Noticing Newbies

Hi Esteemed Writers!

I've been writing since third grade. Here's a sample; my first poem from 3rd grade:

The best friend I ever had,
Guess who? It's my dad.

I love him and he loves me.
So, we live together, happily!

My parents could not keep me stocked well enough with composition books, pens, pencils, index cards, anything I could use to organize my poems and storybooks. Everyday when I got home from school I wrote until bedtime. Sometimes, I continued writing under the covers with a flashlight!

Writing saved my life during my tumultuous teen years, literally!
I was a cross between a hippie and a beatnik in the 70s. Kids gathered at my house to smoke in "the circle" and share poetry readings.

Unfortunately, when I left home to marry, my mother didn't appreciate the fact that I left all "those boxes" in the storage closet and she threw away all my work! AGONY!

I embarked upon and embraced my career of motherhood, followed by hairdresser, followed by psychotherapist. Now, I'm beginning private practice, allowing myself more time for all those stories hidden deep inside, all these years!

Good enough. A shrink friend of mine told me awhile back, "Don't write ANY of these books you’re talking to me about until you no longer need agency work. You'll lose credibility in public service if you publish these. But in private practice, you'll gain credibility, marketability, genuineness, and intrigue. So, my time seems to have arrived and so, here I am!

Please, support me and I promise I'll support you, as well! It's great to land here!


Tina L. Kotlensky, M. A.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapist
Mental Health Counselor & Consultant
Life Skills Coach & Motivational Speaker
Poet & Aspiring Author