I am, and have been, an avid reader since I was quite young. There have periodically been stories that have captured my imagination so completely that I yearned to know more about the characters, their stories, and things they experienced beyond what was on the pages included in the book (or, sometimes, the movies). Then I discovered FanFiction. With one story, I no longer felt like a misfit! There were others out there who felt as I did -- that these beloved characters experienced so much more than the original author was able to share with us! No longer did I feel I was quietly losing my mind, thinking and dreaming about the characters in my current favorite book, wondering what they would do or say in different situations. Here was an entire site dedicated to the creativity of those who were doing what I was doing, only they had taken the time to spell it out and share it with the world!

Now, after several years of enjoying continuations, sequels, and alternate endings of some of my favorite stories, I am compelled to return the favor. I am trying my hand at writing an alternate ending to one of my favorite stories, Jane Austen's "Persuasion." Granted, my love of the story is based largely on the 1995 movie staring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds -- both as indelibly imprinted in my mind as Colin Firth as the permanent face of their respective Austen characters -- than the book, which I have only just begun reading. But there is something about it this time that has gotten me wondering what would have, could have happened to reunite Anne and Frederick earlier than Miss Austen did. It played around and simmered in my mind until I found myself one evening jotting down my thoughts. That led to more thoughts, which led to a basic storyline. I moved to the computer and endeavored to have my fingers keep up with my mind as more of the story poured from me. Eventually, I began tidying it up and suddenly I had a chapter!

I am not quite sure how it happened, but happen it did, and I realized I needed to share my effort at storytelling with those who had shared with me. So, I posted that first chapter and did not think much about it. However, within 24 hours, I had hits on it from 9 or 10 different countries, and from almost 50 people! That isn't many by cyber-comparison, but I was impressed that my little story could have attracted that many hits in just one full day! And people have tagged it to come back to read more! That compelled me to get to work on the next chapter!

I hope you like my work. Please do not hesitate to offer constructive criticism as that is what helps a writer grow. I have many stories within me aching to be released. FanFiction will help me determine if I would be able to pursue my writing dreams on a larger scale. I do not know if I will write more beyond my "Bright Horizons," but I never know when characters will knock on my door and request that I share their stories, so I will never say this is the one or the only.

Thank you for your support!