How did I get here? The road was winding and not always paved, but that just makes the creative journey even more interesting. Here are a few highlights that led to this life of storytelling.

1980s:

Dinner and a show? Yes, please! At an early age, my sister and I would entertain our esteemed guests (parents and grandparents) after dinner in my grandmother’s living room dressed up in her scarves and costume jewelry. There would be jokes, magic tricks, singing, and of course, dancing.

Did I think of it as telling a story through dance? Probably not at five years old. I was more excited about getting to cartwheel across the stage in my mini tutu and tappity shoes.

2000s:

After spending four years working on an Elementary Education degree, it was time to put it to work. Subbing wasn’t my first choice, but every day was a different adventure in a new classroom teaching another subject to unfamiliar young faces. This is when my appreciation for picture books blossomed—since storytime was usually a favorite among most classes.

Summers off? Hahaha. Entertaining children as a summer camp counselor meant making sure they had sunscreen on, changed out of their wet bathing suits, had ample rest and snack time, and participated in a range of arts, crafts, and other outdoor activities. For a few summers, I relived my drama days as the theater club counselor. We played improv games when we weren’t practicing for the camp stage production.

I’ve already been on stage, now it was time to try the screen. Interning with a casting director led to office managing for a talent agency which led to freelance production assistant gigs—one of the biggest for Celebrity Jeopardy in NYC. Then I worked as a children’s talent agent (not teaching, but close). More freelance production work followed, but this time I focused on feeding the on-set cast and crew as a craft service assistant.

There were a few acting gigs—mostly background work in feature films and supporting roles in indies. Work on set not only inspired the writing of my first screenplay and directing/producing my own film, Long Lost Life, but it also played a major role in writing my first novel, Remember.

My second novel, Aunty Says Get a Life, is inspired by my own aunt, her heartfelt advice, and other real events. Wanderlust plays a major role in this story as well as in my soul. Accounts of my travels are documented in countless scrapbooks, a travel blog, and in an upcoming series of books about two imaginative islanders named Peregrine and Beatrix.

Whether it was on stage, screen, or Grandma’s living room, telling stories has always been a part of my life. Now, with the books and blogs I’m writing, the audience has grown—thanks to the internet and social media. The journey continues to twist and turn, and hopefully inspire others as it inspires me every day.