People are often curious about how I "morphed" into an award-winning writer and journalist. After having had a successful and satisfying career as a senior policymaker and program director at the National Institute of Mental Health in Rockville, Maryland, I yearned to find a more creative and entrepreneurial way to use my talents.

Six years ago, when (then) first lady Hillary Clinton moved to my small hamlet of Chappaqua, in Westchester County, New York, just as I had done five years before her, I spontaneously wrote an essay offering her seasoned advice to ease her adjustment. The piece was sprinkled with names of people and places---tidbits you would share with any new neighbor; it was humorous because the thought of Hillary moving to such a small town after the White House was hard even for me to fathom.

Having never experienced editorial rejection, I fearlessly called the Washington Post and asked for the Style editor. I was transferred to Outlook, the political commentary section that appears on Sundays. A kind editor asked me to fax my manuscript. Several hours later, she faxed back a contract. With some light editing, my memo to Mrs. Clinton was published the next weekend with cartoon-like illustrations that brought the story to life.

The excitement of my first clip and paycheck as a freelance writer was only exceeded by the thrill of all the phone calls I received from old friends and colleagues who were regular readers of the Post. I was hooked! To read my first essay, click here .