Jeanette Cottrell

Jeanette has published five books. At Risk of Being a Fool (hardback and paperback) draws heavily on her experience in teaching high-risk students. Her four fantasy novels (two of them for children) draw on other creatures she has known, such as dragons, unicorns, and rascally kids.

Jeanette teaches computer technology at a public high school in Oregon. She's taught for twenty-odd years (VERY odd years!), with computer cables strung around her neck for safe-keeping, and waving spare computer parts for emphasis. The endless energy of teenagers is contagious, fortunately. Also exhausting, but fun.

Her cat, Tammy, can't figure out why Jeanette devotes so much attention to her laptop computer. Fortunately, Tammy can sleep undisturbed on Jeanette's shoulders while she's typing more books. Apart from an occasional tail in the mouth, it works out. It's nice to be loved.

Jeanette's best advice for people who want to write books is to start small, with long, long letters to your sister a couple of times a month, and just keep doing it for twenty years. The thing about letters is that you write about daily events, anecdotes, or what someone said at work. You tell about all your ups and downs, and all that emotion just pours out because you know it's being read by someone who loves you. In those circumstances, it's amazing how easy writing can become!

Jeanette says: "Whatever you may do in your life, I wish you joy and laughter!"