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Remember when heroes of the comics used their brains to solve crimes?  When the criminals were sent to jail instead of being blown up, shot, or beaten to death?  That return to the classics was a seed in my mind for a long time.

For more years than I can clearly remember I was writing stories in notebooks.  Stories that had a few thing in common, the biggest common factor was they all were unfinished.  That is when I knew I had to prove something to myself; I could write a story start to finish.

One borrowed laptop, an over active imagination, and a love for super heroes later there was book.  That is when the real fun began.  I had to call my Aunt Sally to tell her about my accomplishment.  Sally had been threatening to record the stuff that came out of my mouth since I could talk, so I had to inform her that it was too late.  Then she of course just has to read it.  A little tip for all you would-be writers, when you send a text to a retired teacher expect that when you get it back there will be a least two pen's worth of red ink in corrections.

So now I have my proof.  It is marked all ready for editing, I could call it a day.  Only my brain got the bug in it that it would cool to have the book edited for those rare occasions that I might be reading to my cousin's kids.

Now comes yet another important person to the road that led to my book getting published.  In one of my many big mouth, share everything and anything moments with a girlfriend I tell her about the story.  Next thing I know she is telling me that I should submit my work to this publishing website she found.

When I did I kept remembering all the stories of the greats that had their works rejected for years before they got their words published.  So when Publish America accepted my book I was surprised and sure that there was a catch.  There was none, other than if I wanted the book to get from the store shelves into people's hands I needed to be willing to work at getting them sold.

Here is the thing about the book, it taught me about real heroes.  They are not the ones that wear capes and masks.  They don't come from different planets or get trapped in radio active accidents.  They are the people in your life that support and encourage you.  The teachers that take that extra time to explain something to you.  The friend that doesn't let you give up and are there for every laugh and tear.  Heroes sit at the kitchen table asking a million questions about your day.  The bravest heroes do wear uniforms though. They risk their lives in burning buildings, spend hours in hospitals, protect us on our streets and in foreign countries.  The reason that they do this is not for fame and glory.  They do it because they know that each and every one of us is worth something.

One thing that I try and focus on when I sign a book for someone is for them to look for the everyday heroes in their lives.  So here is a clue to where to look, start with those annoying people that tell you to eat your vegetables or that you need to be home by ten.  Then look at the person that you call when everything is great and just have to talk to when the world is against you.  Finally try searching the front of your classroom or at the desk by you at work.  When you find them be sure you thank them.  Tell them how they are a hero to you.  Chances are that you may just be returning the favor and being a hero to them.  Teachers need to be reminded every once and again that they are doing it for a reason.  Parents may seem like the enemy, that does not mean they are.  Even friends seem to just forget that they can be taking for granted the other person will always be there.

Thank you to all those who have been with me for the trials of my life.  Thank you for the teachers I frustrated.  Thank you to those friends that became family.  Most importantly thank you Mom and Dad for all you have done.  You are all my heroes.