Rissa Poloway, a freelance writer, took early retirement from her government position to devote herself to a writing career. Her stories, articles, and poems have appeared in many publications. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she married a caring man with whom she had a son and daughter. He died at an early age, but the children were already grown. Rissa moved to New York City near her daughter and two grandsons, but often sees her son, his wife, and their two sons in California. Though she paints and writes, she claims that her greatest creations are her children and grandchildren.