Before reporting news for the Las Vegas Daily Optic in New Mexico, Susan Dlugach earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She also taught English in New Mexico and California while scribbling stories and poetry for herself. Writing retreats and workshops are among her vacation destinations as she continues to hone her craft. She’s published in California Update and participates in poetry readings and a critique group. Not to be a one-trick pony, she also enjoys music, dancing, yoga, hiking and studies Spanish with hopes of someday conversing easily and reading novels in that beautiful language.