My Writing
When people ask how I began writing, I jab my finger in the direction of my mother (respectfully, of course) who encouraged me to read. She never got angry at the enormous stack of books I would replenish weekly from the local library, knowing that the benefits far outweighed occasional late fees. So indulged, I grew to have a taste for the deliciousness of words. I began to see how they even shaped the past, present and future. I studied history, political science and religion, and discovered that I could access words to shape one or two award-winning stories, and less-than-stellar term papers.
When I started writing about people instead of events, however, things began to change drastically. I had discovered my passion.
I began working as a publicist for an organization in Denver called Community Learning Centers, an inspirational program that worked with troubled and disadvantaged youth. These were gang-bangers, miscreants, runaways and throwaways. Coming into a setting where people connected with them, cared enough to hold them accountable, and believed that they could change if they truly desired it, I witnessed a portion of these kids do miraculous things! Some children from abusive homes, even second and third generation gang members began to see that they could have a different way of life than that which their aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, mothers and fathers had chosen. They really could be anything they wanted, if they chose to shape their own destiny. When they made that solid choice to be empowered—to be a contribution—my job was to tell their story. And with each story of transformation, I became enamored at the human soul… and its endless possibilities…
And I have stayed in love ever since.
