I have loved writing since the sixth grade although I started writing longer pieces in order to beat out another student who had written a longer paper than I.  Competitiveness is in my nature.  I want to write to inspire, to guide, to create, but what is more important to me is that my readers learn from and remember my work.  I don't want to be just another book to take on the airplane, but one you take a little bit more from each time you read it.