Regarding education, I attended college at Western Governors University. I graduated with a B.A. in elementary education. Currently, I teach first grade, and I squeeze in time to write narrative stories for children. In addition, I love art in the form of paintings and drawings. I draw sometimes, and I hope to become more skilled at it because drawing is cathartic for me; it allows me to express myself in a different way. I think it would be cool to have an art gallery showcasing all my work. My immediate family consist of me and my son. My son is a freshman in college; very bright young man who is on his way to accomplishing great things with his mama’s help.

How long have you been writing?

I started my writing journey eight years ago. I wrote poetry, then I transitioned into narrative writing. 

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

I get my inspiration from my experiences; our experiences shape our thoughts and manifest through our talents.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Don’t give up! And this is geared more toward self-publishing authors like me who are working with minimal resources while having to learn the ins and outs of the publishing process, marketing, etc. It requires a lot of hard work and consistency. And if you’re not willing to learn and put in the effort, you won’t go too far. Also, patience is important because when you’re a new author, you have to build your audience. And that does not happen overnight. You can become discouraged if you’re not patient with the process. Also, it’s important to know that your work will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay! Don’t let people’s opinions deter you from moving forward and/or make you believe that your work is not good. And it’s not to say that one shouldn’t take heed to constructive criticism. But as writers, we need to stay true to ourselves and not feel obliged to always alter our work to appease others (especially if it’s a matter of the reader just not liking your writing style; focus on the things that really matter). Remember, it’s your masterpiece. It’s your contribution to the world. And what one person may not appreciate, someone else will.

Can you tell us about your road to publication?

I started off with publishing my books through a publisher. But I realized that wasn’t the road I wanted to take considering the costs associated with a publisher, not having all your rights to your work, etc. There are pros and cons with having a publisher, but I would much prefer having free reign to do what I want with my work, without restrictions. It’s a lot of work to self-publish, but it’s worth it. Thus, I will continue to self-publish my work.

What do your fans mean to you?

The feedback I get from people who enjoy my work means a lot to me. Having a supportive fan base contributes to my growth as an author, and the support motivates me to continue writing inspirational and entertaining stories.