What books have most influenced your life?
I can never get enough "Angela's Ashes" written by Frank Mccourt. Whenever I feel like I don't have enough and am apt to complaining, I refer back to the book and gives me the motivation and determination to keep going against all odds.

Who are your favorite music artists?
I guess I would be considered an old soul in way since they were a bit before my time, but The Beatles will probably always be my favorite band. I also love the old ballads of Frank Sinatra.

What are your favorite websites and why?
www.wahm.com: The website has not only provided invaluable information and referrals, but it also has some of the most intelligent and helpful members I have ever met online.

www.Myspace.com: Yes, this one has become a favorite of just about everyone I assume. For me, it has reconnected me with friends I thought I had lost with forever.

www.associatedcontent.com: This site has provided me an outlet to write articles of my choice. There is also a supportive community and an array of interesting articles.

Where else can people find you on the web?
Www.AssociatedContent.com/LeighEgan

What are your professional highlights?
Winning blue ribbons throughout middle school and high school for writing encouraged me to continue. I'm most proud of being able to go on to be a ghost write for several stories that were based upon teen problems including pregnancy, parental problems, and day to day advice. I've also written several consumer goods and parenting articles that not only gave me a sense of accomplishment but also helped people make decisions.

Aside from writing, I have worked help desk as a contractor through IBM, then went on the become an account executive that dealt with mortgage protection and medigap policies. I've also done business to business marketing of MCgraw Hill Textbooks and had the opportunity to learn the insides and outs of the human resource and training aspects of a company.

What advice do you have for the journey of life?
Don't Quit! There is an old poem that I sent to my older sister many years ago when she was struggling to finish college. Everything was stacked against her, and many days she wanted to just throw in the towel. Although this poem was anonymously written, it has touched several peoples' lives, and it helps me on the days when I felt like I couldn't get that last project done:

Don't Quit Poem
by anonymous

"When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit."






What are you most passionate about in life?
I'm most passionate about my daughter first and foremost, then doing everything to the best of my ability. I have had a life long love of reading and writing, and nothing gets me more passionate that writing something wonderful

What ticks you off?
People being rude to others probably ticks me off more than anything. We all want to get ahead, and we all want to be liked. Focusing on the positives instead of negatives seems to make a better day for all of us.

Any thoughts or ideas on living a greener life?
Keep positive thoughts in your head. Negative attracts negative, and positive attracts positive. As soon as that negative thoughts comes into your head, counteract it with a thought of that dream vacation that you WILL get, or about how beautiful your children, or about how smart you truly are. Things will fall into place if you keep positive thoughts, faith, and above all else, determination.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm a bookworm. I have so many books that they are falling out of an extra closet. All my bookshelves are full but I just can't bear to part with them.

" Wherever you go, there you are!" Being a telecommuter, this has to be one of my favorite philosophies in more ways than one.