Yes, I live on the Outer Banks, and no, it's nothing like the series on Netflix. Once you accept it's filmed 450 miles south of our sandbars, (think Charleston) you learn to embrace the story. However, it doesn't stop to the onslaught of tourists that show up searching for pogues, and ferries to Chapel Hill.
You probably didn't drop on my about me page to read about OBX {however, you can read some articles I wrote about the show & the islands!} but now you know that my professional moniker is geographically accurate and I do live, read, and write from the edge of North Carolina.
A car -- not a ferry -- brought my husband and I to the coast. After studying Comparative Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill, I worked in a dog biscuit bakery right between the Atlantic Ocean and Jockey's Ridge. As one does with a Comparative Literature degree, yes? Much to my dog's dismay, I traded in biscuits for books, and earned a Masters in Library Science from East Carolina University. Serving in an elementary library, I was able to live out my calling as a steward of stories for young readers, and curator of worldly experiences through tech & texts. Eight years later, I switched gears and am currently working as a district-level librarian and educator-on-loan to the NC Department of Public Instruction, where I have both regional and statewide impact coaching school librarians.
Reading and talking about books brings me joy, but so too does writing them. Being so immersed in the book world, attending conferences like ALA, Book Expo America, and YALLFest, inspired me to take my own writing more seriously.
Querying takes a whole lot of courage and a leap of faith. I took my first shot at it in 2015. Despite a few promising requests and positive feedback, I ultimately decided to shelve that first manuscript and commit to learning more about the craft and business of writing.
Drafting a new manuscript gave me the opportunity to join a writing group, attend classes and workshops with professional writers, and a network of published and independent storytellers to help me grow.
I am currently seeking representation for my Young Adult, Sports/Historical fiction story set against the Troubles of Northern Ireland. It's Netflix's Derry Girls meets Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez, and was inspired by my initial visit in 1997, and subsequent visits in 2018 and 2019. Along with interviewing locals, I conducted research at golf courses and libraries across the country.
You probably didn't drop on my about me page to read about OBX {however, you can read some articles I wrote about the show & the islands!} but now you know that my professional moniker is geographically accurate and I do live, read, and write from the edge of North Carolina.
A car -- not a ferry -- brought my husband and I to the coast. After studying Comparative Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill, I worked in a dog biscuit bakery right between the Atlantic Ocean and Jockey's Ridge. As one does with a Comparative Literature degree, yes? Much to my dog's dismay, I traded in biscuits for books, and earned a Masters in Library Science from East Carolina University. Serving in an elementary library, I was able to live out my calling as a steward of stories for young readers, and curator of worldly experiences through tech & texts. Eight years later, I switched gears and am currently working as a district-level librarian and educator-on-loan to the NC Department of Public Instruction, where I have both regional and statewide impact coaching school librarians.
Reading and talking about books brings me joy, but so too does writing them. Being so immersed in the book world, attending conferences like ALA, Book Expo America, and YALLFest, inspired me to take my own writing more seriously.
Querying takes a whole lot of courage and a leap of faith. I took my first shot at it in 2015. Despite a few promising requests and positive feedback, I ultimately decided to shelve that first manuscript and commit to learning more about the craft and business of writing.
Drafting a new manuscript gave me the opportunity to join a writing group, attend classes and workshops with professional writers, and a network of published and independent storytellers to help me grow.
I am currently seeking representation for my Young Adult, Sports/Historical fiction story set against the Troubles of Northern Ireland. It's Netflix's Derry Girls meets Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez, and was inspired by my initial visit in 1997, and subsequent visits in 2018 and 2019. Along with interviewing locals, I conducted research at golf courses and libraries across the country.