About

Well, this about sums it up. (Photo by Elusive Images Photography)

My name is Amber. When I was 11, I sat under a willow tree in Iowa and scrawled some words down in a pink spiral notebook. Inspired by Sara Teasdale, I wanted to write something beautiful and moving. Here's what my 11-year-old self came up with:

As music moves through the willow trees
The music sets my soul at ease
Silently I lay back and rest
Sure that this day is the best.

Oooh, high five, self! Satisfied with that little bit of brilliance, I turned the page and wrote another one:

Wesley Johnson is an obnoxious jerk
Always wearing that stupid smirk
He's a brat
Smells like a rat
Looks can kill, remember that
When you see Wesley Johnson, the obnoxious jerk.

NAILED IT.

And I've been a writer ever since. Thankfully, my skills have improved since then. Mostly. I get paid to write and edit things for The University of Texas at Arlington. Previously I got paid to write and edit things for Delta Delta Delta's executive office. And before that I got paid to edit carefully constructed templates that we emailed to irate and/or pleased customers at Pier 1's executive office. And before THAT, I was a writing tutor in college. Mix in a three-year stint making coffee at Starbucks, and you've got the career thing all sewn up.

I live in Arlington with my husband, who is a math and science teacher, and my two daughters, who are insane and wonderful. We like hiking and nature and somehow my oldest daughter convinced us all to like reptiles.

Writing is still my very favorite thing.