Astrid is a passionate person in many senses of the word. These passions combine in a unique way in Astrid’s writing.

Astrid is passionate about being active in the outdoors. Her outdoor pursuits include rock climbing, hiking, cross-country skiing, scuba diving, canoeing, camping, sailing, backpacking, snowboarding, biking, running, orienteering, and kayaking. Astrid shares this passion with others not only by featuring these activities in her writing, but also through teaching. Astrid taught downhill skiing even though she personally prefers snowboarding. Additionally, she is certified as a sailing instructor, scuba diving instructor, Leave-No-Trace outdoor ethics instructor, and Wilderness First Responder.

Astrid is passionate about going on trips and adventures. Astrid’s passion for adventure extends back to her childhood. Before she was even a teenager, she planned her family’s vacations. Since then, Astrid has planned and led many trips for friends and family. On her trips, she has seen many examples of what NOT to do while out in the wilderness. These memories help add excitement to her writing. However, all of Astrid’s trips have been fun and ended successfully and safely.

Astrid is passionate about the challenge inherent in outdoor pursuits. While planning several of her trips, she was told they could not be done. She then proceeded to happily complete them, while including friends and family who were not necessarily skilled in the activity. Astrid’s passion for challenge also manifests itself through competitive events, such as triathlons, marathons, 10k’s, 5k’s, and other endurance events. Although she never places among the top competitors, Astrid enjoys the satisfaction of finishing the events to the best of her ability. This sense of challenge serves her well when trips don’t go as planned, which is often the case for her main protagonist Erin Mark.

Astrid is passionate about the importance of trips and adventures while testing out a relationship. A person’s true colors come out when a wrong turn almost leads to missing the flight home. Or, if someone can stay positive and pleasant to be with while tired, sore, and frustrated with a route that turned out to be much more physically demanding than originally planned, that person might just be able to handle the pressures of daily life without turning into a monster. Like in her stories, adventure and romance are inseparable in Astrid’s own life. Her husband is her ever-present travel companion. In fact, the above two examples were taken from adventures she and her husband shared while dating. Although married back in 2005, they are still madly in love.

Astrid is passionate about living her life, regardless of social expectations. Consequently, she pays little heed to social convention. This often provides entertainment for those around her, including those reading her written words.

Astrid is passionate about stories. Since she was young, Astrid has had a love of story, be that in the form of a book, movie, or TV series. Her favorites always seem to incorporate relationships and adventure. Astrid compulsively dissects the story, looking for character inconsistencies or gaps in the plot. This habit helped prepare her to write her own stories that would stand up to such scrutiny from others.

Combining all the above passions gave birth to the Erin Mark Adventures, as well as Astrid’s other writings. Through these works, Astrid hopes to share her passions with others. It is her highest hope to promote a love of the outdoors, or at least a sense of adventure.

Astrid currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.