Hello everyone! For my first post I thought I’d go into why I write and how it became my passion. I’m unsure when my love for writing truly started; it just seems like something I have always done. Though, I was probably around 7 when I officially decided I wanted to be a writer since I was an avid reader by that age.

       The writing I love to do is when I can do whatever I want with the story. In these stories and imaginings, I’m able to create a world that no one can tell me to change. The creatures and characters in that world are all my own and only I can determine what happens next. However, writing allows me to be careless or spontaneous in a way I never feel I can be in the “real world”. I make my characters do something stupid without needing to worry about the repercussions myself. I know, I sound like a very exciting person. Anyway, writing has also been a great way for me to search within myself. My fears and doubts, they usually become quite clear in my stories. I can safely express certain feelings and opinions by making those feelings belong to characters, since I have such a hard time allowing myself to feel those feelings myself. In other words, writing is my therapy. This isn’t the only reason I write though.

       One thing that has helped me face challenges throughout the years has been books. Books were my escape from pain, sadness, and hurtful words of bullies and even teachers. I could immerse myself in a completely different world and I could live as the characters lived. I’ve always found books as having a great power over its reader. I want to create that safe place for others, that place where they can go to when reality is kicking them in the butt. All of the feelings that they feel disappear as they become the characters.

       Ever since I was a little girl, the visions of me creating my own worlds and creating a place for others to enjoy has changed slightly as my genre has continuously been updated. There is also the fact that I had thought I’d be a published author by the time I turned 16 (because 16 was is so old to a 10 year old). However, the vision of awards and talk shows hasn’t changed. So sit back and follow me on the journey from published novelist want-to-be to published novelist (hopefully).