As a young girl growing up in Philadelphia, PA, I realized I loved to tell stories and was more comfortable writing than speaking. From short stories to poetry, and writing letters to my family and friends who lived afar, writing was home. Unfortunately, my guidance counselor advised me to seek a more lucrative career because “There’s no real money in writing.” Therefore, I did not follow my heart until many, many years later. Until then, I worked as a defense contractor for several years, then directly for the Department of Defense.