I struggled for years to make it as a writer. My father told me it was a hobby and pushed me to get a licensed profession. I defied him and got my degree in philosophy. After graduation, I searched for a job in writing. At the same time, I wrote short stories like crazy and sent them off to dozens of magazines. Years passed and I failed to find a job in writing, so I supported myself by waiting tables and bartending. In the meantime, I received tons of rejection letters from the magazines to whom I sent my articles and stories. I was beginning to get discouraged.
Five years zoomed past, and other than a few freelance jobs writing advertising copy, I was no closer to my goal. I was beginning re-think my life, when I recalled the encouraging words from Mrs. Lynn Andersen, my 9th-grade English teacher.
