I have played with words since toddler-hood. When I picked up a pencil, it was a toss-up: Do I draw a horse or do I write The Great American Novel? Oh, my! Was I prolific! Reams of pencil-scrawled loose-leaf paper!

I have played with words since toddler-hood. When I picked up a pencil, it was a toss-up: Do I draw a horse or do I write The Great American Novel? Oh, my! Was I prolific! Reams of pencil-scrawled loose-leaf paper!

My very first "novels" were heavily plagiarized from my favorite horse stories. (Since then, my work has improved in quality and originality!) I have published two novels (contemporary, literary). I'm now at work on a historical novel set in biblical Jerusalem, and on a nonfiction book assessing services for first-responder families in crisis. Another regular writing activity is my newsletter, Natterings & Noodlings, a no-politics zone in which I explore topics that pique my interest, generally with a good amount of humor.

Upon retiring from the 9-to-5 world in 2021, I launched Brass Castle Arts full-time, providing editing services. Two clients are writing books to promote their businesses. I have edited memoirs, novels, legal briefs, website content, real estate listings, and grant proposals.

Business networking has widened my connections to professionals who share my path - I don't publish books, but I know people who do, and am happy to help a client or a prospect find that ideal fit.

My nose is always buried in a book about the art and craft of writing, which augments my understanding of the written word. Always learning something new. I can feel my very brain cells stretching!

Without question, I believe - I know! - that everyone has at least one story to tell. In addition, no one else has authority over what you write. Every story is unique. I like to help people polish their story - their gem - to make it shine.

My particular passion is the Trooper Black Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in York, Maine. I sit on the board of directors as secretary. We raise funds to help first responder families in crisis, whether from death, long-term injury, permanent disablement, disease, or other critical situations. In our first two active years (2023-2024), we raised over $166,000, distributed to 15 families in 4 New England states and California. Not bad for an "infant" organization that doesn't even have an office yet!