julie kibler

Most common question I was asked while growing up: "Are you a military brat?"

No, but I was a member of a group who moves almost as often as military brats - Preacher's Kids or PKs. My dad was a preacher, a music minister, a campus minister, and for all I know, a snake handler. I always said I was a Special K.

We lived in Kentucky, New Mexico, and finally Colorado when I was in elementary school. We toured Colorado until we landed in Denver, where I attended junior high and high school.

I'd claim Colorado as home, except I left to attend college in Texas, and my mom eventually followed, effectively eliminating the last of my family to live in Colorado and thus, our claim to mile highness.

I've been in Texas since, except for a one-year experiment in Alabama. After more than 20 years, Texas is home.

I used my *highly marketable* bachelor's degree in English and journalism to explore unplanned careers in welfare eligibility (from the state employee side of the desk) and customer service. When I got tired of wondering who I was going to be when I grew up, I obtained a master's degree in library and information science, intending to start my own business as independent information professional.

While attending school full-time, working full-time, and raising three children full-time (all at the same time, thanks), people started asking me to edit and proofread for MONEY. Finally, after all those years, I was doing what I loved and getting paid for it.

Except then, I remembered I loved writing as much ... if not more.

More. Yes.

While I still do occasional freelance editing, proofreading, and research, I took a dive into fiction writing in 2005. I've been swimming in the river since, and in the words of my favorite singer/songwriter, David Wilcox, I plan to stay there -to "run like the river run dry."

I love finally knowing who I am supposed to be in this world. How about you?

My senior picture. Where was the Frizz Ease in 1983?

A recent photo. I like to imagine I don't look that different. :)