Dunaway, Michele: - In first grade, Michele Dunaway wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. By second grade, she wanted to be an author. By third grade, she determined to be both. Born Missouri, Michele lives in her childhood hometown and travels frequently, with the places she visits inspiring her writing. A teacher by day and novelist by night, Michele describes herself as a woman who does too much, but doesn't know how to stop, especially when it comes to baking brownies and chocolate chip cookies.