While I didn't write my first book at the age of 8, I did write my most popular one (most popular with my family, anyway). It was called How Do Ya Like That?

Looking back on it now, I'm pretty sure it was a response to being bullied. Written in first person, it was all about the main character responding back as opposed to silently "taking it" from someone. For example, "I was walking down the street and this lady was walking her dog. I asked her if I could pet it. She said 'No I'm in a hurry.' I kicked her and started petting her dog anyway. Then, I looked at her and said, 'How do ya like that?'" Or, even better, "My friend was eating a cookie and I asked her if I could have a bite. 'No, this is all for me,' she said. I crumbled her cookie and said, 'How do ya like that?"

My family got a tremendous kick out of it - especially my grandfather who always loved a quick wit.

In reality, I was a very well-behaved little girl!

With respect to the bully, I had to go through my own process. She was aggressive- pushy, threatening, made me jump off a structure that was pretty high for kids- about seven feet or a little over two meters. However, one day I realized that I could say "no" to her. There was nothing she could really do (I think I sort of figured out that I was the one who decided to jump as well as kowtow to her every request). One thing that has never changed is, I'm always fascinated by people who feel a strong need to control others.