Skinner originally began writing stories in the fourth grade at which time she decided she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. At 23 years old, Skinner joined the United States Navy, eventually serving on the USS Jason (AR-8) stationed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean during the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1980. Skinner graduated from Mesa Community College with an associate degree, graduated from Ottawa University with a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature/Letters and Prescott College with a Masters in Creative Writing.