 12. I found both moves very hard, although I eventually made good friends in both places. I idolized my older cousin Paula, and when she declared that she was going to be a writer, I decided I wanted to be one, too. My mom stills live in Pennsylvania, and I have a younger brother, who lives in New Jersey with his family. |
Career stuff
After college at Cornell University, I attended film school at Columbia University in New York City. I loved New York but eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a screenwriting career, and I still live here. On and off throughout my time here, I’ve worked as a script reader for film companies. I eventually had success with my writing, winning a screenwriting contest sponsored by the Austin Film Festival, and writing scripts for Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and ABC Family. I’ve always loved fiction, though, especially young adult fiction, and this led to me writing my first novel, Don't Expect Magic.
Some silly personal details
I love to cook and never follow a recipe exactly. My “creativity” has occasionally led to some strange dishes. I eat them anyway, because I hate throwing anything out.
Speaking of not throwing out, I’m an obsessive recycler. I recycle the water I wash veggies in (I use it for my plants) and I've never thrown out a piece of paper, no matter how small, if I can re-use it for scrap. I guess I’m what you would call an eco-eccentric.
I’m also an obsessive volunteer. I’ve been a Big Sister, a mentor to a high school student, visited nursing homes, repainted schools, walked dogs at shelters and rode tandem bikes with the blind (this was amazingly cool if you ever have a chance to do it), among other things. I currently volunteer at my local library branch, reading picture books to grade-schoolers and pre-schoolers. I was a vegetarian starting in high school and am now vegan. I still remember how horrified I was when I found out that hamburgers came from cows. I was around eight or nine years old at the time, which now seems a little late to have had this realization, but I was always a bit naïve for my age...
For some more random stuff, head to the FAQ or My Favorite Things.
After college at Cornell University, I attended film school at Columbia University in New York City. I loved New York but eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a screenwriting career, and I still live here. On and off throughout my time here, I’ve worked as a script reader for film companies. I eventually had success with my writing, winning a screenwriting contest sponsored by the Austin Film Festival, and writing scripts for Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and ABC Family. I’ve always loved fiction, though, especially young adult fiction, and this led to me writing my first novel, Don't Expect Magic.
Some silly personal details
I love to cook and never follow a recipe exactly. My “creativity” has occasionally led to some strange dishes. I eat them anyway, because I hate throwing anything out.
Speaking of not throwing out, I’m an obsessive recycler. I recycle the water I wash veggies in (I use it for my plants) and I've never thrown out a piece of paper, no matter how small, if I can re-use it for scrap. I guess I’m what you would call an eco-eccentric.
I’m also an obsessive volunteer. I’ve been a Big Sister, a mentor to a high school student, visited nursing homes, repainted schools, walked dogs at shelters and rode tandem bikes with the blind (this was amazingly cool if you ever have a chance to do it), among other things. I currently volunteer at my local library branch, reading picture books to grade-schoolers and pre-schoolers. I was a vegetarian starting in high school and am now vegan. I still remember how horrified I was when I found out that hamburgers came from cows. I was around eight or nine years old at the time, which now seems a little late to have had this realization, but I was always a bit naïve for my age...
For some more random stuff, head to the FAQ or My Favorite Things.