Yes. I wrote a wonderful little story on a teenage romance. I was 15 years old at the time. I remember writing everyday after school. Unfortunately, I lost the notebooks and never recovered those words. However, the experience revealed to me that deep down, I am a writer.

The first story I ever read was Why Do Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears? by Verna Aardema, Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon. A beautiful, delightful and very popular children's book! I loved this book. I was fascinated not just with the creativity, but the imagination behind the story. I found that writing is much more than just story-telling. There has to be some element of a truth, whether real or fabricated. Regardless, the reader needs a truth to compel them to keep reading, to keep them engaged.

THE BIBLE--This is my go-to. It is the guide for my life.
THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison. Poignant and Perfect.
THE INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison-- I read this book at least 3x a year. I am fascinated with his skillful blending of abstract and concrete story-telling leading the reader to wonder and ponder about his truth. It's a great book.
YOU SHALL KNOW OUR VELOCITY by Dave Eggers-- Mr. Eggers writes with humour and bluntness. His writing style is clean and crystal clear. I loved this memoir. I had never read a memoir quite like his. Brilliant.
STANDING AT THE SCRATCH LINE by Guy Johnson-- Mr. Johnson gives a new name to epic historical story-telling. He creates characters that are so real, you feel like calling them on the phone!

Undersong by Audre Lord
War Trash by Ha Jin
Free Burning by Bayo Ojikutu
Rome Sweet Rome by Scott Hahn

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White. Not cluttered, but not clear. My desk is plastic. There are some crumbs laying around from last night's late snack. My desk has a fake plant on one corner and an old iMac computer on the other. It does not face a window - just an apartment divider wall. There is a picture of an artist's rendition of the Virgin Mary facing me. That is my view.

I grew up in a Caribbean immigrant family in South Florida. I am a first-generation American. If that alone doesn't influence me, nothing will! I prayed, I laughed, I cried, I struggled. I was the product of a two-parent home, then a broken home. I chronicled the sometimes hypocritical views of my relatives who often harbored hostility toward everything "American," yet embracing and loving American culture all the same. Years of stifling tropical heat, hungry mosquitos, sweet fried plantains, bowls and bowls of red beans and rice, stubborn foreign accents and over-the-top family gatherings all influenced who I am and what I write.

When I was fifteen years old.

This is the best and quickest way to get to readers. It also has a cool mystique to it.

Smashwords is awesome, awesome, awesome.

Revealing the truth. Opening up. Exploring thoughts and imagination. Sharing with others.

Everything. My fans are my friends. I talk to them and they to me. I feel that without them, I would have no reason to write.

Human Trash

Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Ralph Ellison, Dave Eggers

God.

I work and live life.

I turn to Smashwords, Amazon and Bookbub.

The Flyers incorporates many personal experiences into one story. It is essentially a story of a woman learning to love herself.

I write daily. When developing a story, I try to write it one scene at a time in order to stay in the moment. I have strong critique support which I use throughout the writing process. Editing is the best part.

I let the protagonist tell me how the cover should look.