My Journey to Becoming an Author

From Childhood Scribbles to Published Novels

Everyone starts from somewhere, right? My path to becoming an author wasn't a straight line—it was a winding journey with plenty of detours along the way.

It all started when I was a child. I had stacks of printer paper, legal pads, and notebooks filled with stories and letters. I was completely fascinated by typewriters, though nothing quite compared to the feel of pen and paper. I filled so many journals that I couldn't keep track of which ones I'd started and which ones I'd finished.

Finding My Voice Through Poetry

Then I discovered poetry. I had never taken a class on it or studied the different styles, but something about poetry helped me express myself in a way nothing else could. It was like looking through a kaleidoscope pointed straight at my heart.

I wrote constantly and even won two poetry contests, one when I was 9 and another when I was 10. After that, family members would ask me to write poems for birthdays, funerals, weddings—you name it.

Then I found romance novels and something clicked. I knew, inherently, this was what I was meant to do. Though my early attempts at writing romance weren't quite successful (I focused more on emotion than the detailed descriptions I found in the books I read), the seed was planted.

The Detour Years

Throughout the years, I would write little stories here and there, getting inspiration from everything under the sun. But I was shy about my work. Even though I had found stories that reflected my own writing style, I didn't believe I could be as good as the authors I admired.

In 2015, I started playing The Sims 4. Gaming had always sparked my creativity, but this time was different. I reached a point where I couldn't keep my stories locked away anymore. I discovered the Sims community on Tumblr and found my people.

Tumblr gave me something nothing else had—a platform where strangers could view my work. Seeing people become invested in my characters when I thought my work was just "okay" boosted my confidence tremendously.

Finding My Author Voice

I wrote constantly on Tumblr. At one point, I had so many posts drafted that I hit their limit for multiple days. The experience helped me understand my voice and craft. My writing grew and improved as I challenged myself, including learning how to write spice scenes and more complex character arcs.

But nothing stays the same forever. When Tumblr changed, many people left, including me. I wrote little things here and there, but nothing substantial. I developed what I now recognize as Imposter Syndrome.

Taking the Leap

In December 2018, I realized I couldn't keep holding myself back. That creative inspiration was building up again, and I decided it didn't matter if my writing wasn't "good enough"—it was still mine. So I wrote the first four chapters of Night Shade.

In Spring 2019, I got an idea for a short story humanizing trees. The concept wouldn't leave me alone, and I realized I could publish whatever I wanted. The world was my oyster, and I was done putting limitations on my dreams. So in Summer 2019, I published my first book, Broken Branches.

Going through the publishing process and seeing my book available for people to read was all I needed. That initial success gave me the confidence to step through other doors.

In 2020, I signed a contract with a small press to be included in a fairytale retelling anthology, and by December of that year, I had another book under my name.

The publishing bug bit me then. By January 2021, I knew I wanted to be an author more than anything, so I was going to fight for it—no matter what or who I had to fight, even if it was myself.

Where I Am Now

Today, my debut series, Chronicles of The Otherworld, is alive and kicking. I have plans for book three and multiple parts of this series spanning different paranormal creatures, as well as several other series, individual novels, and multiple universes.

I still write poetry sometimes and occasionally compose little songs. I recognize Imposter Syndrome and have a good fight against it. I've simply removed the words "I can't" from my dictionary because I know whenever I put my mind to something, I most certainly "can."

And most of all, I'm happy. I'm overjoyed. I'm satisfied every time I start a new chapter or finish another part of my work.

I hope my journey reminds you that you don't have to give up on your dreams. No matter how long it takes, effort produces results. The fact that you tried is what matters. So whatever it is you'd like to do in your life, I hope you try. You've got this!

Want to check out the books that came from this journey? You can find my Chronicles of The Otherworld series here.