I've always been the kind of person who is constantly writing a story in her mind. When I hear about, or see a person I don’t know, I find myself wondering all sorts of things about them—how they talk, who or what they love, what drives them. I also do this when I hear songs—I imagine the whole situation or scenario that it is based on, complete with characters, setting, and plot line. I let it play out in my mind as I listen. I just assumed that everyone did this!

 

Writing is one of my great loves because it allows me to get all these thoughts out in a way that feels very channeled and satisfying. If I don’t write for a few days, I don’t feel like I'm firing on all cylinders, but if I have a long, satisfying night of writing after putting my kids to bed, I feel incredible in the morning. Some caffeine helps, too!

 

These days, I find myself immersed in children’s books— this is by choice, but also by necessity. I have three enrapturing boys, each with mountains of mess (I mean books!) in their rooms that we read every night. I think I might love some of the stories more than they do. It was probably only a matter of time before I started writing my own. 

​

I'm a graduate student in children's and young adult literature at Penn State University, an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI), a CYBILS Awards judge, and a regular blogger on all things kidlit-related for the Writers' Rumpus blog. 

​

I invite you to check out some of my recent blog and social media posts!