Well, like every author out there, I was a reader first — an avid, speed-reading fiction addict! From a young age, I devoured books. By my teen years, I was reading classics of literature, science fiction, and fantasy. But I never really thought about writing books. That was for creative geniuses.I was trained as a singer of opera, oratorio, and Art Songs. I made a living (of sorts) singing professionally in choirs, as a church soloist, and as a concert soloist. Of course, there was always a day job, to help pay the bills. Then I became a mother, and the world shifted dramatically.Suddenly, I wanted a steady career and a chance to build a nest for my babies. I became a high school Music and English teacher. I taught in a big, cosmopolitan city, a northern rural school, and in a mid-sized steel town. There were days when it just about killed me, but it was also the making of me. I enjoyed the friendship of many creative, enthusiastic educators and was inspired by the spirit and promise of so many young people. I learned something every single day. For twenty-eight years, I helped other people create and build something for themselves, whether it was an essay, a musical performance, or a vision of their future.Then I retired, and my own desire to create kicked in full-force! I wrote music, thinking I’d try my hand at writing a musical theatre production. But what I actually found myself doing, much to my surprise, was writing my first novel — and I loved it! Every time I sit down to write, I am reminded that the whole point of it, at the end of the day, is the joy of the creative process and the mining of unexpected little gems of humour, characterization, and plot-building as I tell myself a story. I (really) hope that someone reads what I’ve written, and that they enjoy it (pleaseplease), but if no one ever reads it, at least I had the fun of pulling it up and out of myself. I can look at it on the page and think "I created that! It’s all mine!"I live in Hamilton, Ontario now. My kids have long-since become adults. My husband Dave Walker (who has always been a creative guy himself) has been busy writing his hilarious and heartfelt fiction series, Steeltown Chronicles. Check out his novels here on Kindle, on Kobo, and on his website: www.davewalkerauthor.com. Dave and I spend inordinate amounts of time talking about punctuation and website-building and the minutiae of story-telling. When I’m not pulling my hair out, it’s the best thing in the world. I’m grateful to be able to take the time to focus on my own creative spirit, now.To learn more, and to read my blog, visit my website: www.annelouisedarling.comRead more about this authorRead less about this author