biography.
Born and raised in Thiensville, WI, the "worthwhile square mile," Lynn attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned a B.A. in English. Not quite ready to create that first work of fiction as she had dreamed of doing, she decided to pursue a career in the financial planning industry as a representative with Northwestern Mutual Life. But she could never quite quell the urge to write, so after twelve years, she gave in to her heart's desire and become a freelance writer.
Well before this career change, Lynn's husband had been diagnosed with a degenerative nerve condition. After eight years of consulting neurologists and trying experimental treatments that permanently induced diabetes, Gregg's health was worsening. Lynn decided it was time to explore alternative options. This was in 1993, when the internet was still a babe and alternative medicine a toddler. But she began to learn about modalities like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine and homeopathy. She and Gregg even ventured to Nepal to attend a course called "Self-Healing in Ayurvedic and Tibetan Medicine." Not only did they learn practical ideas that they could use at home when they or their daughters suffered an acute ailment, like a cold, ear infection or sore throat, but they began to understand the true nature of health and healing.
Gradually, they made some significant lifestyle changes. The kitchen, with it's wealth of herbs, spices and organic foods, became the medicine cabinet. They dumped their microwave. They even decided to stop vaccinating the kids, as well themselves, a decision made easier after discovering that a tetanus vaccine probably provoked many of Gregg's health issues. (The girls were still able to attend public school in Wisconsin and now Arizona because each state offers a philosophical exemption from immunizations.) These changes inspired Lynn to write Holistic Parenting: Raising Children to a New Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being.
In 1996, Lynn and family moved to Tucson, Arizona, a climate more amenable to Gregg's health. Lynn continues to write and edit. Healthy Solutions: A Guide to Simple Healing and Healthy Wisdom, written with David N. Russell, Ph.D. was released in 2006, as was How Happy Families Happen: Six Steps to Creating Emotional and Spiritual Health at Home, written with Audrey Ricker, Ph.D. Lynn also wears the hat of literary publicist at Russell Public Communications (no relations to David Russell), and she's even managed to get some poetry published.
So, yes, Lynn planned to write fiction, visit Paris, and continue living where summers are green and winters white. Instead, she penned a parenting book, traveled to Katmandu, Nepal, and moved to the Arizona desert.
Sometimes you never know which way life will flow.