I was born in Salina Kansas but grew up mostly in El Paso Texas. Because I was in band, I always missed the bus which forced military style marches across the desert. As I traversed what was pretty rugged terrain with books and saxophone, I kept my mind busy anyway I could. This was the genesis of the idea that became the Wasp Chronicles. And in fact, the beginning of Book I - The Wasp's Nest, is not so far from the desert hikes that I used to do to get home.