I spent the first eleven years of my life in MI (OK, so I didn’t move there until I was two, but I don’t remember my time in Chicago, so I don’t count it). As an only child, my mom was always looking for something to keep me occupied. She enrolled me in tap, jazz, ballet, gymnastics and ice skating lessons. Even though I enjoyed all of the activities, I LOVED ice skating and showed promise, so I moved on to a private coach.

When I was eleven, we moved to CT because of my dad’s job. I still remember holding on to the railing, not wanting to let go. I thought if I could hold on forever, I wouldn’t have to move. It didn’t work. I think this time of my life is when my true passion for writing exploded. I would always tell people I wanted to be a creative writer. Problem was, I had never heard of creative writing as a profession. Two friends and I did write a “newspaper.” We interviewed sources and wrote the stories.

We even published our paper and distributed it to our readers (our very patient and loving parents). When I was thirteen, I moved to Lake Placid, NY to focus more on my skating. That was the end of the newspaper. I lived there for three years, then moved to MA, where I’ve been (pretty much) ever since.

When I was working at a bank, I heard a story on the news that I thought would make a great children’s book. I worked and worked on that story, but it always ended up sounding too much like Make Way For Ducklings with kittens as the main characters. Even though that story didn’t work out, the writing bug was back. By then, I had gone to Graduate school and received my teaching degree. My favorite part of teaching was the books. I had quite the library in my classroom (in fact, those books belong to my two boys now – or so they think). I realized by then that even though there is no such thing as a “creative writer,” I could combine my love for children’s literature with my passion for writing. I’ve been writing kids’ books ever since.

OH! The skating dream faded around age sixteen when I moved to MA. At that point, I had been at it for almost ten years and my heart wasn’t in it anymore. I still miss it sometimes, but I’m very happy with my family and writing career.

 Not enough information? Here are some fun facts:

• My last name is pronounced JOE-gus. It’s Greek.

• The spelling of my first name is after one of my dad’s ex-girlfriends. Yes, I had a VERY understanding mom.

• My favorite books growing up were the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys series and anything by Judy Blume.

• I didn’t go to school from age 13 to 15. I was tutored for one hour a day. The rest of the time, I was skating.

• I skipped eighth grade.

• I love arts & crafts and reading.

• I hate surprises.