Joanna author of: Ghost From the Past, Captives, Queen of Hearts, A Bond So Strong, and Wild Rose.

"Fool!" said my muse to me, "Look into thy heart and write!"

Well, despite the fact I'm probably eligible for commitment into any institution that hands out straight jackets, I guess I'm your average, everyday, Young Rider fanatic! I'm 20, I go to college (which incidentally makes me nocturnal, you know), and I work in the Writing Centre at school tutoring people who need help with writing, which is really cool…as long as they don't ask me about spelling-or commas ( I have a fear of commas), or anything really important. Actually, it is an awesome opportunity to work with a brilliant professor and to improve my own writing. And believe me, it can use a lot of improvement!

I've been writing Young Rider fan fiction since before I knew there was such a thing. When I was younger, I would be dissatisfied with how a situation was handled in the show, and decide to take matters into my own hands, literally. I have tons of notebooks from around 8th grade filled with cover to cover stories in my chicken scratch. In fact, the original idea for Captives came to me right after I saw "Colorblind" for the first time and decided Jimmy and Lou were truly soul mates. I was also mad at Kid, (my then favorite rider) for liking Samantha, and thought he deserved to be punished! I think my favorite character is Callie, from Queen of Hearts, because she's a bit of a brat, and unfortunately, I guess I can be too! LOL!

I can't remember the time when I didn't love the show. I can remember clinging onto the back of my horse Rio, with empty saddlebags strapped to the back of the saddle while we flew through these curvy trails at break neck speed to avoid the "outlaws" or the corrupt "militia" on our tails. Of course, there was the time I talked my friend into learning the hand off, and when she tossed the saddlebags at me, my horse freaked out and spooked, and I pretty much ended up on my head. I never did perfect that move! I just shot a gun for the first time the other day, and I was so disappointed. I was sure I'd be just like Wild Bill, but unfortunately, I can't hit a bucket ten feet away more than once in 15 tries. Apparently, I'm not a natural.

I too, was so scared to post anything for anyone else to read. I can't think of one person who'd read a complete story by me before I posted Ghost of the Past. But the feedback is one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever encountered, and it has given me such inspiration and motivation! I think hearing from all of the wonderful people out there who take that time to write in has helped me to realize my full passion for writing! I've even got a Writing Minor now so that I can pursue my love in school as well! Fan Fiction has given me the incredible opportunity to learn so much from wonderful people from every corner of this Earth, and I can't think of a greater gift!

Thanks so much to everyone for your support and friendship! You guys are truly incredible! Ride Safe! Oh! And Monkey Doodle? (that's Kirst) You'd better watch out for those carrots! They are DEADLY!

Joanna