Born May 18th, 1952, Manhattan, NYC. Raised (1952-1971) in Roosevelt (L.I.), NY, in the New York City suburbs. Attended high school at Roosevelt Senior High, graduated 1970: attended college at Dowling College (Oakdale NY), studying astronomy, astrophysics (1970-71); then attended Pilgrim State Hospital School of Nursing, Brentwood NY (1971-74). Graduated and passed State Boards 1974 as registered nurse. Practiced as staff psychiatric nurse (one-to-one therapy) at Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic of New York Hospital/ Cornell Medical Center, NYC, 1974-76. Relocated to California as writer's assistant, 1976-78. First novel sale, 1977: first screen sale, 1979. Began working full time as freelance novelist and screenwriter in 1980. Relocated to Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, in 1981, and to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1983. Married Northern Irish writer Peter Morwood in 1987: relocated to Ireland in 1988.