In 2009, I lost my teaching job. At the time it was devastating, but as it is with most things that end life as you know it, it was a gift. My daughter was in her first year of preschool. I always resented having to work when my kids were young. My heart wanted to stay home with my children, but my bank account told me it was impossible. Losing my job forced me to stay home (at least part of the time). During that school year, I was a substitute teacher. Some days I worked, o

When I was little, I would have nightmares on a regular basis. I've got a lot of theories as to why, (Maybe because I grew up in a haunted house? Maybe because I was a scaredy cat growing up?) but regardless, they made a powerful impact on me. At first I would go in to sleep with my parents, finally feeling safe and able to sleep peacefully. They got tired of it eventually though and encouraged me to go back to sleep on my own. It was part of growing up to be honest. One nigh

Writing takes time. Everybody understands that, but few have the diligence and determination to finish a piece of writing. Even fewer seek publication, and then there’s the small percentage that not only find a publisher, they find a good one. I’ll agree that I’ve been fortunate to have my work picked up by two excellent small publishers: Radiant Crown Publishing and The Parliament House Press. However it wasn’t all just luck. It took years of rejection, negotiations, and bro