I have been writing since I was a kid back in the 60's at St. Catherine's Elementary School in Pelham, NY. In the 8th grade I sent a "Letter to the Editor" of a magazine called Pro Quarterback, and it was published. What a thrill! (And yes, I still have the magazine.) In high school I tried to write my first novel, based on the exploits of my high school football team. Boy, was it horrible. But it was a start. Under the tutelage of the Christian Brothers at Iona College, I kept on writing as an English major, receiving my BA in '78. My MA would follow in '83. Also while at Iona, I was a member of the football team as a halfback, kick returner and placekicker. My senior year we were undefeated and are now the members of the Iona College Gaels Sports Hall of Fame, for which I will be eternally proud.
College produced a second novel attempt, which was later worked on as I embarked on a teacher and coaching career that has led me to five schools (the last 12 years in Westport, CT) and experience instructing every grade from 7-12. Along the way my students and I have been fortunate to win awards, both regional and national. There is nothing more exciting than the look of pride on my kids' faces when the learn they have won a prestigious contest in the areas of fiction or poetry.
In the last ten years, besides my regular position as the "Stadia Collector" columnist for Sports Collector's Digest, I've been working on a Baseball novel (at first, under the guidance of my friend, the late Robert Creamer, author of The Babe and other great biographies) and my T.J. Jackson YA mystery novels. So you see, the passion that began in the 8th grade with that "Letter to the Editor" has never died. I hope I've passed it on to my many students of the years, as well as my daughter Caroline, a film screenwriter/ director. If T.J. ever makes it to the silver screen, you can bet Carrie will be heading the project!
College produced a second novel attempt, which was later worked on as I embarked on a teacher and coaching career that has led me to five schools (the last 12 years in Westport, CT) and experience instructing every grade from 7-12. Along the way my students and I have been fortunate to win awards, both regional and national. There is nothing more exciting than the look of pride on my kids' faces when the learn they have won a prestigious contest in the areas of fiction or poetry.
In the last ten years, besides my regular position as the "Stadia Collector" columnist for Sports Collector's Digest, I've been working on a Baseball novel (at first, under the guidance of my friend, the late Robert Creamer, author of The Babe and other great biographies) and my T.J. Jackson YA mystery novels. So you see, the passion that began in the 8th grade with that "Letter to the Editor" has never died. I hope I've passed it on to my many students of the years, as well as my daughter Caroline, a film screenwriter/ director. If T.J. ever makes it to the silver screen, you can bet Carrie will be heading the project!