About Me

Teachers who go the extra mile to encourage, uplift, and inspire their students by showing them that they have worth and value, who take the time and effort to teach and guide, CAN and DO make an incredible difference in the lives of their students.

As a matter of fact, the influence of an amazing teacher can be life-changing.

One such teacher for me was, Marion Joyce Johnson, my high school, creative-writing teacher. Mrs. Johnson influenced my journey to becoming an author.

Mrs. Johnson encouraged my passion to write, provided opportunities to stretch my writing ability, and made it possible for me to meet real-life authors as a teen–feeding my desire to one day become a published author.

Oh, and when I announced my engagement at almost 18 years old, she rolled her eyes at me and pronounced me, “Too smart to get married so young.” When I asked her to explain what she meant, she said, “You’ll get married, have a bunch of kids, and not write your books.” Then she steeled her gaze on me and stabbed a scolding finger,
“… and you really need to write your books.”

I shook my head and waved away the notion that marrying would stop my writing career, assuring her, “Mrs. Johnson, I can do it all—I can be an author, a wife, and a mother. I PROMISE. I’ll write the books.”

Fast forward 12 years … I had 5 kids and had fostered over 100 kids, but had written no books, and saw her for the last time alive. She passed away two years later in 1999. Eight years later, I heard Mrs. Johnson’s voice say, “So, Monique, when were you going to right those books, hmmm?”

A little stunned, I ignored the question. But Mrs. Johnson was not one to be ignored.

She asked me twice more over the next few days. The third time she asked, I realized that I had a promise to keep. So, pregnant with my 12th and last child, I started writing the first version of the Ginnie West Adventure series (a lousy version, but I was determined to keep my promise.)

While I had intended to start my writing career sooner, I also realized that spending the years I did as a wife, mom, and foster mom helped me write the Ginnie West series in a way that better empowers kids and adults alike. So I try not to have regrets.

To quote a good friend, James A. Owen, author, motivational speaker, artist, and illustrator of his book, Drawing Out The Dragons, “If everything in the past has value, then there’s no reason for regret, ever. With no regret and no fear, there’s nothing left but possibility, and joy. And the realization that it is a wonderful world we live in, after all.”

And here is what I learned: When you do the right things–the things you know you need to do–and keep the promises you make, the right teachers and mentors show up in your life when you need them to.

Amazing authors showed me what I was doing right, what I was doing wrong, and five years later, a much better version of my book was ready to be published.

Because Mrs. Johnson went the extra mile and reminded me of my promise 8 years after she passed away—I felt it only fitting that I should make her a character in this book: Trouble Blows West: A Ginnie West Adventure.

Mrs. Johnson, the character, guides Ginnie West, through a troubled time, realizing that while Ginnie is a loyal and protective friend to her BFF, Tillie, Ginnie also has the power to influence those around her for good, and that she has the capacity within her to befriend the biggest bully in 6th grade—whether she wants to or not.

So, I end this dedication where I began, by praising the teachers who magnify their callings by uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging the students within their realm of influence to go forward and do great things, dream impossible dreams, and make magic happen wherever they can.

And to those who didn’t have such a teacher in their life, I give you permission to BE that teacher. I’d like to quote Walt Disney, who often said. “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Walt was told once that he would never be successful because he “lacked imagination.” Hmmm.

Another lesson—don’t give other people the power to your success and happiness—unless you know they are positively influenced to help you achieve it.

Laugh lots … Love much … Write on! 🙂

~~ Monique Bucheger ~~