From an early age, I always knew that I was supposed to write. I seemed to have a sharp eye and keen talent when it came to anything related to the English language, hence all those times I won the Spelling Bee. As I progressed in school, my English teachers always told me that I had "potential." Hearing that was frustrating, at first because I wasn't really sure what that meant, and then later, because it meant that I still had a ways to go before reaching my full potential. Even now, at age 45, I still have not reached my "full" potential when it comes to my writing.

Perhaps the two teachers who gave me the most inspiration were Mrs. Goggins, my high school typing teacher, and Mrs. Lisa Smith, one of my high school English teachers. Mrs. Goggins was an inspiration simply because she was always so incredibly nice, sweet, and supportive. Mrs. Smith was an inspiration because she recognized my "potential" and put me up to a challenge, so to speak. In my high school yearbook, Mrs. Smith wrote that she wanted to see a novel by me in the coming years with the title of "Love's Last Lingering Look." In honor of her words that have stuck with me through all these years, I did indeed dedicate one of my books to her.

I was shocked when my publisher sent out a newsletter informing all of her authors to exercise extra caution regarding social media. Apparently, since I have published works out there, I am now considered a "public figure", and social media can actually cause quite a lot of problems if I'm not careful. She warned me/us not to post personal or sensitive information on sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc., because we never know if we have crazed fans out there who would love to know where we live so they could obtain an autograph, or if we have fans out there who have more sinister plans in mind for us, simply because they don't like what I/we've written. Knowing that I actually have fans now still takes some getting used to, although I'm not complaining one bit. Usually when someone I know is gushing about my talents as a writer, I just stand there and smile politely and probably blush a little (or a lot). And in case you're wondering, yes, I've given autographs.

When people find out you're an author, they probably automatically think the same thing: Is she rich? Is she famous? Is she going to be? Let me clue you in on what it's like to be an author. I DO have a "regular" job that I must attend to in order to pay bills and eat. I get paid for what I've written, although it's nowhere near the staggering figures that are commanded by more popular names such as Stephen King or Danielle Steel. Hopefully, that will come in time. But being an author isn't just about the money. When a writer is following their passion and has been for years, there is an overwhelming, indescribable satisfaction in seeing your name on something you've created, something that other people now have the opportunity to read and enjoy for themselves. That being said, being an author can also be a terrifying venture, because what you create and put out there is highly personal and is subject to some nasty criticism as well as praise.

Knowing that I'm a published author still comes as quite a surprise at times, but it's a pleasant surprise. Despite all the unknowns that come with this particular field, there is no way I could ever give up writing. It's what I was put on this Earth to do, and I will continue to do it until I have lived my last day.