Book excerpts from alumni authors tell of Garfield the cat, the Twilight Zone and heart-wrenching losses.

What drives a person to write a book?

What triggers that would-be author to commit the time and resources needed for such an undertaking, as well as to expose one's dignity to potential rejection?

As these alumni illustrate, something in their psyche was struggling to get out and onto paper. For one alumnus, it was being kidnapped as a child. For two others, it was having the kind of imagination that swept them into the Twilight Zone and Garfield comic strips. And some alumni had seen enough cruelty in life to develop a passion for helping others.

The following pages feature excerpts and interviews with seven alumni authors, representing a variety of works: autobiographical, fiction, humor, inspirational and professional tips.