Even before I could read, I wanted to tell stories. I'd block out a comic strip and draw stories with stick figures. Later, after I started school, I would climb the willow tree in my backyard, where I'd write in my journal and make lists of favorite words. As a teenager, I wrote poetry and my own Nancy Drew mysteries, but I never imagined being an author. I didn't think authors were real people. Instead, I went to college and became a teacher.

Then I married and had three daughters. I read them children's books and I fell in love with the poetic language, the wonderful characters, and the beautiful illustrations. One day, I decided to write my own book about the squirrel who raided our birdfeeder. "Hickory Squirrel" was never published, but I kept on writing, even after I went back to teaching. I took a class on writing for children, joined a writer's group, and went to writing workshops. I wrote, rewrote, and rewrote again.

Finally I had my first piece published in Humpty Dumpty Magazine. It was a recipe for making an elephant for breakfast. (Toast for ears, a banana for a trunk, etc.) Publishing my second piece was a struggle. I revised "The Dream Violin" fourteen times before it appeared in Highlights for Children . Since then I've published countless other stories, articles, and books for children. Seeing my words in print is a thrill, but even if I had never been published, I would still love the process of writing, polishing, and refining until I've told my story just right.

Linda Crotta Brennan is the Award-winning author of Marshmallow Kisses, Flannel Kisses, North Carolina: Rookie Read About Geography, The Black Regiment of the American Revolution, and a contributor to The American Notable Women Series. Her latest book, Women of the Golden State: 25 California Women You Should Know was published in Fall 2009. Women of the Empire State: 25 New York Women You Should Know is due out soon.

Ms. Brennan also writes articles and stories for the educational market, electronic media and magazines including Highlights for Children, Cricket, Smithsonian's Click Magazine, and Ranger Rick.

She is an instructor with the Institute of Children's Literature. She's been a preschool and elementary school teacher, and worked as the Teen Program Coordinator at a public library, where she was part of the RI Teen Book Award Committee. She holds her master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Author's Guild. Ms. Brennan is listed in Something About the Author, vol. 130, published by the Gale Group.

Ms. Brennan grew up in New Jersey, an only child who spent a lot of time in a willow tree. Now she lives in Rhode Island with her husband and a goofy golden retriever named Willow. She has three grown daughters and a terrific three year old grandson.