Born and raised in Montana, I have spent most of my life in colloquially known "Big Sky Country." Writing since elementary school, I received lots of encouragement from teachers throughout high school, but when I finally did get to college in my mid-twenties, I didn’t consider majoring in journalism. Rather, I received my B.A. in English Literature. I obtained my teaching certificate, but then couldn't land a job. Changing course, I was lucky to find a second passion and employment in the jewelry industry where I worked as a designer and goldsmith for twenty years.