SHARI PHIPPEN loves words. She has loved words since 92-year old Nat Blumenthal taught her how to write poetry in the 1980s. She is terrified of rejection, so wanting to be a writer is the most natural career choice. When she’s not writing about dating disasters, family history scandals or the secret life of the pigeon she saw on the subway, she works in local government. She always has a Diet Coke on hand and at least 4 types of cheese in her fridge.