Brief Author Bio:

I started telling stories when I was three and discovered I got into less trouble when I provided creative explanations for the chaos that swirled around me. I now live in a comfortably messy house on Chicago’s North Shore. Contributing to the current chaos are my incredibly patient husband, the youngest of my four children, and his ditzy dog. When my husband can pry me away from my writing, we run a coffee business together, Coffee Fresh, Inc., which you can visit at www.coffeebytheroast.com.

Last year was my second NanoWriMo adventure. For the second year in a row, I didn't make it to 50,000 words, but I did end up with a publishable novella. My 2007 Nanowrimo effort, "Magic Kisses," is currently available in MAGICAL KISSES, a Valentine's Day anthology from the Jewels of the Quill. My 2008 Nanowrimo story, "The Topaz Guard," will be coming out in March. Anyone interested can learn more about the stories on my website, www.masek.net.

This year, I'm trying again to reach the magic 50,000 word mark and in any case, hope to end the month of November with a complete first draft. I can't wait for us all to get writing!