I've known since I was eight years old that I wanted to write books for a living.  I inherited the storytelling gene from my father, who used to tell me stories about a chocolate milk drinking bear named 'Oliver.'

I'd love to be a good dancer, but I have two of the leftest feet you ever heard of.  (Do not make the mistake of dancing with me, unless you have excellent medical coverage.)

I've been to nearly every country in Asia, and a few in Africa, but I've never been to Europe.

I love the sound of rain on a tin roof.

I have a loud and obnoxious laugh that sometimes gets the better of me.

I like the crust better than the rest of the pizza.

I like wine, but I've never bothered to learn about it.

I love old movies.

I snore.  (LOUDLY!)

I drink foo-foo coffee.

I can cook about five truly excellent dishes, but I'm otherwise fairly helpless in the kitchen.

I love to wash dishes -- partly because it takes me back to my childhood, and partly because small motions under hot water are good therapy for my right hand (which I shattered a few years ago).

I'm a very good swimmer, a fair carpenter, a skilled mechanic, and a lousy mason.

I'm 5'7" tall, but I'm studying hard, and hope to be taller next year.

I have a black thumb (the opposite of a green thumb).  If I attempt to water, feed, fertilize, or otherwise assist a flower or shrub, it will turn brown and die.  Weeds are an exception to this rule.  I can't even kill them with weed killer.

I have three tattoos, two of which I regret, and one of which was an act of love.

I read everything from Dr. Seuss to Harper Lee.

I listen to every kind of music except Gangsta-Rap (R&B/Hip-Hop are fine), and the very heaviest of thrash metal.  My taste in music is so eclectic that I have to work my way through every aisle in the music store.  At the moment, I'm listening to Billie Holiday, Nora Jones, April Wine, Annie Lennox, and Cheap Trick.

I write music, play guitar, and I'm trying to teach myself to paint.

I stink at crossword puzzles because I over-think them, but I love them anyway.

I think sunsets are God's way of seeing if we're paying attention.

I believe that most people are extraordinary, when they're not knocking themselves out to blend into the herd.