Writing lets me make a difference...

I believe it is important to give back.
 
I believe each of us can make a difference.

What if you knew of seven little bright minds who are just starting out in life.

The do not have much.  They are homeless.

What if by giving them a brown bag lunch,  they could go spend a day in a forest with an incredible teacher that loves her students.

The way I did it, was to donate healthy brown bag lunches so that a group of homeless children all under the age of six could spend a day in the forest.  I also gave them each a little notebook and a box of 24 crayons. (Future writers?)  They each received a gold badge for becoming an "Official Forest Explorer".

I can tell you what happens... These little kid's minds were filled with possibilities.  They made colored pictures of things they saw in the forest in their little spiral notebook.  They connected to something bigger than their daily struggles.

Thank you Ms. Meyers for allowing me to help, and for your dedicated love of children.

I am making her an official Member of the Aggi Network.

The next book...

It is so interesting how it works... writing the second book.  It is like painting.  There is a time when you just move on.  I had some pieces that just didn't fit in my first book, so I set them aside. But it makes sense now, they were for the second book.  My story about Aggi is not done yet.  She has so much more to say and to do.  It is very exciting writing for her when she is further along in her process.  How does it work for you? 

Questions about me...

When did I start writing?

Secretly... a few years.

Why not before?

I never thought I could.  When I was growing up, my mom gave my spelling books and homework to my little brothers because they would be president someday.  I would marry a rich man.

What changed?

I did.  I had a life changing experience three years ago.  I decided to face my fears and live.  It is not always easy, but I am grateful for every moment.  

How did AGGI start?

I was sitting at the dinner table with my children.  We were talking about weird things parents say to their kids and they simply believe them.  An example is, a watermelon will grow in your stomach if you eat the seeds.  Think about it... that is scary!

That is when my character Aggi popped into my head.  She was born, and now I need to tell her story.

Comfort zone

One of the scariest things I have ever done is to put my private words into the public.  It is terrifying.  All my insecurities fill me sometimes until it takes my breath.  Even this blog is not easy.  I want to grow.  I want to follow my passion, so I will push myself past what is known, what is comfortable.  I put this into my writing.  Somehow, it takes it away from me.  It becomes part of Aggi.