When I was five, my dad offered to pay me a penny for every correctly-spelled word if I’d write him a story. That was the beginning. Old ladies with shotguns across their laps, man-eating crabs, and families named Finnerin paved my way to Gracie’s, the Five and Dime store where a nickel still bought a Charleston Chew.

Decades later, after working on Wall Street, traveling the world, raising three children, after divorce, new love, and shocking loss, I’m still writing stories, now drawing on my own experiences to write about it all in Personal Essay, CNF, and Memoir.

On my CV, it says, “finance,” because that’s what I’m trained to do. But when I think of myself, I’m still that kid writing for pennies.

Follow me on Instagram @Kathrynsmithstories, or email me at writetokathysmith@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.
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