AnnieMcMahon on Squidoo

I currently live in New Jersey with my husband, our three children, a very independent cat called Tiger, and a Schipperke (skip-per-key) - a little black furry dog with no tail that looks like a bear - called Shadow. I'm originally from Quebec and grew up speaking French.

My job involves proofreading, typing letters, and other non-fiction writing, but my passion is creative writing. I use every spare...

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I currently live in New Jersey with my husband, our three children, a very independent cat called Tiger, and a Schipperke (skip-per-key) - a little black furry dog with no tail that looks like a bear - called Shadow. I'm originally from Quebec and grew up speaking French.

My job involves proofreading, typing letters, and other non-fiction writing, but my passion is creative writing. I use every spare minute I have to write children's novels and short stories, and to help other writers succeed.

My children have been the inspiration behind many of my short stories, over 40 in total. One of my short stories, PARADOXICAL NEIGHBOR, has been published by Nelson Education in a book for 10th graders called NELSON LITERACY 10. My shortest story, SECRET MISSION, has only 97 words. My middle grade novel, MEREDITH MOUNTAIN MIRACLE, is almost ready for publication.

Some of my stories were born in very odd places: at a laundromat, on a park bench, in my car, on a napkin in a restaurant, in bleachers at my daughter's swim meet (where I'm sitting now writing this bio). I write whenever and wherever I can. My advice: Don't wait for the perfect moment to start doing what you love. Start now, where you are, with what you have, and go from there.

I review MG novels on my blog, http://dutchhillnews.blogspot.com. I'm also the moderator of an online critique group offering advice and support through detailed reviews, and mentoring new and published writers.

I'm a member of SCBWI and writing.com.