"I could tell you what I do but I'd rather tell you who I am."   From the time my hands formed around a pen I quickly discovered my passion! Unfortunately like many, I didn't realize this gift until I reached about 32. The reason for that is a common one, - we often search out a vocation in terms of monitary value and/or sometimes, if not most, to suffice a vision that isn't even our's to begin with. Most all my life I have gravitated towards poems, lyrics and short stories. For a good portion of my youth I also sang in bands and played guitar and piano. I believe my musical talent may be a direct result of being the grand daughter of the late Bob Eberly (from the 1930's Big Band Era)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmDnkWfeIvE. He is greatly missed!  I love piano and I absolutely love to sing, although there is nothing I do, that I do in It's full glory then when that ink hits the parchment! There, I am home and flowing in my God given talent. After I write a piece of work, many times  I am even awed,! I look up and I smile, while chills run across my arms and I say; Thank You! It is "what you do" that holds the joy of your attention, that you were "called to do!" There is a great beauty in writing and a permanence like nothing else. Whether my name becomes well known or not is not my intention. What makes my heart sing and dance is when my words have left their mark on your heart and mind. "I'de rather be known by five people who remembered a passage I wrote that inspired them to reach higher, than to be known by the whole world because of my mechanical writing elequence!" My name is Michelle lee Schaeffer, I am a Writer.  (A.k.a:  The Poet in The Vine)        

Editors Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry 2005 and was published in "Both Sides Now" news journal out of Tyler, Texas,2006.