When I was a little kid growing up in Iowa, I didn't know that just anyone could pick up a pencil and write stories. I thought you had to have permission, or maybe someone important had to designate you as an official writer. I tried to content myself with copying dialogue from my favorite books, but it wasn't too exciting. Imagine my exhilaration when I discovered that anybody could write anything they wanted. I haven't stopped writing since.

I live in Vermont now, in a log cabin on a dirt road. I've published short stories, essays and articles as well as books. Given that I grew up landlocked, it's odd that my first published novel takes place on the coast--it must be the Norwegian in me.

Often people are surprised to learn that my professional training is in computer science, but I think writing and programming have a lot in common. They are both completely entrancing endeavors that require systematic thought, creativity and perseverance. The intricacies of code and plot are equally mesmerizing, frustrating, and time-consuming. In addition to being a writer and a programmer, I've detassled corn (manually!), helped run field trips to Alaska and taught at the New England Young Writer's Conference.