After 30 years-plus in journalism, I set out on a different course in pursuing writing. I earned first a Masters of Liberal Studies from Fort Hays State University in Kansas, and with this credential, I started teaching freshman composition courses at West Texas State University and Amarillo College. Because of a glut of English doctorates, I was unable to get off the adjunct tract to teach full time, nor did I have sufficient time to adequately pursue my interests in creative writing. Thus, I entered the MFA program at the University of New Orleans to learn how to translate ideas for stories into stories. The skill I learned in journalism, listening to understand people, translates well in creating characters and giving them voice. To become a writer, I have this advice: Survive an interesting life.