Why I Write

I was thirteen years old when I saw this picture for the first time. It was hanging on the wall of my seventh grade chemistry teacher's wall.  I don't know why  he had it there- I see no correlation between it and chemistry. However, whenever I saw this picture, my mind wandered. I suppose I did what most people do when they see this picture. I asked questions; Who is she? What is she feeling? Why is she feeling it? What does she want? Is she scared, hungry, determined, etc?  I wondered each time I went into the class and saw this picture. I wondered to the point of it driving me crazy so I had to find some answers.  

This was pre-internet days, so there wasn't a simple way for me to find answers. So, I made them up.
I gave this girl a name, a back story, a purpose and then, each time I went into the class, the story continued and grew.
Very Presumptious of me, I know. But I did.
And I loved making the story. I loved how it drew me in. I loved how it made me feel. I suppose I liked the power in it- the power of storytelling.

And I have been writing ever since, though, I confess the stories are getting better. :)