About Joy

I love to see people inspired. 

I’m elated when a fledgling writer at Lighthouse Writers Workshop or Writers.com takes flight through a workshop prompt. Or when an advanced novelist bursts through a months-long block.  Or when a reader uncovers her own heart through one of my books.

Even when a comedy show audience member laughs at my angst-ridden adolescent poetry.

It jazzes me to see fellow creators awaken at the retreats I lead—people who write in all genres, from novelists to poets to musicians. I love to see their creative projects flourish, as they carve out weekends to relax in mountain hot springs or wander meditative retreat centers.

I’m overjoyed when others unearth their creative muse because I’ve sought my own, writing and publishing in a variety of forms: books, newspaper and magazine articles, advertising copy, television scripts, plays, songs, children’s musicals, interviews, essays, poetry, fiction—and most recently, screenplays.

I love to write. And I love to see other people write, too.

How can we thrive through writing?

For more than 15+ years, I worked as a licensed professional counselor, and many of my clients journaled about personal challenges. I was amazed to see that those same clients often finished therapy…in nearly half the time. Because of them, I was inspired to complete extensive training in bibliotherapy: reading and writing for personal growth and healing.

For my third edition revision of the standard textbook in the field, Biblio/Poetry Therapy: The Interactive Process, I received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association for Poetry Therapy. Although retired from my counseling practice, I continue to serve on the editorial board for The Journal of Poetry Therapy.

I’ve also seen others thrive through my teaching work with Lighthouse’s Hard Times Writing Workshops, our community outreach program for those experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and other life challenges. What began in 2016 at the Denver Public Library has rapidly spread to several other metro libraries.  

Hard Times Workshops transform lives. Other writers can create more. That’s partly why I co-founded The Art of Facilitation: a training course that empowers people to lead better writing workshops, business meetings, book discussions, and life coaching sessions.   

When I’m not writing or teaching, I enjoy trivial pursuits. For one, I like to create earrings. When I first began, my family laughed—because I can’t even shuffle cards.

I’m a lifetime Denver Nuggets fan. I love British television, independent film, thrift store shopping, and Dairy Queen hot fudge sundaes.

I was a childhood patron of the Pioneer Memorial Library in Colby, Kansas, and now live in Denver with my writer husband, Scotty. One year, we spent more money on books than food.