My name is Saye, as in the English word "to speak or tell," first name Stephanie. Don't bother with the "say what" jokes, because I've heard 'em all, and then some. The name Saye is so easy it's hard. But once you get it, you'll never forget it.I'm a Texan, born and raised. I grew up in Big D watching a whole 'lotta Cowboys football, but spent a good amount of time at my grandparents' farm just southwest of Houston. For the first 10 years of my life, I wanted nothing more than to be a farmer and even begged my dad to let me bring home a pet chicken for our suburban backyard. He said no. I cried; then decided I'd become a writer instead.Well, not exactly, but it makes for a good story. The truth is I hated sitting still long enough to write but had a helluva imagination, which got me in plenty of trouble as a kid. The bit on trouble's neither here nor there, except for me, trouble and writing seem to go together. As far as the career that chose me: it would take several more years and the influence of a Catholic nun, a couple of college professors and a grueling Corporate Communications career to convince me that storytelling was indeed my lot in life.As I mentioned, I tend to get in trouble with my writing. My critically acclaimed debut novel, Little 15, was banned from a high-profile literary event for it's controversial content, yet continues to be a popular book club pick. Because readers have connected so well with it, I've written a screenplay adaption with hopes of taking the story to the big screen. I'm a fan of following your dreams and even a bigger fan of believing in yourself.Perhaps that's why I like to create stories of love, loss, healing, and redemption, because let's face it: we've all been there at one time or another. My next novel, Sawtooth, is due out later this year, and explores the broken lives of two women, generations apart. Set against the rich backdrop of a small farming town in Central Texas, it's a story of how both women let go of guilt and overcome addiction. Sawtooth shows how you can face your mistakes, and then, with grace, God's grace, find peace, hope, and a better life.www.stephaniesaye.com