After decades of writing motivational quotes and self-help books, I discovered a new way to share life’s lessons—through the power of story.

For nearly 25 years, I worked in administrative ministry—a world filled with challenges, opportunities, and the constant call to lead with grace and excellence. Over time, I realized that the lessons I’d learned could help others navigate similar paths, so I decided to write my first book. It started as a teaching tool for ministry leaders, a guide to thriving in an environment that can often be as complex as it is rewarding. To my delight, the book resonated with readers and did well, affirming that sharing practical guidance and personal insight could truly make a difference.

Ministry also led me to personal and professional life coaching. That’s when my journey in writing self-help truly began. The compassion and insight developed from years in ministry allowed me to build a coaching practice that was both fulfilling and, thankfully, fairly successful. From that work came two self-help books focused on personal development for women—tools designed to inspire growth, confidence, and resilience.

While coaching and writing self-help allowed me to teach, I realized that fiction could show—rather than tell—the lessons I’d learned over decades. I had long been crafting stories fueled by imagination, but I knew that if I wanted to share them with the world, they needed to be relatable, entertaining, and filled with resilient, passionate characters. I wanted readers to be drawn in, to see reflections of themselves in the stories, and to feel both entertained and inspired.

And so, my entry into the world of fiction has arrived with my first work, A Mixed Bag (12 Short Stories About Life, Love, and Relationships)—a collection that combines imagination with real-life experiences, exploring themes that resonate with anyone navigating the twists and turns of life.

Writing fiction allows me to blend creativity with the insights I’ve gained from years of ministry and coaching. The lessons about resilience, courage, and personal growth that shaped my self-help work now find new expression in characters and stories that readers can see themselves in. It’s a way to reach people not just with advice, but with experiences that touch the heart, spark imagination, and linger in the mind long after the story ends.

Fiction, for me, is not a departure from my previous work; it’s a continuation—an expansion of my mission to inspire, empower, and connect with others. Writing fiction has allowed me to embrace both the heart and the imagination, blending the lessons of real life with the magic of storytelling.

I hope that through A Mixed Bag, readers will find stories that entertain, resonate, and inspire—characters who remind them of their own strength, resilience, and capacity for love. Writing fiction has reminded me that every story matters, and sometimes, the most powerful lessons come not from instruction, but from seeing ourselves reflected in the lives of others.

If you’re ready to laugh, reflect, and see yourself in relatable stories, I invite you to explore A Mixed Bag (12 Short Stories About Life, Love, and Relationships). Life is full of twists, turns, and unexpected lessons—and these stories capture them all.