The book illuminates the influence of family members, both good and bad. How did your childhood in Fort Worth influence you? My childhood was pretty ordinary. I was born to older parents who never thought they'd have a second child, and they doted on me. It was a wonderful, stable, faith-based life. We were happy. … [Today] my inspiration is to have a clear conscience - to know that I can continue to enjoy life and enjoy the small things and try not to worry. I will follow where God directs me.
What is your creative process like? After everything I went through, I kept thinking, "I want to write this down." It was healing to put it all on paper. But I put it away after two years because it was too painful. Then I ran into an old friend I hadn't seen for 20 years [contributor Wilma Martin Turner]. She didn't have all the knowledge of the situation, but she helped me. I'd give her my notes, and we'd go back and forth. I was in Destin and she was in Atlanta, so we'd meet up for day trips or mail notes back and forth. It took 5.5 years.
What can we learn from your experience? You can't keep on chasing rabbits. You don't know the end results of those "if onlys." Keep going forward and seeking guidance - and put your past behind you.
