a Writer who leans into…well, writing!

…what can I write for You? 

Preschool Education

I’m a veteran master teacher. PK – 8th grade. Just because I don’t mention the year I started teaching, suffice it to say I’ve taught a few generations and thousands of kids, winning some awards along the way. Currently, my passion project is getting universal preschool into place for US children. Frankly, I was shocked that one US Senator could derail that for our youngest generation. But we’re not giving up! Since the demands of kindergarten have increased for small children, it’s very important they arrive at school ready for the task. Teachers wish they had contact with parents of very young children before they arrive for formal school. Parents need to know what to be doing in those first five years to ensure success in school. That’s why I’ve created a program for them, and developed other helpful resources. through my virtual workshop, “Workshops For Moms.” I’m reassuring the digitally-connected that it’s easy and normal to prepare for PK and K without screens. Head over to the Preschool tab. You’ll find my ebook “How to Get Ready for Preschool and Kindergarten,” you can book me as an event speaker, and sign up for Workshops for Moms.

Art Education and Creativity

I love to talk and write about this arena where I devoted 30+ years. Creativity in the workplace, child development, elementary kids – all A+ topics. Recognition as a California Elementary Art Teacher of the Year, and for designing a California Exemplary Art Program, earned me an invitation to the team that wrote the new California State Art Standards for the public schools. It’s shocking after all these decades that we still don’t have universal art access in elementary schools. It goes without saying that I support funding efforts and legislation to provide this. I love giving Teacher Workshops!

 Entertainment

 Like many writers living in L.A., I’ve got TV pilots and movie scripts to pitch. I graduated from the two-year screenwriting program of the venerable L.A. institution,     Writer’s Bootcamp. When I was teaching in Texas, I flew out to spend a summer at the UCLA Writer’s Program. I’ve learned from some excellent teachers like Steve   Kaplan, Erik Bork, and Mitch German.  I’ve taken TV Scriptwriting from Screenwriter U, Ellen Sandler, Corey Mandel, and Jen Grisanti. Screenwriting is like writing   poetry — a very spare, elegant, specific format that feels quite the opposite of me some days. 

 My entertainment content is featured at CreativeFuelProductions.com. I produced and wrote an award-winning radio show on public radio called “Making the   Grade,” so I like doing things in the background, too. My Video Script-Writing Certification is from American Writers and Illustrators (AWAI). I am also a member of   AWAI’s Circle of Success and the Professional Writer’s Alliance.

 Gardening

 That “garden” I mentioned on the Home page? My trials and tribulations having to deal with new yards in various climates and soils put my theories to the test.   Doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a brown thumb, get The Pitiful Gardener’s Handbook. It’s a light-hearted, practical guide co-authored with my garden mentor, Connie Eden. This book celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019. The copies offered through my website are slightly damaged, so slightly discounted! The printer either packed them when the covers weren’t quite dry, or the storage was too hot. At any rate, these can’t be sold on Amazon because the covers stuck a bit to each other. It didn’t alter the content. You can see a comparison. Kind of like organic fruit — the outside may be slightly imperfect, but the goodness is still there. Get your paperback edition here.

 Website Content for Business

 If you’re in L.A. for a visit or live here, you’ll find everything on my website about the San Fernando Valley, L.A.’s big backyard. My homage to my current home town   and local businesses is at LoveSanFernandoValley.com (due to my mom’s long illness I had to stop writing the monthly column for a few years, but will resume   soon; there’s plenty of information that remains the same like golf course locations, etc.) 

 I wrote the original content and took all the photos for L.A.’s largest animal business, my daughter’s former business: reptacularanimals.com

I wrote the content for this boutique entertainment booking agency: PartyAloha.com

 In addition to writing the website content, I also interviewed the owner to create the eBooks offered on her website, and write the blog: sororitymom.com