Who is Heather?
Growing up, I was an avid (rabid?) reader. I am a natural speed reader, regularly clocked at about 1200 wpm (I read Harry Potter 5 in just under three hours), and always have several books on the go and many more in e-book form on my Palm handheld.
I have always made up stories in my head, but never really thought I would be a writer. Instead, I intended to be a high school music teacher. I was sidetracked by my enjoyment of my psychology courses in university, and ended up with a psychology degree with a concentration in computer science.
This took me to a major Canadian bank as a software developer. I stayed there for just over three years, and then went back to school to become an elementary school teacher. After four years of fun teaching elementary school computer science, I took up the National Novel Writing Month challenge and attempted to write a novel in a month.
I succeeded, and the first draft of "Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo" was the result. I realized I love writing. I left teaching, and I haven't looked back since!
As well as my novels, I write articles on Palm-based handhelds and related software for Computing Unplugged, where I was honored to be named a Contributing Editor. I also write custom mystery games, and have done several editing projects for Holly Lisle and for Paul Lima.
In my non-writing time, I run, crochet, take care of my salt-water aquarium and my cat, and play clarinet. Generally not all at once. In the picture, I am wearing a sweater I crocheted and holding the finishers' medal I received at my second half marathon, May 13/08.