Albert Camus once said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” Flannery O’Conner said, “I write to discover what I know.” Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?

My escape was books. When I discovered Valdemar (Mercedes Lackey), with its glorious white companions, these magical horses that spoke to their chosen, it was like finding a place where I was home. I read romance novels because they gave me the happy ever after, even as a pre-teen, that I wasn’t finding in real life. In a world where I endured severe bullying and emotional abuse, books and reading were my solace. And I knew, even at a young age, that I wanted to bring that kind of safe harbor to others. I wanted to write the stories that took them away from their lives.

And that’s why I write. I write the kind of stories I love, the ones that sweep me away from it all and wrap me up in a fictional world where everything seems to come out okay. During these turbulent times, this seems so much more important than ever. And I write because I want to bring that to others. To bring them comfort and joy. To wrap them up in hope and belief. Even when they don’t feel as if they have any at the moment.

Writing for me is a very personal act. It’s something I have to do. And I hope my readers enjoy it.

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