When I was in my late 20’s, I wrote a letter to a woman who had written a book that helped me.  I was many miles away from family, had no mentors, and was trying to make my way as a mother (never really thought I would be one), past the romantic stage of marriage (3 kids in), and grateful for the input from a stranger/writer.  We exchanged several letters and at one point, she told me I should be writing.