I delayed writing publically for a long time because I thought I had nothing to say to a group of people I hadn’t yet met. That’s why I only wrote letters to individuals to encourage them in the midst of problems I knew they were having. I only wrote these letters to people I knew well — maybe better than anyone else knew them. I couldn’t imagine trying to write a book.

The advent of the internet allowed me to experiment with writing for a wider audience. Then I found some of the experiences that changed my life also seemed to help others — especially the post I wrote about my daughter’s suicide. I’m still not ready to write a book because I haven’t found my topic. But I do know that my words, private or public, can make a difference.