Shakur is the pen name of Anthony Towns. He is a 49 year-old happily married father of four daughters. He writes, "For longer than I can remember i have always felt the need to communicate with others. My life has been one hell of a ride. Drugs, crime, prison, hospitals, re-habs, car accidents, gun shots, lied to and lied on...16 years ago I decided that something had to give. I asked and was given the help that I needed to make a change. I have been on this spiritual journey ever since." He started writing about 15 years ago. He has written a few essays for a small Black newspaper in his area and has had a couple of his short stories published by the Black Student Union at Princeton University. He resides in Trenton, New Jersey.