"ARTILLERY" was my grandmother's name on my father's side of our family. She originated while growing up as a kid with her family "The Blackfoot Indians Tribe and her name was spelled Artellia Perkins, from Scherta, Oklahoma. I was named after her because my hair was light brown, long and thick. My eyes were slanted, and my face had high cheek bones like hers when I was born. My father told me this story before he died in 1971 at the age of 39 years old. I consider myself an Educator who is publishing a book of short-stories. A good friend of mine who has published several books whose name is, Author Kim Robinson, has encouraged me to share my experiences about my difficult and determined life, starting at the age of 14 while living in the City of Compton, California. Kim feels that I should share what I've written through the years while studying and accomplishing and receiving three degrees. My short-stories are very respectful, personal, truthful, uplifting, educational, and knowledgeable. My intentions for writing and publishing these short-stories are for special individuals for who may have been damage beyond any and all control amongst one's life challenges, such as abusive relationships. I aim to awaken women who stay in abusive relationships and the steps that they need to use to get out of it. I sincerely hope that our people will be interested in learning about their Afro- American heritage. They could learn about who we are concerning our identity, and about the respect that we need to express to our children, and for others as Afro- Americans. I was raised in a Christian family atmosphere in-which most of my stories is in relation to. I am the owner of all my short-stories that will be uprising for most, funny to others, or better yet, they could be factual when one is faced with their own identity. But there is one thing I am definitely sure of, is that once you pick up my book, you won't want to put it down, because one thing that we all should know is that, "Curiosity killed the cat", or did it
Donna A. Hil