About Me
My name is Lynn, and I’m a storyteller.
Stories are so much more than simple entertainment. They are powerful vehicles for changing our perspective, discovering truths, and building resilience.
I know, because reading and writing literally saved my life. I grew up in a dysfunctional family, like many people I know, and reading stories gave me knowledge, while writing gave me a voice.
It also gave me an outlet.
In grade school, I’d gather the neighbor kids around a tree in my front yard and tell stories. I’d make them up as I went, watching closely to see when my audience was fascinated and when their attention wandered. Then I’d drop my characters into a hole, or have a bad guy suddenly appear, and I'd be delighted when their eyes grew wide, and they leaned in.
But the power of storytelling is more than amusement, it can transform lives. I’ve seen it often and I’ve experienced it myself. By sharing stories, we learn we aren't alone, we give each other hope, and we create community.
That's why I write.
My Faith Journey
My faith journey began early.
I attended a Christian school from first through sixth grade. It was at that school where I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and that moment sewed the thread of consistency into the fabric of my journey.
My mother had mental health issues, and she held a tight grip on my world. Without siblings, and after losing my father when I was just three years old, I was entirely at her mercy. But it was during those formative years that I discovered a higher authority—one who loved me unconditionally.
Understanding the true depth of that love took me decades, but the idea of it became a beacon of hope in my life. Though my faith has wavered and wandered over the years, I've always found my way back to God. My rock.
Life has thrown many challenges my way: growing up with a narcissistic mother, navigating the complexities of early marriage, facing bankruptcy, enduring divorce, and grappling with the heartbreaking loss of my former husband to suicide.
Yet, through these trials, I recommitted to my faith.
It often takes moments of profound hopelessness and tragedy to bring us back to God, and I reached a point where I realized that no one else could care for me, comfort me, or guide me the way He could.
After my divorce, I spent a transformative year in Arizona, where I chose to be rebaptized as an adult to commemorate my new life. This experience ignited a passion in me to help others, leading me to become a DivorceCare facilitator and later a Stephen Ministry Leader.
God gave me comfort and hope during my darkest times, and He is the reason I am whole and healthy today.
I wrote a book titled Divorce is Not Destiny, weaving together my experiences, insights from my time as a facilitator, and years of research into a guide for encouragement and healing.
I continue to write about the ways He can change and renew people.
Throughout my life, I have discovered that even in the midst of struggle,
joy is there to be discovered, and my goal is to share the hope
and encouragement I've found with my readers.
My Publishing Background
My first publication was as a photo-journalist for Cycle News, a newspaper covering off-road racing. My subsequent writing and publication was as a stringer for the Billings Gazette, Great Falls Tribune, and a columnist for the Bozeman Chronicle.
I’ve published articles in Big Sky Journal, Midwest Art, Sunset Magazine, Highlights for Children, and others. I’ve won writing awards from the Montana Institute of the Arts, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, served as president for the Montana Authors Coalition, and helped establish the Big Sky Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
I was Book Project Manager for three book compilations, and Editor/Contributing Writer for Yellowstone Country, GoldWest Country, Russell Country and Missouri River Country travel guides.
I’ve been a contributor in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Reboot Your Life, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Divorce and Recovery, The Anthology of Cozy Noir, We’d Rather Be Writing, 21 Days of Christmas. I wrote Camping in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming for Avalon Travel Publishing (first edition), Southwest Montana Auto Adventures for Canyon Publications, Skinny Budget Marketing, Comfort Verses and Divorce is not Destiny for Works by Design Publications.
Find my books on Amazon by going to my Amazon Author page.