Cher Gatto

I never meant to be a writer. It's something that happened to me when I wasn't looking. Our family lived in Mexico developing a horse ranch for kids in poor areas, at-risk youth, and broken families. Our co-workers ran a women’s shelter, and we used the horses to love on them. I say “women’s” shelter, but most were children (13, 14, 15 years old) trying to raise babies of their own. Many of the babies a result of abuse, rape, or incest. Some had been drawn out of trafficking. Their stories tragic and incomprehensible. About a year after we got on the field, the shelter closed down for a dangerous breach in security. All the girls were sent back to where they came from. We could do nothing. Nothing at all, but watch them go. A few months later, I saw one of the girls at church escorted by her “father.” When our eyes met, the vacancy in hers shattered my heart. I will never forget it. And one day, while I was cleaning a horse corral, I had Billy’s story. I hid myself away whenever I could for months and wrote furiously. I had no idea how the story would unfold, but four hundred and fifty pages later, I was done. I guess it was all in there, needing to come out. To help me process life through it. And offer another ending. One I could control. A redemption to the brokenness and depravity. Billy's journey gave me the key to process and heal from things I saw around me but couldn't change. Things that broke my heart. I needed a different ending--a redemption. I thought I was done. One story in me, and that was it. But one turned into several, and I am hooked. As of today, I am finished with my second novel, REGENT, and have started Billy's sequel. I'd love to hear from you and find out about your own journey! Cher