As a young child, I discovered a worn blue folder that contained a book that my father, my hero, had written but never published. I was awestruck and my interest in writing began.

Throughout my life, telling myself and my children stories has been a passion. My daydreams are filled with adventure, suspense, romance, and comedy. But in the real world, there is sometimes little time for those things. I have a son, Bryan, who was born with left frontal dysplaysia. At three he had to have a section of his brain removed. The experience, although trying beyond anything I thought I could endure, brought me closer to my Savior and confirmed my now unshakeable testimony. The surgery was a miracle. After up to 23 seizures a day, Bryan was finally seizure-free.

About a year later, I learned that one of my favorite authors, Kerry Blair, would be at a book signing. I went, and before I knew it, was confessing to her that I had always wanted to write a book. We talked about many things that day, but one that has always stood out in my mind was her saying that if you can tell a really good story, with a little work you can write a really good book.

Where to start? I had no self-confidence, let alone any kind of education that would help. Nevertheless, my parents and others assured me that I had a good idea and that it would never go anywhere if I didn't try.

At that same time, we discovered that my sweet mother was suffering from cancer of the bone marrow. Since it hadn't been detected for more than two years, it was terminal. My heart was broken. Each month after she had chemo treatments, I stayed with her to help through the worst part while my dad worked. This took great sacrifice on the part of my older son, Tyler, and my husband, Brad. My husband used vacation days and sick leave and Tyler gave up friends and after-school activities to help care for Bryan and our home.

While my mother rested, I went into her office and started my book. When my father came home, we sat around and discussed what I had written. My parents' advice and ideas were invaluable.

At first, I knew little more than how to turn on a computer, so I wrote the manuscript out by hand—six notepads in all. I was still haunted by insecurity and plagued by a lack of time. It was difficult to write between visits to my mother's. My life was filled with doctor appointments—not to mention the usual things like being a wife, mom, homemaker, employee, and church worker!

Kerry offered to type the manuscript for me, but I didn't want to impose. finally, she and Brad taught me how to use the computer and save my work on a disk. She set up my e-mail address and spent time encouraging and helping with formatting. I was on my way, but still using a hunt-and-peck method of typing.

Towards the end of the book, Bryan started having seizures again. Between my mother and my son, I felt the world had crashed. My typing was slow and monotonous. Heartache and stress made sleeping a rare but precious commodity. I spent many hours of long, sleepless nights writing. I wrote any time I could grab a few minutes.

Somehow, I finished the manuscript and sent it to Covenant. Two months later, I got a call from Shauna Nelson, the managing editor. My book would be published. I laughed and cried so hard I could scarcely speak.

Through my first book's road to publication, my mother's cancer has slowly taken over her body. My son has had two more brain surgeries, and I have discovered that my make-believe world has a power all its own.

When life seems too difficult to bear, I flip on the computer and enter a world where anything is possible. There, life is surely difficult, but struggles are conquered and success is sure. Writing gives me strength. When I turn the computer back off, I am rejuvenated and ready to face reality.

I sincerely believe that my book was more a blessing than a matter of talent. My Father in Heaven knew how much I needed this gift. I am so grateful to Him, to my parents who taught me to believe in my dreams, and to my husband and sons who have made all those dreams come true.

Jeri Gilchrist's first published novel, Out of Nowhere, was released on June 1, 2003. She is a member of the "Ladies of the Lake" chapter in Salt Lake City.