There was a girl who fell in love with words at the age of three. She loved them so much being sent to her room for punishment was like a vacation because she traveled to places unknown between the covers of folios way too mature for her young eyes to peruse. Years later, with her foster family intact and virtue gone she clung to the words of a man she'd call her real life superhero. Her foster father read one of her poems haphazardly hanging out of her composition book and told her she had a gift.
This girl would go on to become her superheroes walking dictionary, spell check and thesaurus and the exception to many of her own and others expectations. She traveled to a far away place alone in pursuit of the dream of higher education to find disappointment and lack. Years later at her wedding reception her superhero reminded her again. "No matter what you do, be an entrepreneur, go back to finish college, whatever it may be, write. It is a gift. It is part of you. Write."
Years later that girl would sit down to finish a novel she the year she had to leave college and that same superhero would be the first (and only) to purchase an advanced copy of her novel and poetry book. He received and read the novel and poetry book he prepaid for with pride and joy. Years later her superhero would graduate to guardian angel. She went on to complete release the first novel and five since then including her NANOWRIMO winner from 2011, EMBRACING MYSELF NOW.
Sometimes when she sits before the keyboard, she wonders is it real. Does she really have "readers" or as Facebook blazenly calls them "fans"? Has she really walked on the water of risk and published eight books for all the world to love or hate and everything in between? Does she dare try a new POV and cross over into a new genre to introduce the world to all of the characters trying get out of her head and into readers hearts?
Sometimes she wonders not if it is real but if she can... do it again. Write a whole book, flesh out a new "world" of people readers will want to get to know. On those nights, she hears her guardian angels words of encouragements. She feels his love and support telling her what she is now sharing with you.
"No matter what else you do--- whatever it may be --- write. It is a gift. It is part of you. WRITE!"
