the first year or so, I simply thought about it. But then the story became so strong I had no choice but to put it to paper. It was the same with my second book "Behind The Columns". I know this sounds strange, but once I start writing, my stories literally take over. For instance, with "A World Of His Own: In The Land Of The Creoles", I never thought Gabrielle would have the terrible problems she ended up with - that wasn't at all how the story was supposed to play out. But Gabrielle was so headstrong and willful that I simply couldn't control her! Another thing I find interesting - my characters pick their own names. And if I don't give them the name they want, the story will simply stop until I do! Go figure. I have found I truly love writing. For one thing, it is never lonely and it is most certainly *never* boring! How could it be? I have so many interesting people to spend time with - Andre, Julie and Jean Lafitte from my first book and Desiree, Lance and all the others from my second, not to mention all the wonderful and funny characters from my upcoming books. This year I entered my book "A World Of His Own-In The Land Of The Creoles" in the Readers Favorite Author Book Contest and I won second place in the Fiction-Historical/Cultural. My review was wonderful as my book was rated 5 all across the