Writing is the natural extension of my favorite pastime, reading.
My Mother, and English literature teacher, taught me to read by the age of four. I believe she did this because I would hound her to read the same books over and over until I had them memorized. When she was busy, I would look at my favorite books and turn the pages. She would hear me reciting the dialog and story to myself. I believe this led me to a semi eidetic memory.
My maternal Grandmother, also an English teacher, spent many an hour correcting my grammar and speech.
When I was in school, I was not one of the “in” crowd. I was teased and bullied.
Reading was a way for me to escape the hurts of the day and have adventures where I was the heroine.
I write because it gives me the opportunity to go to my own world where the accommodations are better and everyone knows me by name.
Every story I create is me, off from the mundane to the exciting. I am the one who discovers buried treasure, has a love affair or saves the planet.
I am an accountant by trade. There is little deviation or diversion with the numbers. When I get bogged down in the routine, I use my imagination.
This is one of the ways I get ideas for stories or continuation of a story line I have already begun.
My poetry often springs up while I am doing some journal entries or other task. I keep a notebook with me to jot these ideas down for future reference.
This is the way I keep going. When life gets me down, I fight back by creating a character that can change the world.
I have recently started writing nonfiction essays and journalistic articles. I love researching the topic, finding quotes and drawing the overall point together. The first one I finished gave me such a feeling of satisfaction. I felt like I had really accomplished something.
Writing is the light at the end of the tunnel for me. For the last three years, I couldn’t really see it. I was afraid that I would never find my way out.
My goal of being a self-sufficient writer has given my life a new purpose and new beginning I thought was beyond me.
I am on the path of success again, and it is a glorious feeling.

Photo by Sarah Dallaire