#Authorlife

I became an author at 51, here in Costa Rica. It wasn't planned, but I've been writing since elementary school. I had no recollection but my daughter found notebooks of illustrated short stories and poetry in my mother’s basement.

In high-school I wrote for personal expression, as a coping mechanism. It started with short stories, then became poetry in college. My former career required daily writing, but not the type of writing that would set me free. That didn’t happen until CR.

After not being able to write for at least six months in the states (unheard of for me), we relocated. It took a while, but it began to emerge as poetry. Then, short stories. One of those short stories turned into a novel; my debut, Love At Second Sight, started as a short love story. It was my first attempt at fiction.

Then, somehow, I became a podcaster. With a fellow writer, I created the Writing While Black podcast to discuss writing and uplift other Black writers. It's in its third season.

Last week, I just completed the manuscript of my second novel, The Composition Of Evan Jeffries. It is with the editor. This will be my sixth published book.

My creativity was cracked open here. With my nervous system finally at peace and joy breaking through, I am finally walking in my purpose.

It's never too late. Do it.