Sandi Greene

About

Many writers I know can write thousands of pages of a book, but they absolutely cannot write a short summary of anything! That’s how I feel about writing my bio. But it must be done, so here it goes…

First, I teach 1000+ college students a year in composition, literature, and creative writing. I love it! I get tired of grading essays, yes (you can only read bad writing about abortion so many times before you feel your eyes will pop out), but next to being a writer it’s the best job in the world and my students inspire me.

Secondly, I am a writer, mainly for teens. In the last decade, I wrote more than two dozen articles for magazines, but my current focus is teen novels.

On a personal note, I live in beautiful Northern Arizona. My husband Bob and I have two children, a daughter, Justice, and a son, Micah.

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Education

Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing
2004, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

M.A. in English Studies
2003, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Honors: With Distinction

B.A. in Literature and Writing
2002, Cal State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA

A.A. in General Studies
2000, Yavapai College, Clarkdale, AZ

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Courses Taught

Rio Salado College, 2004-Present
Magazine Article Writing
Creative Writing
English 101
English 102
Literature 241
English 061/081

Grand Canyon University, 2004-Present
Writing Experience II
Writing Experience I
English 101
English 102

University of Phoenix, 2006-Present
GEN300
COM125
COM120
COM140
COM130
COM215
COM150

South University, 2009-Present
ENG099
ENG2001

Yavapai College, 2007-Present
English 101
English 102
Technical Writing

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, 2004-2006
English 101
English 102

Central Arizona College, 2003-2005
English 100
English 101
English 090

Mesa Community College, 2004
English 101

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Articles

“5 Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day Wrapped in Love.” Susie. Reprint. February 2010. http://www.susiemagazine.com/Magazine/Archives/February-2010/5-Ways-to-Spend-Valentine-s-Day-Wrapped-in-Love.aspx

“Does the Honeymoon Have to End?” Focus on the Family: Couples edition. Cover article. September 2008.

“A Long Time to Get Over it.” Brio and Beyond. Focus on the Family. August 2008.

“Avoiding Divorce Parenting Mistakes: One Child’s Perspective.” Focus on the Family: Midlife edition. Focus on the Family. March 2008. Online title: “Caught in the Middle.”

“Trip Tips.” Brio. Focus on the Family. July 2007.

“5 Ways to Get Over a Breakup.” Brio and Beyond. Focus on the Family. May 2007.

“Top Priority: 5 Ways to Effectively Organize and Manage Your Life.” Brio. Focus on the Family. April 2007.

“5 Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day Wrapped in Love.” Brio. Focus on the Family. February 2007.

“Career, Mom, Wife, or All?” Brio and Beyond. Focus on the Family. January 2007.

“So What Are You?” Brio. Focus on the Family. July 2006.

“Sky-diving is for Grandmas, Too.” Focus Over Fifty. Focus on the Family. December 2005. “Kitchen Countertops.” Arizona Foothills Magazine. Spring 2005.

“Insight Into Lives and History: Reading and Writing the Memoir as Genre.” The Old Schoolhouse, Spring 2004 issue.

“Forgiveness After Divorce.” Devo’zine. March 2004 issue.

“Patriotism Comes Home.” AOA Today. AOA Newsletter. Winter 2003.

“The Problem of Isolation.” Brio. Focus on the Family. June 2003.

“Atheism’s Dream World.” Boundless. Focus on the Family. April 2, 2003. A portion of this article appeared in the Washington Times culture briefs, April 3, 2003.

“When Your Parents Divorce…And You’re an Adult.” Brio. Focus on the Family. January 2003.

“The Reason for the Season: 15 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Family’s Hearts.” Kingdom Under the Sea Parent’s Guide. 2003 Alpha Omega Publications.

“Patriotism Comes Home.” Boundless. Focus on the Family. September 5, 2002.

“When Your Parents Divorce.” Boundless. Focus on the Family. February 28, 2002.

“Katie’s Petals.” Jewel Among Jewels. Jewel Among Jewels Adoption Network. Winter 2002.

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 Fun Facts

Favorite food: (1) Avocados–yep, I love them. Will cut them in half and eat them with a spoon. (2) Mexican food–I can eat it everyday, especially Baja Fresh and Chipotle. (3) Coffee–one word: addicted.

Where I get most of my writing ideas: From when I was in high school. My life was about drama, and most of that drama centered on boys.

Biggest influences on my life: My parents–my dad makes me laugh and my mom is my biggest supporter. My kids who make me want to be a better person. God, of course. Everyone always says that, but it’s true.

Favorite books: I love romance, suspense, and serious YA. My favorite authors are Nicholas Sparks, Harlan Coban, and Sarah Dessen. I also love classics such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Jane Austen. I have been most influenced in my life and my writing by “Tuesdays with Morrie” (Mitch Albom), “13 Reasons Why” (Jay Asher), “Just Listen” (Sarah Dessen), “Speak” (Laurie Halse Anderson), “Twilight” (Stephenie Meyer), “The Notebook” (Nicholas Sparks).

Favorite movies: I have so many…like books, I love suspense, romance, and comedy. Some favorites are: “Back to the Future,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “Fever Pitch,” “Meet the Parents,” “Christmas Vacation,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”

Favorite TV shows: Present: American Idol, Heroes, Lost, Friday Night Lights, Castle. Past: Friends, 90210, Saved by the Bell, Dawson’s Creek, Seinfeld, Home Improvement, Everwood.

Favorite music: I love music! My iPod is often on. My favorites right now are: Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Mandy Moore, Rascal Flatts.

Favorite life moments: Having my children.

Secret shame: I hate cooking. I mean, really, really hate it with a passion. I’ve tried over the years to spread my wings and…cook, but I just despise it.

Most daring adventure: I went sky-diving when I turned 18. I loved it, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

My best friend: Tiffany. We’ve been friends for more than half our lives and I can’t go more than a week without talking to her on the phone for at least two hours. Even though we are miles apart, there’s no one that gets me better than she does, and she’ll always be my best friend.

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FAQs

How does online learning work from a teacher’s perspective?

Many people I meet are fascinated by my job (though I’ve yet to figure out why!). I teach college English classes online. Most of the schools I teach for design their own curriculum. I facilitate discussion and grade student work, all online.

What do you like most about teaching? What do you like least?

A few times a year I receive an email from a student telling me that he/she almost dropped out of the class, but I stayed in because of me. I have had notes from students that make me cry, telling me what a difference I’ve made in their lives. This is definitely what I love most. Least is when students are rude or snippy to me. I don’t deserve it.

What advice would you give people thinking about returning to college?

Just do it! Seriously, I am a firm believer that you can do anything. I have had single moms working two jobs earn As in my class. Anything is possible if you make the time, do your research, set priorities, and enlist help of family. Write, write, write and read, read, read. Make these habits because you will become a good writer and thinker.

What advice would give people who want to become writers?

This list could go on forever. Do your research about the market–there is so much to know. Slow down–many wannabe writers jump into trying to get published prematurely. Write all the time–you must love it and you must be disciplined about it. Read in your genre–you must read all the time. Go to writer’s conferences–you make life-long friends who understand your craziness (yes, writers are nuts-o), and you get awesome opportunities to break in.

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Affiliations

* American Christian Fiction Writers
* Arizona Adjunct Faculty Association
* Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
* Christy Award Judge
* Christian Writers of the West
* Romance Writers of America
* YA Romance Writers of America chapter