At 12 years old and with graduation around six years away, I didn't think a lot about how the D I got in math may or may not affect my future. Now, as a junior and with college just around the corner, it's hard not to think about the future - and feel anxious and unprepared. 

Enter Shaun Brown, a local Liberty Laker and now a recently published author of "Seven Steps to Scholarship Success: Start in Middle School." I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Brown about her new book as part of my assignments while an intern this summer with The Splash. I wish I would have been assigned this interview four years ago. 

Brown had always wanted to write a book, and after toying around with a few ideas, she decided to write what she knows: how to help one find a good university to attend, get accepted and get the scholarships to pay for it. After successfully helping all five of her kids through the process, she has seen the daunting process of applications, essays and letters of recommendation and has learned a thing or two about the best ways to achieving higher education goals.

Brown puts lots of encouragement behind starting early. Personally, I would have never given college a second thought in middle school, but now looking back there are things I wish I would have known then that I know now - from classes, to grades, to building good study habits. At first, the words "middle school" in the title made me worry, "Is it too late for me as a junior?" To my relief, Brown had assuring words. 

"This book can be helpful to any student who is in middle school, starting high school or in their junior year or in the middle of their senior year," Brown said.

Indeed, the book is organized into "seven steps" and specifically addressed to certain points along one's academic journey, from eighth grade to senior year. This book covers everything from the classes to take in middle school to the application processes junior and senior year. And as I look forward to taking my SATs and ACTs this year, this book couldn't have come sooner, because personally, I'm going to need all the help I can get.

Like many students in middle school (and even a little into high school), I was unmotivated to excel in my education. But along with some great advice, this book can also be a great motivator. The book is filled with inspiring statistics and calculated facts. For example, Brown showed me that if you work four hours on a $1,000 scholarship and your application wins, you have just made $250 an hour. That beats any minimum wage job I could get with only a high school diploma. 

"I think that every student has the potential to be successful," Brown said.   

And with this book, you'll definitely be on track. 

Brown said it starts with keeping your eyes open. Scholarship opportunities are everywhere. Brown says she has come across scholarship opportunities from everywhere from the usual places (the internet) to a banner at a high school basketball game.

"What surprises most people is that you can find a lot of them locally - a lot of corporations and nonprofits right here in our own community (offer scholarships)," Brown said. 

It all starts with setting a goal, and like everything to achieve that goal is going to take hard work, dedication and time - even working over Christmas and Thanksgiving break. 

Once again, however, Brown emphasized that the earlier you start, the less stressful the process will be. Her tips include writing everything down, making a list and saving everything because later you're going to need it, and it's going to be a lot easier on you, too. There are several aspects to the college application process that will appear time and time again. 

"By the end of the application process, you're most likely just copying and pasting essays and recommendations, you name it," Brown said. 

This sounded good to me. I have no desire to fill the rest of my high school years with additional stress and anxiety. Brown's book has lots of tips that will help keep me from piling up all the work for the very end. 

"When it's all done and you get accepted into the college of your choice, and have scholarships to pay for it, all that work will pay off," Brown said. 

Although I'm still not proud of that D in sixth grade, as we wrapped up our conversation, Brown assured me there is hope for me yet. 

• • • 

The author of "Seven Steps to Scholarship Success" is a longtime Liberty Lake resident and mother to prolific scholarship winners (and Central Valley High School graduates) Kyle, Kendra, Drew, Stephanie and Trevor Brown. Shaun Lorraine Brown is also the founder (along with husband, Nathan Brown) of The Liberty Lake Splash in September 1999. The Browns sold the newspaper in 2004. 

Paperback and Kindle versions of Brown's book are available at www.amazon.com. Paperback versions may be purchased at The Brass Plates Bookstore, 15707 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley.