Lynn McPherson

As a former straight-D student, constantly being called lazy or stupid, was the catalyst that had me dropping out of formal education while in the early stages of high school. Turns out I’m neither! It wasn’t until my 40s that I was diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. But that never hindered my wild imagination. Despite the daily onslaught of thoughts, I found ways to manage, albeit needing a quiet environment to write—unlike the J.K. Rowling's of the world who seem to write effortlessly anywhere. Raising three biological kids and a few kids of the heart, made life chaotic and noisy, hardly ideal for birthing a Harry Potter rival. Armed with a vivid imagination, a wicked sense of humor, and a knack for the vernacular, I held onto the dream of becoming a writer someday, perhaps in my golden years.

I've always lived an adventurous life. Never afraid to try something new, not able to resist a dare, and always one to rise to the challenge of "Don't tell me I can't do it, because I will prove you wrong," much to the chagrin of my family and friends, in my 50s, I embarked on a walk from Canada to Mexico to raise awareness for homelessness. By my 60s, with children grown and grandchildren abound, excuses were running thin. It was time to heed the words of my favorite movie, "Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." So, I took the plunge, embracing the crazy and pluck it demanded.

Yet, amidst this journey, silence remained elusive, courtesy of my beloved Peek-a-poo, Cujo whose bark belied his namesake. His penchant for fleeing at the sight of a falling leaf hardly suited my need for tranquility. Still, I knew I'd return to my writing, armed with noise-blocking headphones and determination. My writing space reflects my passion, cluttered with writing paraphernalia, totems, and photos of imagined characters. Among the chaos lie volumes of How To’s, How Not To's, and for the psychopath in me, I have books on forensics, Poisons, How to Dispose of Bodies, and the Murder Weapon of the Month Club, all testaments to my eclectic interests.

I began my writing journey with absolute rubbish, convincing myself of its brilliance. Over time, it evolved, garnering nine awards and yielding twelve screenplays and over 500 pages of memoir. Though my eclectic style might raise eyebrows, my love for true stories shines through. Whether it's comedy, thriller, drama, or true crime, more than half of what I pen is steeped in reality. My aim? To evoke laughter, tears, shivers, or simply contentment, regardless of the genre.