This article was originally written for The Visionary Fiction Allianceand posted on their website in two parts. It’s one of the most important and, for me, most cathartic pieces I’ve ever written. It helped clarify why I’ve always wanted to write, why I’m passionate about the power of storytelling, and why I will probably still be churning out words when I’m 90! I hope you find it interesting!

It’s estimated that nearly 130 million books have been published in mode...