Why am I a writer?

When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a teacher.  I’d line up my stuffed animals - Billy Bear, Boing Boing, Easter Bunny - in front of a board with magnetic letters and numbers and teach them the alphabet and how to count. In high school I wanted to be a tennis player.  I was on the tennis team, and played at our neighborhood tennis club in the summers - and even competed in tournaments. Then in college I thought digging dinosaur bones would be a cool job. Or maybe working at a big time advertising agency. It wasn’t until after college, when I was working at my own small public relations agency that I decided I really wanted to write children’s books. I was so inspired by the magic that happens when reading a book that I wanted to see if my active imagination could create magical moments for kids all over the world. So I started to write, then sent my stories to publishers, and sold my first manuscript, Hippity Hop, Frog on Top, in 1992.  I’ve been writing ever since.

Why I write now.

Birthday - February 7th, a week before Valentine’s Day. That’s why I love the color red and heart shapes.
Favorite birthday cake flavor - carrot cake, at least two layers with real cream cheese frosting spread on thick.
Pet - Jemima, a calico cat
Hobbies: I collect squished pennies and sterling silver snowflakes
Favorite time of day - 4-5 p.m.
Favorite sounds - my husband’s truck pulling in the driveway, and laughter
Animal that makes me smile - bunnies
Favorite wild animal - wolf
Favorite thinking spot - in the mountains
Favorite cookie - oatmeal with raisins, walnuts and vanilla chips (SEE RECIPE BELOW)

Recipe for Tasha’s Triple Treat Oatmeal Cookies
Storytelling is a lot like baking - you need basic ingredients to make things work but it’s better when you add your own special flavorings. I made this recipe up by adding extra goodies to a basic oatmeal cookie recipe. I added coconut for my husband, and vanilla chips for me.  The combination is delicious! Click here for a 3x5 recipe index card (.pdf).