Karla Potter

I was born in Landstuhl Germany to American parents. I grew up in, California and Ohio. In 1971 I gave birth to a girl, whom I named Toska. In the early part of 1972 my husband Walter Reed passed away. I shall never forget him, because he told me could do anything if I set my mind to it, I was only 16 at the time. My first working career was as a tree trimmer, and then I became a nurse's aid in Springfield Ohio, between 1972-1978. I then went on to be part owner in a carpet installation business in Springfield, Ohio in 1979-1980. I decided to travel a bit so went to Fort Worth, Texas to be a waitress in 1981. Decided to move again. This time I went to Carlsbad New Mexico. I owned my own wholesale outlet "Karla Marshall's Wholesale" and also did accounting for 2 or three small companies during 1982-1986. I became a Sunday school teacher in Carlsbad New Mexico in 1984. I decided to try my hand at something else so I moved to Florida, got my CDL then drove trucks for a while in 1987-88. I then moved to Washington State in 1989. I took up writing poetry, then in 1993 started going to writing schools. I graduated three writing courses. During 1999 I became a Bible School Teacher at Elbe, Wa. I have been writing poetry, short stories and novels off and on for 22 years. I'm now Reverend for a non-denominational Church, Divine Word Ministries, which I started after graduating BridgeWater Univeristy in 2003. I live in the morning shadow of Mt Rainier, in Washington State. I have lots of dogs who help me keep me on my toes. I like to hike, ride bikes, swim, canoe, fish, plant trees and flowers and of course write. Towards the end of 2003 some of my poetry became internationally published.