Look and Listen

Biography

I am a parent of three wonderful kids, all under the age of five. When my wife and I started reading to them all of the exciting tales from my youth made me realize how much I enjoyed children’s books and the wonderful fantasy that they create. I have finished two manuscripts at this time and am working on the labor-intensive task of excising my grown-up writing. I am exploring the mystifying world of publishing and hope that I can create a bit of magic for younger readers. As a practicing attorney in Northern California, I have spent my career writing and realized that I have more satisfaction in reading my stories to my children than some of the largest briefs to a court. My life is filled with plenty of events that have shaped who I am and why I enjoy, from growing up in a completely normal household, to law school, three moves across the country for work, the explosive growth of my family, and taking over a year off to be at home with my kids.

Inspiration

As I continue to grow as a reader and consumer of children’s books I have found influence from both my youth as well as many authors I did not know before. Dr. Seuss, of course, for the whimsy and fantastic worlds is a primary influence. I read every book of his as a kid, at least twice. His rhyming and cadence helped me understand, as an adult, how to create the crescendos, climaxes, and morals, important to any child to whom you are reading. Michael Rosen for his “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”, a story I never recalled reading before I had my own children, is another influence. Babette Cole and “Winni Allfours” is another new book as I never read it as a child but my children and I love the magic and possibilities. Non-children’s authors who I enjoy include Douglas Coupland. I had to read “Generation X” as part of coursework in college and have devoured everything he has put out since. His precise writing and the mystic-like events, such as “Miss Wyoming” and “All Families are Psychotic” contain that unique, “I can almost see that happening” factor which takes the bland to unique. E. Annie Proulx, John Grogan, Wallace Stegner, are just some of the other writers who have reminded me that reading can be a satisfying experience, something that is often lost when your job consists of reading and writing as a professional. Finally, professional inspirations include, Judges Easterbrook and Posner. These jurists are amazing writers who have shown me that concise, energetic, and even humorous writing can be found in the law.