Like many introverts, I express myself best in writing. Through the published page I’ve been able to reach people I might not otherwise meet.

 

I find it gratifying to hear from a reader who connected to the heart of something I wrote. One woman sent a handwritten letter to say that she was encouraged by my inspirational essay about finding a home. An acquaintance framed one of my humor essays and put it on her wall because it made her laugh about her own experiences of rural life. Another person told me that her friend actually tried some of the vintage DIY beauty treatments I lampooned in a humorous piece. That one made me wonder if I should start some of my humor essays with “Don’t try this at home!”

 

All these things remind me that personal essays, whether heartfelt or funny, can go beyond simply telling a story or amusing readers. A well-written essay can give a discouraged person hope, make someone feel understood, or even spur a reader to action (however dubious that action might be).

 

My essays have appeared in Woman’s World, Atlanta Parent, The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop blog, EQUUS, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Loyalhanna Review and other publications.