You all may know that in five years of sharing Made It Moments, I always introduce them. I tease out a strand or forge a connection to this business we’re in, this passion of ours, that of writing. But today, for the first time, I won’t. It’s not because Andrea Adams didn’t touch me when I met her at the Mechanicsburg Mystery Conference–far from it; she actually impressed me greatly. It’s because any words I might provide would add nothing to the majesty of what Andrea says. You have to read it, and you’ll understand.

Two months ago, I received the biggest O-M-G moment of my life. There I was, standing before cameras at ABC 27’s Good Day PA talking to viewers about my two published novels. The feeling was, in a word, surreal. I kept wondering how I got there. Was I deserving of an “I made it” moment?

My story actually begins seventeen years ago on a warm, summer’s evening. There I was — fresh out of college and dating the most popular guy from high school. He was a blond-haired, blue-eyed Adonis. I had secretly had a crush on him during my younger years, so I was over the moon that he asked me out on a date. I thought that I was special. I thought that I was hip. We went to a party with his friends. I wish I could say that I enjoyed myself. I wish that I could say I fit in with everyone around me and that I made new friends. Instead, that night is one from which I am still recovering.

In the space of a few breaths, the guy whom I had put such faith in destroyed any hope that I ever had of finding a normal relationship for years to come. Instead of sharing stolen kisses by the pool, he raped me on a cold, basement floor. Instead of going to the police or to a hospital for help, I did what most victims do. I blamed myself.

For years to come, I shied away from the opposite sex — never letting them close enough to hear the truth. To add to all of this pain, a good friend of mine, on whom I had the beginnings of a mutual chemistry, passed away from complications of diabetes. Again, I blamed myself. I thought if I hadn’t pushed him away and that if I had only told him how I truly felt; then he would still be alive.

It wasn’t until years later after watching a romantic movie that I finally began to deal with all of these tragedies. I left the film in a daze. My heart was suddenly overflowing with emotion. I knew that I had to do something. That is when I picked up the pen.

The words suddenly came tumbling out of me in a deluge. I weaved painful truths among a fictional tale of intrigue, murder, and romance. I forced myself to finally deal with my inner demons. I suppose that you can say this was my made it moment. It was the point where I chose to reclaim myself.

People say to me all the time, “Why did you choose writing?” My response is always the same. Writing chose me. It is a gift to be able to share my story with others. And if this book can somehow help others who have gone through similar tragedies – well, then that is the most powerful blessing of all.

Author Andrea Adams is a 1997 graduate of Shippensburg University. She is a full-time office employee who currently resides in Carlisle, PA. In 2012, she was named Ahold USA’s Associate of the Year. She has received a competent communicator award from Toastmaster’s International. In addition to her full time employment and promoting her work, Andrea enjoys her part time job as a retail employee at the local Cracker Barrel. In her spare time, her passions include hiking, reading, and most of all writing. She is delighted to have the opportunity to share her newfound gift with others.