I could read before I could walk. 

No, really. Look!

I’m not sure how much I could truly comprehend at the time, but nonetheless, it’s clear that my love for books has been with me since birth! 

It seems like most authors have that “Ah-ha!” moment where they realize that everything they’ve been doing up to this point has been meaningless and their true calling is to be a writer. 

But for me, that never happened. 

The first time I can recall writing a full-length story was in 3rd grade. It was a three-act play about a secret fairy realm in my backyard, and every day during study hall I would take out my sparkly pink folder and favorite purple gel pen and write on the spare pieces of notebook paper I hoarded from class activities. Upon my Tony-worthy masterpiece’s completion, I then subjected my entire class to a live performance (in which I’d happily cast all my friends as the main characters of course).  

It was less than a year later when we were asked the inevitable “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

And I answered: an author. 

My parents knew I was different from the moment I was born, and it wasn’t because I was playing instruments at an expert level or performing perfect pirouettes before Pre-K. It was because my brain didn’t seem to work the same way as others, and I often struggled to interact with the world around me.

I was diagnosed with an extreme anxiety disorder before the age of 5, with the eventual addition of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and depression. My neurodivergence often presents itself in the form of fears that prevent me from doing things in a “normal” way.

Yet stories have always been a place where I never feel afraid.

I can be anyone and do anything. I can connect with characters and feel seen in a way I never have before. Whether I’m reading or writing them, they always offer that same blissful escape from my own overwhelming thoughts.

I’ve held on to that passion for reading and writing throughout my life. I started my AO3, Fanfiction.net, and Wattpad accounts when I was just 13 years old and would post my stories and fanfictions there (if you dig hard enough, you may be able to find a few). 

After four years of self-growth and career exploration in university, I arrived at graduation with the same answer to the question I’d been asked all those years ago. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an author. 

So, I pulled out a manuscript idea I’d had a few years prior and got to work. I’ve been writing and revising it ever since.

I joined BookTok in June 2021, which was honestly life-changing. My first video reached over 350K views in less than a day and the support I’ve received since has only grown. As I continue making videos, I find myself becoming part of a community of people who understand that soul connection to stories I’ve always had. 

I feel seen. I feel heard. And most importantly, I feel at home.

I’m now in the process of publishing my #OwnVoices debut young adult fantasy novel which features a neurodivergent female protagonist and will begin querying agents in 2022. In addition to my writing, I find immense joy in continuing to grow my Tiktok family and introducing people to the incredible world of reading through humorous and creative content. 

When I’m not reading or writing (which is rare),  you can probably find me taking long walks through the city, knitting sweaters, or performing elaborate yet awful dance routines for my cat (who is a true Simon Cowell of a judge). I also enjoy returning to my fine arts roots and drawing, painting, or indulging in photography when I have the time, as well as breaking out my guitar or violin on the occasional quiet afternoon. 

If you ever need to reach me, legend has it playing any Taylor Swift or Harry Styles song will summon me in under 5 seconds. If that doesn’t work, you can always try luring me out with warm oatmeal cookies.