After spending 43 years running an executive coaching practice, I never imagined that one of my later-life reinventions would involve writing fantasy adventure stories for middle-grade readers. Yet somewhere along the way, an idea quietly appeared and refused to leave me alone.
What began as a single imaginative concept eventually became my first children’s book, The Day the Picture Spoke—and then, unexpectedly, grew into a full series: first three books, and now three more.
The story follows a young girl named Ella who discovers that certain photographs are more than pictures — they are portals into other worlds filled with mystery, adventure, friendship, and unexpected life lessons.
What has surprised me most is that adults seem to connect with it almost as deeply as children do. One reader told me it reminded her of the wonder we slowly lose while “busy growing up.” I thought that was beautifully said.
Children, on the other hand, seem to instinctively understand the magic. They don’t question whether wonder exists—they simply step into it.
In many ways, writing these books reminded me that we never outgrow imagination — we just stop giving ourselves permission to use it.
At 78, I certainly didn’t expect to become a children’s author, but life has a way of opening doors we never planned to walk through.
Apparently reinvention has no expiration date.
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