S. L. ROTTMAN considers the act of writing to be its own reward, however she is further motivated to provide books that can be used in the classroom while keeping the students? interest. As a former English teacher of middle school, high school and alternative school students, Rottman found a need for books geared to teens that had ?good plot and characters that aren?t completely boring?or even just outdated.? Rottman grew up in Aurora, Colorado and always participated in outdoor sports. A former lifeguard and swim coach, Rottman integrated many of these athletic activities into her novels, such as white water rafting in ROUGH WATERS and swimming in HEAD ABOVE WATER. A graduate of Colorado State University, Rottman continues to enjoy the outdoors in Cheyenne, Wyoming.