My full name is Mari Ellen Hotchkiss (Mari E.) How often do you think I get called Marie? My name is pronounced Mar-E.

As a kid, I was a tomboy. I still am. Sometimes I like to get dressed up. 

I was Home Schooled between second grade and my freshman year in high school.

I earned a soccer scholarship to Portland State University, so I moved to PDX from Whidbey Island Washington. I have been here ever since.

I'm the mom of four wonderful writing distractions (all boys, I know, I think I'm crazy too.) Q - 12, M - 9, D - 4, and T - 1. 

I have a degree in Drawing, Painting, and Print Making. I use it ... sometimes. 

As a child, I was going to be a Nature Photographer, Marine Biologist, and Olympic soccer player. 

My Favorite Ice cream flavor is chocolate with salted caramel!

My pregnancy craving was watermelon I ate it until it came out my ears. Now all my boys are watermelon hogs.

I met my husband in class sophomore year of college and never looked back. It's a cute story. Maybe I'll write about it someday.

Things that get me excited: A good book, a new podcast, really good food, alone time. Pooping by myself, Because no one in my family, including my husband, can be without me for a minute!