Former truck driver is now a published children's author

A former Galax truck driver just published his first children's book, "The Elves and the Ice Cream".

During his years as a truck driver, a desire to write was Roger Hodge's constant companion out on the road.

"Every time I was driving a truck, I'd go to California, or I'd be somewhere way out of state, something I thought would be interesting to write down somewhere--- just never got there. When you drive a truck, you don't have time to sit and write stuff down you want to," says Hodge.

After nearly 25 years behind the wheel, his career came to a crashing end in 2002, when he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

In the years that followed, Hodge struggled to recover from his injuries and find another steady job.

Now a new chapter is beginning with the publishing of his first book, "The Elves and the Ice Cream."

"The theme of 'The Elves and the Ice Cream' is these elves who've been working for Santa Claus for years haven't had a break or a vacation, so they decided to go out and see the world," says Hodge.

As they explore the world, they discover ice cream.

Hodge says he's not stopping with this book. He has five more in the works.