"Shadow" is the book that started my writing career. It began as a writing prompt from my fourth-grade teacher. The story was about a girl who grows up homeless and becomes famous. After some editing, I sent it to the Young Georgia Author's Competition. It won first place for my state and grade. Upon winning, I attended a board meeting to celebrate the winners, and that's where I met my publisher, Barbara Pierce. She was very interested in my writing and said she wanted to turn my writing into a book. During the Summer Arts Camp that she runs every year, I worked on illustrations. By my birthday, the book was completed and published.