Charline (l) & Joy Cowley aka Mrs. Wishy Washy

I'm a 'desert rat' who grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and fondly remembers playing with horned lizards in my backyard. At age six, I chose teaching as a career because I idolized my first grade teacher. In 1st grade I won a yo-yo contest, and in the 8th grade a smile contest. I've never stopped smiling. After graduating from Arizona State University with a BA in Elementary Education, I taught kindergarten through third grade in the desert locales of Phoenix, Saudi Arabia and Tucson.

I'm the proud mother of two adult daughters. I've traveled in 15 countries, lived in 19 homes in 5 states (AZ, CA, NM, NY, WI) and now live in Tucson, AZ. A kid at heart, I collect giraffes and love to stay up late and sleep late, blow bubbles, laugh, walk, read, write and savor dark chocolate. 

Since beginning my new career as a children's author, I've written stories and poems for children of all ages--everything from board books to a historical novel. My writing has appeared in Highlights for Children, Pockets and My Friend among others. Click the publishing credits tab for the details.

If you'd like to know more, an in-depth interview can be found at Imagiverse.org.

LITERARY TRAINING:

U of A course, Writing for Children, taught by award-winning children's author Juanita Havill, 2000

SCBWI member--2000-present  

Member of three critique groups with talented children's authors: Cheryl Bardoe, Tracey Cox,  Lynn Drinkall, Judy Dyl, Juanita Havill, Monica Hay-Cook, Lara Hosselton, Sharon Landeen, Joelle McClure, Carol Martin, Lori Miescke, Marianne Mitchell, Lori Mortensen, Mona Pease, Marge Pellegrino, Ashley Nissler, Jane Rubicini, Buffy Silverman, and Jennifer Ward, 2001-present

Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua, NY--2003. 

SSA Wrangling with Writing Conferences--2003, 2004, 2005   

Pima Writer's Workshop--2003, 2004, 2006, 2007

Society of Southwestern Authors member--2005-2007