Born to Write by Michele Young-Stone (Our Newest Girlfriend!)

Not “Born to Run”, like Bruce Springsteen, but “Born to Write”

People often ask, “When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?”

Answer: “I was Born to Write. As soon as I learned the alphabet, I was writing stories.” I’d sit alone in my dad’s smoky den, making up fairytale stories, imagining myself part of this other shinier world.

I was a fat kid with bushy hair and buckteeth. I was always apologizing and worried about what everyone else thought. I was klutzy, having trouble walking ten feet without falling down. (

I now see this same trait in my own son, but at least he can run fast. I could never do that either.)

I’m all grown up now. Hallelujah! But that little fat kid who sat alone and wrote princess stories is still a part of me. She always will be. I invent worlds, and I’m still prone to favor happy endings.

Most recently, I signed a two-book deal with Simon and Schuster, and my debut novel, The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, was chosen as a Target Book Club/Emerging Author pick for the summer.

I always “believed” that I would be published, but with every rejection (and there were thousands), I questioned my talent. The one thing that kept me going was (and is) I WAS BORN TO IT. There was something in me—for as long as I can remember—that compelled me to put stories to paper, and there was a desire and need to share those stories. “Can I read you something?” This was and still is something I say/ask on a pretty regular basis.

I’m amazed every day that I get paid to do what I love. I get to share my stories with the world. My book has an actual Library of Congress ISBN #. It totally blows my mind. I am humbled and grateful. A day never passes where I don’t think, “Wow! My dream came true.” Thanks for reading!!!!!!!

Publisher’s Weekly named The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors as one of the top ten debuts of 2010.

Young-Stone has written an exceptionally rich and sure-handed debut, full of complex characters, brilliantly described. . . . Her style certainly has an electric immediacy." The Boston Globe

Visit Michele at http://micheleyoung-stone.com