If you asked me about the time I became a writer, I would probably smile and say, “I’ve always been one.”
Long before I learned about story structure, character arcs, or the distinction between drafting and editing, I was already designing worlds. I've been writing poetry and short stories since I was in the third grade. Not only did storytelling give my mind pleasure, but it also became a language to use before I even recognized the name.
When I look back, writing just wasn't my thing. I think writing found me.
As a child, I could take the smallest idea and expand it to a grander level. A conversation became a poem. A dream became a story.
And a random thought into an entire world was something waiting to be discovered. That’s still at the center of what makes me enjoy writing so much. Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes it is a stranger’s smile, a childhood memory, a funny conversation or just noticing a cat taking out a roll of tape. Every moment has the potential to become a story.
I honestly thought I learned how to become a better writer when I opted for my bachelor’s in creative writing. Of course, whatever I expected would not have been; just how much writing is there beyond words on a page.
I’ve come to understand that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Really, it’s not supposed to be. But one of the most valuable lessons I have learned is to just put the story out there first. Let it breathe. Let it be messy. And then come back, with fresh eyes and twist it for something more. That one lesson really changed my life for the better because for years, I thought every sentence had to be perfect the first time.
I learned from creative writing to love structure, too. Whether you’re writing a query letter for a new novel, formatting a blog post, crafting a comic script or crafting believable characters, every story has a foundation. Once you understand that foundation, your creativity has room to soar instead of feeling lost.
My education, though, didn’t end with storytelling. I’ve explored editing, proofreading, publishing, branding, website development, scriptwriting, comic writing, lettering, audio storytelling, sound effects, and portfolio building. One of my favorite memories from those projects was developing my first audio story and discovering just how sound could paint images in people's minds. Another exciting adventure has been how comics tell a story—not just talking, but visual movement/pacing, lettering, expressions, and page turning itself.
Classes have taught me that writing is more than words. It’s about building experiences.
Perhaps the most enlightening part of this journey has been learning more about myself as a writer. I’d discovered that my voice naturally leans toward inspirational storytelling, heartfelt poetry, personal reflections, comedy, romance, stories about love, faith, and self-discovery, and motivational writing. I discovered that my voice, by my very nature, leans toward inspirational or uplifting stories. I enjoy telling stories that keep people laughing one moment and pause to think the next. I enjoy writing prose that reads poetically without losing its depth, emotionally without becoming overwhelming, and honest enough for readers to find themselves in each story.
At the same time, I have pushed myself away from my comfort zone. And I’ve dabbled in genres I never thought I could write; I’ve explored different ways of telling stories and learned that growth often starts where familiarity ends.
Writing has grown even wider than assignment work in school. I tell stories every single day. It lives in my Instagram post, with inspiring content, life lessons, humor, and time for reflection. It influences the type of personal brand I create. It shapes the books I dream of publishing, the comics I make, the podcast conversations I imagine leading up to them, and the messaging for my future jewelry line. Stories are never far from the core, whether I’m writing a blog, writing a screenplay, designing a website, writing a social media caption or building out a company.
That’s what I really love writing about.
It isn't limited to books.
Writing becomes branding.
Writing becomes business.
Writing becomes leadership.
Writing becomes a connection.
Writing becomes legacy.
To me, writing is like music. Every sentence has rhythm. There’s a melody in each paragraph. Each story is a composition in which characters are instruments, dialogue harmonizes into a melody, conflict builds tension, and resolution brings the final note. Sometimes writing feels like painting or adding colors to empty pages. Sometimes, it feels like gardening, dropping ideas into your garden and listening closely to them blossom into something quite special.
Most people have the idea that writers just tell stories. I think great writers create bridges. They bond strangers through shared emotions. They preserve memories. They challenge perspectives. They soothe hearts. They inspire change. And if we’re lucky, they leave the world just a little better than they found it.
I have learned techniques. I've learned structure. With this structure, I can begin to figure out my arguments. I’ve learned editing. Learning the publishing process. I’ve learned branding. But even more than that, I learned that I’ve been working at these all my life.
My browser history now consists of things like “How many sound effects can fit into one audio story?” and “Why is my comic cat even more personable than some people?” I would call that kind of professional development.
This is only the start of my journey, and I'm thankful you chose to be a part of it.
More stories and lessons to learn, more laughs to have, more behind-the-scenes moments to take in. So, take a seat, linger a while, and let’s keep on becoming — story after story.