When I’m writing, I’m focused on documenting the scene right behind my eyes. I want the reader to “see” what I see. When I’m rehabbing a house, which I often am, I want to make it the best it can be for the future buyer. Writing and rehabbing are very much the same creative process.

I started writing for a local newspaper as a stringer, late at night after I put my kids to bed. I moved inside the newspaper’s office after a while, then went on to work as an editor for a book publisher. I helped co-found a trade magazine for the newly emerging craft brewing industry, becoming its editor-in-chief. Often, I took extended leave to travel on assignment into Central America with a photographer to write about the area’s civil conflicts. When that settled down, I began restoring houses, townhouses and condos, as I continue to do.

Funny how you become a walking, talking, thinking, doing encyclopedia of your experience — covering your baby’s ears when it’s windy; back-rolling sprayed paint for the best finish; and limiting the adverbs in a sentence for stronger writing. But that’s life. It’s an interesting experience to step back and look at yours to write your “About Us.”

This photograph of me working on installing new windows in a house isn’t particularly flattering — strong sun, no make-up or combed hair. But I like it because it shows the joy in being creative. I happily work on a house. I happily work on writing a book. That’s all one could want.

The photo of the mountain peak was taken from the back yard.