I have wanted to write ever since I was a child. When I was a young teenager, I remember seeing an advertisement in a magazine calling for would-be authors to submit a sample of their writing for evaluation. I set about to write a short piece, polish it, re-write and polish it again before sending it off to the address provided. There was no doubt in my mind that I had submitted a remarkable collection of profound words.

Several weeks later, a letter came in the mail from the company who had solicited the writing. I ripped open the envelope and read it line by line – several times. Although worded as graciously as possible, the gist of their response was this: Give yourself time to experience more of life – and THEN you will have something to write about! I was crushed and temporarily gave up my dream to be an author.

Now several years later, I can appreciate the value of the opportunities I have had to experience “life.” There have been the grand adventures of falling in love, getting married, and having a family. But there have also been the life classes in the loss of loved ones, aging parents, frightening health situations, and struggles for my children that I cannot solve. Each of those “lessons” has broadened my compassion for others who have passed that way before me. Those lessons have also equipped me to develop characters shaped by experiences similar to my own. I have something to write about!