In High School, I had an English teacher who drilled into us the power of words. He told us to spend time writing everyday. I started sharing stories with friends, but as I graduated and went to college, the writing I did became pure academic—no fiction. After marrying and having several children, writing seemed impossible, especially helping with the family business. But then I saw it—the poster that made me sit down at a computer and get to work, creating a heroine who defended the truth with a kind heart. After all, I enjoy writing—how hard could it be? It took me five years to figure out the industry. Five years of numerous drafts, tons of feedback, and edit after edit, but Desert is "finally ready".