've had three dreams since I was a kid: to be a singer, to be a teacher, and to be a writer. You won't see me on American Idol any time soon, but the other two have, miraculously, come true. 

Born and raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois, I started writing stories in the first grade and just never stopped. When it came to higher education, however, I went with the safe choice of an education major, which I pursued at the University of Illinois. Upon my 1999 graduation, I took a job that had nothing to do with writing or teaching—administration with the Axis ministry at Willow Creek Community Church—then moved a year later to California. 

It was there that I began teaching and writing seriously. Shortly after relocating I began writing “Worlds Collide,” and in 2002 signed a two-book contract with Waterbrook Press, an imprint of Random House. I left teaching after my third year in order to pursue writing full-time, and saw that career launch with the release of my first novel in March of 2005. My second novel, “Violette Between,” will be released in may 2006, and my hope is that a new book will follow every year from now on. 

Now if I could just get myself a record deal… 

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