Writing

For me, the best stories are deeply moving, with characters so real they could walk off the page, characters who must face difficult, compelling, often heartbreaking situations. I also prefer books that maintain a measure of optimism or humor. Among my favorites are THE BONESETTER’S DAUGHTER by Amy Tan, THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer, MERCY by Jodi Picoult, ROOM by Emma Donoghue, and DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor. I aspire to write stories like those, and I am currently at work on an action-adventure multicultural YA novel. These are my publications & awards so far.

Available for e-readers, smartphones, and computers:

Twenty-Somewhere (ebook)

Winner of the St. Martin’s Press “New Adult” contest

Twenty-Somewhere tells the story of 3 best friends as they navigate life after college. Beautiful and confident Sophie Lin, goody-goody aspiring writer Claudia Bradford, and boy-magnet scientist MJ Alexander are ready to take on the real world — or so they think.

But MJ’s hunky lab supervisor keeps distracting her from her research, and what’s worse, she almost doesn’t care. After years of single-minded focus, MJ may have lost her passion for science, and her sense of self along with it. Meanwhile Claudia’s passion for writing is stronger than ever, but her confidence is drowning in a sea of rejection. Her boyfriend Eli is supposed to be a life preserver; instead he feels like just another wave pulling her under. Last but not least, Sophie decides to swim against the current: she quits her advertising job in pursuit of a more meaningful vocation. Six weeks later, all she has to show for her idealism is a growing stack of unpaid bills.

As their relationships go sour, their careers sputter, and a few too many ethical dilemmas arise, the girls reunite in Paris, desperate for a dose of the one thing they can always count on: each other. But after so much time apart, will that really cure what ails them? Or will their friendship fall apart like everything else in their lives?

Originally written as 40 weekly “webisodes,” Twenty-Somewhere is the fast-paced, heartfelt story of 3 young women learning how to be independent, yet also hold onto each other, in this big, crazy, modern world.

The Eraser (short story)

9-year-old Mikey Griffin is a normal, mischievous boy. When he discovers a magic eraser at the bottom of his cereal box, Mikey gains the power to erase people’s memories. Suddenly he can get away with any prank or shenanigan, but is it really all fun and games? Or does this prize come with a price?