About the Author: Birthday Reflections

Another year on this planet has passed as I tread upon my path. Mistakes and frustrations have beset me, but there was much good as well. Spending more time with my beloved is at the top of that list. With her support, I was able to experience much that would have frightened me many years ago including amusement park rides, scare fest, visiting New York City, etc. She is my inspiration to write and share with you all the stories that I so do love to write.

Upon the previous year, my dream of being a writer did spark. Since I was a kid, I enjoyed spinning tales for my cousin, brother, and friends as we acted out our imaginary games. As years passed, opportunities arose to show my wordsmanship, but I always seemed to come in behind everyone else. My confidence was shot as for many years I suppressed this dream; spending my days in high school filling journals with ideas that I would expand upon later. It was not until my second year of college that I would relearn the joys of writing when one of my professors challenged me to write a story. At first I treated the assignment as an assignment just to get the job done. She took one look and handed back with a retort that I could do better. (She had seen some other writing assignments I had turned in on a more research based level where I had to put a lot of work to get it up to par).  With a bit of an eye roll at the time, I went back and instead decided to do a different story. I quickly found that spark I once had of writing and wove such a tale that made me smile. Eagerly and timidly, I brought in this new story. Applauds were met by this professor as she asked if I had ever thought of being a writer. At that moment, I had nervously laughed, saying that it was a career that was not stable enough for someone with anxiety. She chuckled remarking that if I ever did change my mind, that she would be thrilled to read anything that I wrote. Thinking on that, I wonder if I still have her contact information.

Anyways, that spark stayed in my bones as over the next few years I started to write my first book Scars and Scales, I only had time to make a paragraph here and there while I went to college. Unfortunately, during the beginning of my third year my leg ended up needing surgery, effectively draining my account of any money for school. It brought my drive to my original plan of becoming a music teacher to a halt. With this time to stop and look at my plan, I realized that I still could feel that electricity in my body. I felt more like me when I sat down and wrote rather than when I was doing my studies. With a new found vigor, my book became complete before I gave it to my fiancee for an edit. Nervously I waited for her feedback when, to my relief, she came back that I was entertaining and interesting. After pointing out my mistakes, the next few months were spent polishing the story. At long last while visiting her mom in Florida, I had gotten to a point where the book was at its best. Now, at that point that was going to be it. I more wrote this to empty out the space in my head to allow more ideas to flood in. It was not until talking with my fiancee and other friends that I was inspired to try to get this book published. At the moment, that has not happened yet. However, my drive and hope does not waiver. My dream will be achieved.

And what is that dream you ask? It is much simpler than you think. All my life, all I have wanted is a job that a thoroughly enjoy, a house that I design, and a loving wife that I can spend my life loving right back. One part of this dream has been achieved and another is in the works of becoming reality. I would say that it was pretty good year over all, in no small part to my family, friends, and fiancee who support me. Not to mention those who enjoy my writing and share it with others across the web. I thank you as my goal is almost within sight. May you all remember and recognize what is important in each of your lives.