They call you Lady Luck, but there is room for doubt. So, are you feeling lucky, punk?

“How did you find a publisher?” a writer friend asked.

I thought hard and the best I could come up with was, “Luck.”

I’ve worked hard, honed my skills, and written religiously. Writing was one dream I knew I could grasp. I had a story almost done that would fit Loose ID’s current special calls, so I polished it up and submitted it.

And they accepted. 
That was To Wed A Werewolf. 
If I hadn’t had the story ready, or they hadn’t put out that call, my writing career might have stalled.

Thomas Jefferson had it right.

“I'm a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” 

Just consider the current World Athletics’ Championships. Katarina Johnson-Thompson didn’t make the long jump final. Another British long jumper, Sharon Proctor, became the first British woman to jump over 7 metres. Way over, in fact. Her jump of 7m 07cm took silver.

They’re both in great shape and I’m sure they worked their butts off just to make the World Championships, but why one over the other? Luck I guess. 

 Another great American, Franklin D Roosevelt had it right.

I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.

There’s always good luck and bad luck. The Romans even had a goddess for it. Fortuna. She’s the Goddess of Luck, Fate, chance, and childbirth. 

Thought the TV quiz, Wheel of Fortune, was a new concept? 

Think again. Fortuna’s wheel brought random acts into people’s lives, good or bad. In some representations, she carries a cornucopia laden with the fruits of an abundant harvest. In others, she’s blindfold spinning the wheel of fate.

Sky Masterson, the gambler in, Guys and Dolls, had it right with their song, Luck be a Lady. 

“A lady never leaves her escort
It isn't fair, it isn't nice
A lady doesn't wander all over the room
And blow on some other guys dice
Let's keep this party polite
Never get out of my sight
Stick with me baby, I'm the guy that you came in with
Luck be lady tonight”

Thanks, Mr Sinatra for his amazing rendition.

Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas even has a statue to Fortuna as she watches over the gambling.

Luck has a very personal meaning for me.

My maiden name was Luck. When I needed a pen name, I chose Fortune. I didn’t know I was invoking a Roman Goddess, but so far she’s been very kind to me. Long may she continue to be so.