About the Author

Kathy grew up enjoying books, animals, and nature. In school, she spent much of her time writing little stories and poems. "Advancing through the SRA reading material in Kindergarten was one of my favorite things; I felt good about myself, seeing myself advance like that. In high school, we got to read whatever we wanted, and gave oral book reports. It was easier talking about a book you actually enjoyed, instead of something assigned."

After a year of college, she thought she might want to be a teacher, but her father refused to continue paying her way. They agreed a few years later that she could major in English, with a concentration in writing. She graduated from WWU in Bellingham, WA in 1986.

After that, Kathy worked several jobs, but never quite found her niche. Yet, she always struggled to make her parents proud. "I'm just not cut out for the 9-5," she says. "I'd rather write." 

"I'm 60 now, and still find it hard to believe in myself. I was taught to believe I couldn't make money at [writing]. My parents wanted something "better" for me. I appreciate that now, their wanting me to have financial security and making it on my own, but that hasn't happened doing it their way. 

"Now, I'm going to do things my way. I HAVE to! This has been my dream since college. At my age, there's nothing to stop me now... except myself."

Ms. Grahl currently lives in the U.S. with her 2 cats.