Catching the worm -- and a couple of cups of coffee, usually before the sun is up.
First job?
Drive-in carhop. Yes, like in the movies, minus the roller skates. Worked my way through summer after freshman year of high school, dishing up burgers, root beer floats, and retro charm.
What's a small joy that never fails to bring a smile?
Happiness is homemade, often by hosting an intimate dinner around my table. What's on the menu? Something Mediterranean-inspired with a plot centered around olive oil, oregano and garlic.
Books on your nightstand?
With an e-book reader in hand, I'm riding the high seas with Michael Ondaatje's The Cat's Table, wandering the Adirondacks in Liz Moore's God of the Woods, and reimaging a classic through the thought-provoking James by Percival Everett.
What are you writing, right now?
Working on my first novel. It is literary fiction with strong elements of women's lit. It centers on a young female protagonist's emotional journey, personal transformation, and connection to generations of women in her family. It is set in the Midwest and Italy -- small towns and big cities. I procrastinate by writing Flash fiction/creative nonfiction and poetry.