I am a native of Fairfax, Virginia, and now live in Washington DC.

After studying English at Yale, I was an early employee at AOL, where I worked for six years, including lengthy assignments in other countries. Since 1999 I have worked on my writing.

I was born October 14 1966, 900 years after the Battle of Hastings. My signs are Libra (western) and Horse (eastern). When not writing, I play with my dog, play squash, go skiing, go to plays, or read. I can cook, but rarely do.

My last name is pronounced:

• do re mi
• raisin bran
• water ski

photo: Andrew Dobranski