I started my writing “career” when I was very young. One of my first forays into the world of words was actually a cookbook that got me into the Young Authors finals (I think) when I was in maybe first or second grade. It was called The Learn to Cook Book and included recipes like:

Apple pie (bake at 2 degrees for 1 minute)
Chicken (cook 80 pounds of chicken at 10 degrees for 9 hours)
Grapes (wash and eat – YUM!)

I was nothing if not creative! And was lucky enough to get the first draft and the final versions back at my cook book-themed bridal shower (thanks mom for keeping it all those years!).