I grew up in the great expanses of the western states where the deserts loom horizontally, the mountains bulk vertically, and the waterways are precious. Combining my love of the natural world and outdoor recreation with the desire to express it in writing, I hoarded the nature writing classes at Utah State University where I received my Bachelors degree in creative writing.

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In an effort to see more of the world I embarked on a tour of 16 European countries, and later spent six weeks traveling through Mexico in a travel trailer watching the full moon rise over the jungle, the sting rays struggle on the white-sand beach, and the people, big and small, living lives foreign to me.

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After a lifetime of skiing the “Greatest Snow on Earth," I deviated from the ski resorts and strapped on telemark skis and backcountry gear to increase the challenge and to experience pieces of winter I hadn’t yet met. College brought rock climbing, which led to ice climbing and canyoneering. Kayak touring, biking, camping, and snowshoeing filled any open adventure slot, and being a mother of two sons while putting it all down on paper rounds out the picture. 

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In 2015 I went to graduate school and earned a MS degree in Folklore/American Studies with a research focus on personal narrative. I used this fabulous area of study to host and produce the Love Your Story podcast which is in its eighth year running.

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I taught writing at Utah State University during my time in graduate school and continue to take writing classes myself - it's all about the craft.

—Lori currently lives in Bountiful, Utah with her husband, her Yorkie named Rockstar, and a pile of notebooks. Very old-school.