My stories and poems are inspired by many things: by experiences, by memories, by family, by places I've lived, by places I visit, by jobs I've had, by books I've read, and by people I've met along the way. I find that inspiration is everywhere, if you are watching and listening.

A writer's life can be a solitary and challenging one. Rejection is a significant part of it. So, I also find inspiration and encouragement in the lives and words of other artists and creative souls.

Below are images and words that help light the way.

I cut the quote above out of a magazine years ago.

I keep this Picasso quote taped to my Idea Box.

The image above is of the painting "Rompeolas de San Sebastian" by Joaquin Sorolla. It’s housed at the Sorolla Museum in Madrid.

The photo above is of the same spot in San Sebastian pictured in the Sorolla painting. I took the photo before I had ever seen the painting. Very cool.

The image above is from the photography collection at the Sorolla Museum. I love this image of the artist painting on the beach. One of the quotes about Sorolla said, "His daily existence was a tranquil, laborious one like that of the old painter monks, Renaissance neighbours, who worked in their monasteries in the holy calm of artistic fervour."