When I was in junior high school, we were assigned to write a short story as a class assignment.  I wrote a detective mystery that featured all the students in our class as characters.  The teacher read mine in front of the class, and I ended up writing a sequel just for fun.  That was a memorable event in my life because it was the time I decided I wanted to be a writer.

Many years have passed and I no longer write detective mysteries, but I am still following my passion and writing as much as possible.  I have spent almost a decade working as a part-time freelance writer, and it has been exciting to be a part of many of the great publications and businesses that our area has to offer.  I have found immense joy in being able to engage my local community through the written word.

In addition to journalistic and business writing, I still occasionally write fiction.  I am currently working on my first novel (tenatively titled The Difference Between God and Men), the first draft of which was shortlisted in the 2007 International 3-Day Novel Contest.

I live in Modesto, CA with my beautiful wife, Sarah, and my dog, Gypsy.  More than anything I enjoy traveling, reading, learning, and great conversations over a cup of coffee.

You can learn more about me by being my friend of Facebook, or talking books with me on Shelfari.