I was born to an Alaskan dog mushing family who supported their canine habit with journalism and teaching.  Because of this, I was able to experience the wonder and responsibility of being in the wilderness along with the great gift of being allowed to share it with others.

Having been raised in an Athabascan region of the state, I was exposed early to the intricacies of cultural differences.  This experience has given me a unique view of life, which I believe adds the spice to my writing that others find appealing.  I love to search out the dignity that I believe can be found in each and every individual, from every walk of life, and try to share that dignity and inner truth with the world.  Our world has grown too small to foster ignorance and intolerance for other cultures.

After having my daughter at age 15, and discovering the hard way how the adult world works, I set high goals for myself to better the lives of myself and my child.  A month after turning 17, and six months before I was scheduled to graduate high school, I enrolled in the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.  I studied many subjects before settling on Natural Resource Management with a specialization in Forestry.  While I was not able to afford to continue after completing my junior year, I still treasure the education I received and look forward to the time when I can return.

I fell in love in college, to a man named Paul Stossel.  Due to the turbulence that comes with young people discovering themselves, we’ve had some rocky times, and I can now say with pride that I’ve been married twice - to the same man.  It’s fun having two anniversaries.

I have three children.  Geneva, born July 11, 89, Riyan, born August 8, 95, and our newest edition, Dominic, born September 18, 2001.  I’m hopelessly proud of them, and still consider my most important role in the world that of being a quality parent.  According to my daughter’s friends, I am both a “cool mom” and “really strict”.  I take this to mean I’m doing my job well.

I am an avid gardener and animal lover, and am known for my habit of taking in the lost souls of both the animal and plant world.  It’s more challenging and more work, but I enjoy working with the ones who need care the most.  Currently, I care for a blind and deaf Australian Sheppard named Ray, two geriatric cats, a turtle, and a tiny garden with much-neglected cherry trees, roses, rhubarb, and a variety of herbiferous perennials.

I live in the beautiful town of Haines, Alaska - surrounded by grand mountains, the ocean, extensive wildlife (including very healthy populations of Bald Eagles and Grizzly Bears), and natural flora that causes a botanical nut like myself pure bliss.  The forests here are reminiscent of Mirkwood and Fangorn.

I spend my days juggling my writing with working on the special projects I take on for the community.  I love being able to volunteer in whatever capacity I’m most useful, and often have to remind myself that I can’t do it all.  At the end of the day, after rushing to meet deadlines, explaining fractions, making many long phone calls, and working on whatever freelance assignments I have, nothing gives me greater pleasure that to sit down at the computer and write stories.