First child of a career Marine, Celia always made up stories to keep herself entertained. The one constant in all the places she moved was the library. A love affair with books began early and continues today. Her mother encouraged her reading. The Diet Coke contest was a way to express to her terminally ill father-in-law her deepest desire for him to have one more "normal" day. Winning the contest opened the floodgates of writing and it hasn't stopped.