I knew from the age of eleven, I wanted to be a writer. I began by writing short stories about
Tarzan, who got captured and the only way he could free himself was to call on the ants to chew
through his ropes. Okay. I was eleven! Then I wrote plays for my neighborhood friends, parts
even requiring ballet dance from kids who never took a class. Mom always prepared cookies for
the shows we put on in the basement. But it was fun. At least I hope mom and dad were laughing
with us and not at us! Probably a little of both.

I stopped writing when college became more than a handful and my focus was my career. But
afterward, God brought me back to His house, and his work. The pastor of my church asked me
to start a drama ministry. I didn’t hesitate and said yes. But I did have a problem. Well, not a bad
problem. I wanted to take scriptures we all know and love and tell the same story through the
backstory—to take a story we all know and love and tell it from the perspective of a lesser-
known character in the story. Andrew’s Gift and the Untold Miracles in Bethlehem was penned
telling the story of the innkeeper’s son and how their lives were transformed when the Holy
Family living in their stable.

Now, years later, He has given me another novel idea. I know this gift I had for so long came
from him. All of us are given talents, some more than one. Writing is my gift. And writing is an
act of worship.

When did you start to write? What motivates you? Are you aware your talent is a precious gift
from God? And finally, how are you taking his gift and using it to transform, to touch, others
who read your words given you by his hand?