Finding a voice through writing...
The term ‘emerging’ writer/author probably describes me well. Though I’ve written all my life I had no aspirations to be a published writer. In fact, once I became a parent, I spent a great deal of my life raising my children. As a single parent with few financial resources, there was little time to dream about ‘who’ or ‘what’ I wanted to be. Without a job one summer I submitted a non-fiction proposal and sample to several publishers. It was this project that opened the door to publication for me. At the suggestion I try fiction, without benefit of writing courses, writing groups or prior experience I wrote my first novel. “Plenty Good Room” was my second effort. My own experiences growing up as well as youth I met 'in the system' inspired me to write this particular story. The story is one of hope, faith and love that highlights the pressing social issue of foster care.
Months after the publication at age 50, I re-entered college. I will complete my Bachelor’s degree in the fall and am applying to grad schools. I have managed a 4.0 average for the past four semesters, placing me on the Dean’s List and allowing me to be inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society. It's been great to find I love academic writing almost as much as fiction. I'm in the process of choosing grad schools to apply to, and it is my plan to earn a Master’s in Fine Arts Degree. We'll see what life has to offer when I'm finished!
I have also been blessed to tour and talk about writing and the social issue of foster care since the publication of “Plenty Good Room.” Travels have taken me to Baltimore, Chicago, and Milwaukee. Highlights were participating in the first Author’s Panel and Literary Event at the Indianapolis Black Expo. Here I got to meet the wonderful author BeBe Moore Campbell. And, as an invited participant of the Virginia Festival of the Book, I got to meet and greet established authors like Jeffrey Deaver, David Baldacci and Micheal Connelly.
I am grateful for this experience at this point in my life. I feel like Sarah in the Bible, past what some consider the ‘prime’ of life, but still giving birth—only instead of babies I’m birthing dreams!
I hope you will read "Plenty Good Room"
