Finding My Voice with Pen & Keyboard

My writing journey began with a grade school assignment to write a story about anything we wanted. My 11-year-old brain decided an orange monster who was scared of the dark was a masterpiece! While it never earned me any prestigious awards, it did earn me a solid grade for creativity.

Fast forward to when my own daughter turned 11. That was the year she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I started keeping a daily journal of everything that was happening so we could look back on it once she was better. I am so glad I did. Today, she is 21 and fully recovered, aside from some residual nerve pain.

Interestingly, my first published book wasn’t the first one I started writing. I felt strongly that my daughter’s story needed to be in children’s hospitals across the country—not as a dry medical journal, but as an inspiration for other children going through the same thing. That’s how The Nerve Ninja began.

I got stuck on that project for a while and found myself distracted by other inspirations. Around that time, my brother-in-law, Richard, called to talk about my writing. He told me about his friend Jim, a published author who wanted to help me critique my work. Jim turned out to be an incredible mentor; he gave me the confidence I needed to finally hit “publish.”

You can research the internet all day and read “how-to” articles, but hearing advice from someone who has lived it time and time again is a true treasure. Joining the Pen & Keyboard writers group was the best decision I’ve ever made as an author. There is no competition here—only inspiration and encouragement.

The group has already published two anthologies, and I was honored to contribute to the third: Literary Graffiti: Then I Grew Up. This collection is packed with different perspectives on what it means to grow up. From locations all over the world to childhood follies and even the “skill” of moonshining, there is something everyone can relate to. It features 14 authors and 21 very different stories, all captivating and original.

In one of my stories in the book, I wrote: “When I was growing up, I didn’t have a lot. So, I thought ‘having stuff’ meant you’d made it.” My piece leads you through my journey of collecting “things” and eventually learning that stuff isn’t what success looks like. By the end, you’ll read: “Now, I believe in making room. In keeping less and living more. In holding people tighter than most possessions…. In the clink of a spoon against a familiar mug.”

If you’ve ever looked back at your younger self and wondered how you became the person you are today, I think you’ll find a piece of yourself in these pages. From the lessons learned in childhood to the moments that redefined us as adults, Literary Graffiti: Then I Grew Up is more than just a collection of stories—it’s a reminder of the shared journey we’re all on. I’d love for you to pull up a chair, grab a familiar mug, and join us in our adventures of growing up.

Pen & Keyboard Website
Facebook Page
Purchase Literary Graffiti: Then I Grew Up Amazon
Purchase Literary Graffiti: Then I Grew Up Barnes & Noble
YouTube Channel