Growing up in South Euclid, Ohio, was a lively affair, filled with the constant hum of a large and boisterous family. My parents, Ann and Arvel, along with my sister Sandy and my three brothers Dennis, Doug, and Tom, created an atmosphere of spirited energy that found its echo in my early novel, Absolutely Normal Chaos, where the brothers even shared the same names as my own. Our home wasn’t just a haven for us Creeches; it was a welcoming space for friends and visiting relatives, a constant hub of activity and shared moments.
Summer vacations were a cherished tradition, a time when we’d all cram into the car for adventures to Wisconsin, Michigan, or even the vast landscapes of Idaho. The five-day journey to Idaho when I was twelve left an indelible mark, opening my eyes to the sheer magnificence of our country. Little did I know that decades later, this transformative experience would inspire my novel Walk Two Moons.
Our travels frequently led us to Quincy, Kentucky, a place that remains close to my heart. There, my cousins resided on a breathtaking farm, a pastoral paradise of rolling hills, lush trees, a refreshing swimming hole, and a rustic barn. Days were spent exploring the outdoors, and evenings were for gathering on the porch, captivated by the art of storytelling. Quincy’s charm was so profound that it has been reimagined in many of my books, appearing as Bybanks, Kentucky, in Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird, and Bloomability. Even The Wanderer references this beloved place, though not by name.
As a child, my aspirations were as varied as the colors in a painter’s palette: I dreamed of being a painter, an ice skater, a singer, and a teacher. However, reality soon intervened. My artistic talents were limited, my tolerance for icy tumbles was minimal, and my singing voice struggled to stay in tune. I also discovered that the role of a reporter wouldn’t suit me, as I had a tendency to reshape facts when they didn’t align with my preferences. It was during my college years, while immersed in literature and writing courses, that I developed a deep fascination with the craft of storytelling.
My professional journey led me to teaching high school English and writing, first in England and later in Switzerland. This experience was invaluable, as studying great literature provided profound insights into the art of writing—understanding what makes a narrative compelling, mastering plot and character development, and exploring the nuances of point of view. My early forays into publishing were with novels for adults, released under the name Sharon Rigg. The Recital and Nickel Malley, both written while I lived in England, were published there but are now out of print.
However, it was Absolutely Normal Chaos that marked a turning point, after which my focus shifted predominantly to writing about young people. The publication of Walk Two Moons in America was a landmark moment, and receiving the prestigious Newbery Medal was an experience that left me in a state of delightful disbelief, a feeling I still occasionally revisit.
Following the success of Walk Two Moons, my literary landscape expanded with books such as Chasing Redbird, Pleasing the Ghost, Bloomability, The Wanderer, and Fishing in the Air. My greatest hope is to continue weaving stories for many years to come.
I am married to Lyle Rigg, who serves as the headmaster of The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. We have two grown children, Rob and Karin. My family remains the source of my greatest joy, and the act of writing stories is the next-best thing.
