She began writing songs before her teen years and dreamed of becoming a songwriter while reading the credits on album sleeves.

[1] After three years she signed a contract with Jobete Music, a division of Motown, and was mentored by Berry Gordy.

She wrote "Sending My Good Thoughts to You" with Artie Wayne and dedicated it to her friend Jim Croce, who died in a plane crash in 1973.

[1] Her songs were recorded by Anne Murray ("Ain't No Way to Rise Above"), Cilla Black ("Running Out of World"),[2] Helen Reddy ("Emotion"), Thelma Houston ("What If", "I'm Letting Go" and "I Never Did"), Michael Johnson ("Dialogue"), Captain & Tennille ("Feels Like More Than Dancing")[3] Johnny Rivers ("Over the Line"), and Riders in the Sky ("Even Texas Isn't Big Enough Now").

Returning to Texas in 1990, she taught songwriting at The Art Institute of Houston and became director of the department.