"Why I write, My Journey as an Author"

     From a young age, storytelling has been a deep passion of mine. I loved getting lost in a good book, drifting off into another world created by words and imagination. As an only child, I spent countless hours entertaining myself, allowing my creativity to run wild. Although I have siblings, we didn’t grow up together, which left me alone with my thoughts and vivid imagination.

When I was 13 years old, my love for writing blossomed through poetry. I was so passionate that I submitted some of my poems for publication. To this day, I can’t recall exactly where they were published, but I do remember proudly receiving a certificate confirming that my poem had made it into print.

By the time I was 15, I had started writing my very first book, titled Sweet Sixteen Bites, a romance between a human and a vampire. Although that premise has since become quite common, back then, it felt fresh and exciting. I spent hours typing on my dad’s computer, printing out chapter after chapter, and even researching ways to get my book published.

One of my most cherished memories was sharing my manuscript with my English teacher, Mr. Pondexter. He encouraged me and told me how impressed he was with my writing. Ironically, years later, Mr. Pondexter became a published author himself! I never asked him for advice on publishing—life had taken me on a different path.

As the years went on, my writing dream took a back seat to other chapters in my life: marriage, children, and building a home filled with love. But the desire to write never left me. In 2017, when my fourth child turned one, I decided to reignite my passion and return to my writing journey. Three years later, in 2020, I accomplished a lifelong goal and self-published my very first book. I was 30 years old.

As a child, I dreamed of becoming the youngest published author. But dreams evolve. Publishing my first book at 30 brought a different kind of joy. Now, I get to share my writing journey with my children. They are my biggest supporters, listening to my chapters and giving their feedback. When I write children's books, they eagerly share their opinions, making the process a true family affair.

For me, writing is more than a personal journey—it's a shared experience. Each book I publish is a family victory, woven with love, imagination, and memories.

And the best part? This story is still being written.