My whole life, I’ve been obsessed with hoarding and reading books. I love stories, and eventually, this led me to create my own intricate worlds. As a child, I struggled with dyslexia, yet my teachers were constantly amazed by my reading comprehension and inventive writing. Reading led me to a love of writing that has lasted a lifetime. 

 

As a sixth-generation Texan raised in Southern California, near Long Beach, I learned how to navigate a world of diverse views, beliefs, traditions, and people. Despite being highly involved in extracurricular activities, including drama club, the school newspaper, and youth leadership, I never quite felt like I fit in with my peers. It wasn’t until attending San Jose State University, where I obtained my BS in History, that I truly began to feel comfortable in my nerdy yet adventurous skin. As I became comfortable pursuing my goals, sharing my passions, and allowing myself to take up space in the world, I found that one of my favorite ways to express myself was through writing.

 

Falling back on childhood passion for the written word, I always found myself gravitating toward jobs that let me write, whether through curriculum development, copywriting, or travel blogging. But I always had a passion for creating my own stories, characters, worlds, and magic systems. I feel that my early years, navigating the diversity of my family and community, helped me in developing my current writing style and voice. I enjoy creating stories and conflicts driven by external issues like societal expectations, economic or political influences, the role of gender and sexuality, or the interplay between fate and free will. Doing so helps me ground my fantastical settings in real-world, relatable problems.