I was born and raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. I became involved in the theatre at a young age being surrounded by singers, dancers, writers and actors in my family. My first memories of writing began with my grandfather. I loved the visits when he’d take out the massive tablet of paper and tin cup full of pencils and pens. I knew I was in for the adventure of my life.

For years I expressed my storytelling obsession through acting and writing screenplays (which I still do). My dramatic feature, Harbor, was a semi-finalist in the Scriptapalooza contest and International Screenplay Awards. Three of my one-act plays: Seeing Me, Guilty and Feckless were produced at critically acclaimed Theatre Tribe in North Hollywood, California, as part of their playwright festival in 2004. And I was introduced to the wonderful world of children’s literature when working at Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena, California. I found a whole new avenue to explore.

I am a resident writer and actor at Theatre Tribe, North Hollywood, California. I am a producer, writer and actor at Bananaseat Films. Our first feature, All Alone, will be in film festivals in 2011. A short I wrote and acted in, Finding the Words, was produced by Seven Birds Productions and will also be in film festivals in 2011. I would be nowhere without my writing groups, you know who you are… And I am proud to be a part of The New Hollywood, a women’s goal group that supports each other to achieve our personal and professional goals and we give back to the community as well.

My picture books are now available on www.betherebedtimestories.com. I am so happy to be a part of this brilliant new concept of connecting people through stories on the internet. I am a regular contributor to Shaking Like a Mountain, an online literature about music magazine, and www.sahmmy.com, a hilarious stay at home mom’s (and dad’s) comedy blog.

I am working on my first young adult science fiction novel, Abel (What?? Science fiction? Can’t help it. The idea fell into my head). My full-length play, De.fi.ni.tion, is in pre-production at Theatre Tribe and I’m starting to develop my regular column on Sahmmy, Mother-Naked, into a television series.

I know I’m meant to write because if I don’t do it everyday I feel a compulsion to rip my eyebrows out. I need to read books like I need air. Music is my daily vitamin. I never quite left behind the photography phase all girls go through and drag my Holga everywhere I go. List making is my obsession. I love pizza and chocolate cookies (but only if they are fresh out of the oven). Be careful if you are around me, I write what I know. And I find endless inspiration from my daughters that simultaneously fill me with intense amounts of love and frustration at the same.

What’s with the logo Beth?

It’s something my three-year-old daughter drew one day. It was a bad day for both of us or at least I thought it should have been for her. We got some bad news. But she, in her wonderful innocence, carried on without a care in the world and drew me that picture. She actually draws that face a lot (a little weird, but hey it’s my daughter). It’s a great reminder for me to let the creativity flow, open up to that childlike wonder and remember that no matter what’s going on what I always have an artistic outlet.