I have always wanted to be a writer. Probably because I was number eight out of ten kids, plus a half brother, plus a step-brother, and a half sister and a step-sister. (Yes, we were Catholic.)

Anyway with that mob, it was hard to get a word in edgewise, though Lord knows I tried. There is an old family picture somewhere with all of us in the yard. As I was one of the youngest at the time, I was right in front--with one of my brothers with his hand over my mouth.

So writing became, early on, a way for me to express myself. But even early on, I knew I probably couldn't live off of it. So I went to college for a "practical" skill and went to work. Got married, had a couple of kids, and got divorced. Got remarried, (happily this time)and had another child. But through it all, I kept on writing. Because I had to. Because I'm a writer.