Raised in iconoclastic East Tennessee town of Oak Ridge, a merger of nuclear physicists, artsy bohemians and hillbillies. Went to Sarah Lawrence College to pursue an acting career and studied writing with E.L. Doctorow. Came to the West Coast and got a job in the shoe business, a mispelling because I actually wanted to be in show business. Worked briefly as an actress and did comedy improv where I met my future husband, actor/athlete/author/activist Victor Rivers (www.victorrivers.com) before turning to writing. As a co-author and ghostwriter, I've written over 14 books, with Beautiful Jim Key marking my debut as a sole author.