I've been asked many times how I got started with my writing. There is a long and a short answer--I'll give you the short one.

First, I loved to read. From 7th grade on I was always reading something. I'm not a fan of classics (ain't smart enough), but I love a good story with strong characters and I've read thousands of novels in my life.

Second, I enjoyed writing. I never planned on being a published author--the idea never crossed my mind--but I liked to write. Mostly, I just wrote for school and when someone ripped me off (I made a lot of money that way), but I liked it. The one year of college I attended was filled with writing classes that I loved.

Third, I was put on bed rest for a pregnancy. I read everything I could find. I watched a lot of TV and eventually found myself with a story idea and all this time on my hands.

By the time I had the baby, I had most of the book done. I belonged to a book group who found out I'd written this story and asked to read it. I didn't use much of their feedback until I received a few rejections, then I took their suggestions seriously, did a rewrite and sent it off. The book was Earning Eternity and it came out about six months later.

There is A LOT more to the story, but in 500 words or less, that's how I got started. A friend once said "Thank goodness for bed rest." I had never looked at it that way, but it's very true. In my case I don't believe I'd have ever written a book if not for having a time where there was literally nothing else to do. Funny how those hard times work out now and again.