Writing Life

Education

• MFA, Creative Writing, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

• MA, Theater, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY

• BA, English and Drama, Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, VA

Published Literary Journal and Newspaper Essays

"Time for Wyoming Horses." WREN (February 2024): 22-23.

“In An Envelope.” New York Times. Online (NYtimes.com). Style Section: “Tiny Love Stories”. 04 April 2021.

“Leaning into the Rocks.”  Barnstorm Literary Journal. Nonfiction.  16 November 2018.  Web.

        “Toward Eternity.”  Under the Sun Online.  Issue 3.  June 2015.  Web.

        “Southern Delicacies.”  Weave 10 (2014): 47-52.

“Thou Shalt Have No Strange Gods Before Me.”  Unruly CatholicWomen Writers:  Creative Responses to Catholicism.  Ed. Jeana Rosso, Leigh Eicke, and Ana Kothe.  Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2013. 105-113.

        “Ocean Mother.”  The Emerson Review 39 (2010): 26-29.

        “Losing Ground.”  Lumina IX (2010): 11-19.

        “Dancing Lessons.”  Saw Palm 4 (Spring 2010): 117-125.

        “Horse Lessons.”  trailBLAZER 31:9 (October 2009): 40-42.

        “Three Note Song.”  South Loop Review: Creative Nonfiction + Art 11 (2009): 95-96.

        “This Above All.” Vermont Literary Review 10:1 (Summer/Fall 2008): 59-65.

         “Wyoming Girl.” North American Review 291:6 (Nov/Dec. 2006): 3-7.

Chapter in Book (non-peer reviewed):

“Women’s Center.” Laramie: Gem City of the Plains. Ed. Mary Kay Mason.  Dallas, TX: Curtis Media Corp., 1986. 159-160.

Writing Awards and Honors

•      Honorable Mention, Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award, Wyoming Arts Council, 2023.

• Honorable Mention, Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Writing Award, Wyoming Arts Council, 2022

• Published Essay nominated for Pushcart Prize, 2015

•      Creative Writing in Nonfiction Fellowship, Wyoming Arts Council, 2011

•      Judge, Wyoming Writers, Inc. Creative Nonfiction Competition, 2011

•      Honorable Mention, Frank Anthony Nonfiction Award, New England Writers, 2007

•      Honorable Mention Creative Writing Contest, Wyoming Writers, 1996

Public Readings of my Works

• NAWCHE Making Connections XI – The Welcome Table:  Interfaith Women in Dialogue in Catholic Higher Education, Seattle University, Seattle, WY, 2014

• Wyoming Writing Project for Teachers & Wyowriters, Night Heron Books, Laramie, WY, 2012        

• UW English Department Lecturers Reading, Night Heron, Laramie, WY, 2011

• Equality State Book Festival, Casper, WY, 2010

• Graduate Symposium, University of Wyoming, 2007

Teaching, Creative Writing

Creative Writing-Nonfiction, University of Wyoming

Professional Affiliations

Women Writing the West

Wyoming Writers Inc.

Currently Seeking Publication of Full-Length Manuscript

PLUS SEVEN:  MUSINGS FROM AN EMPTY NEST, a topic-timely work of creative nonfiction compiled of tightly woven essays sequenced to reflect the disjointed nature of memory and the complexities and conflicts of our emotions, was written for empty nesters, and those who will be empty nesters, so that they may examine and make sense of their own conflicting emotions—the pain and joy, the confusion and difficulty in both raising and saying goodbye to their children—and embrace the idea that loving too much is their only major flaw.  I proudly yearn for and celebrate my sons’ eventual independence, but the pain I experience when they fly from the nest sucks my oxygen and shatters my heart.  Throughout the narrative, I turn to confident robins, cairns, holy cards, dogs, and a house renovation for guidance and comfort.  I never offer advice.  I try to provide, with a touch of humor, empathy, and insight, a connection with readers; through our shared experiences, we can at least muse over this question—Why do we grieve our children’s leaving when motherhood was so difficult?