While I have been lucky enough through my work, especially as a journalist, experience many fascinating cultures all over the world, at heart I am a small town girl. Many of my colleagues grew up in major cities, like London or New York, I’m sure very exciting! But my hometown was and is, small, peaceful, and deeply connected to nature and the ocean. And because of events like the ATT golf and the Concourse, it was also a destination for tourists and celebrities from around the world, so we had some of that in our small town DNA too. For me, my hometown memories are vivid, and beloved. Growing up in Carmel and Pebble Beach, with frequent trips down to the beaches, rivers and mountains of Big Sur, created a deep impact and imprint on me as a person, and as a writer.