I am a late bloomer. Not including the computer, I turned on my first and only hand-held reading device nine months ago. My husband had given me one for Christmas. It was an Samsung Gallery 3 Tablet. Watching family members and friends use them, I had asked for one so I might give it a try.

When it comes to marketing strategies, I am at an elementary level. The average writer could give me tips. It is my belief we must be determine and believe in ourselves. Authors put their heart and soul into their craft, squeezing out that perfect phase to turn ordinary sentences into great books. As for myself, I plan to reach as many as possible while working on the next book. If one book doesn't produce the results desired, perhaps the next one will.

This question brought a chuckle. I have been known to hide away in my women cave when working on a project. My desk is often a cluttered mess and the draws are so full, they barely close. At any one time, scattered piles of papers and books can be found on my large L-shaped desk. Feeling fortunate to have my own project room, it only took my children growing up and moving on to obtain it. The room is full of childlike props and collectables used as inspiration with the manuscripts I write. Last of all, hanging on the walls are pictures that maintain the tone surrounded by old dolls and bears. A messy desk or work area is one that is well used.

My first attempt to write a book came over twenty-five years ago. I had been working with young children at a military daycare. The Month of the Military Child was approaching, and no suitable book could be found. That's when I first had the idea to create my own. It was simple for preschoolers, and the illustrations were barely beyond stick figures with heads. The idea was good, although the book wasn't. I dabbled on and off with a few short stories after that. They were all terrible too. I took up reading for a while.

Writing is a craft that had to be developed. In early 2009, I briefly self-published Christmas at the Claus House Saving Clara. That was the first edition of the book now recently released. The original book had illustrations created with markers and crayons. Its words not properly edited, had too many mistakes. Stores would not carry it and the high selling price turned most people away. I had rushed into publishing too quickly, I removed the book almost immediately from sales. When beginning a new career, we tend to make mistakes. Reading more and joining a writing group had brought me up to a higher level. I considered myself an inspiring writer, too stubborn to give up the dream. This time I plan to go all the way.

Now a lot older, and hopefully a little wiser, I have gained some insight to what is necessary to reach my goals. After numerous rejections and compounding postal costs, the most important thing after rewrites is to have your work professional edited and proof read. With luck other books I have written will find their moment of sunshine. My best advice for anyone starting out, if you believe your story is good, don't give up!