Why writing?

When you have natural-born talents like ice cream snarfing, laughing at your own jokes, and ramming into doorways due to egregious miscalculation of your walking trajectory, you want to capitalize on the talents that actually make you look good. Plus I’ve always loved words. As a kid, I used to flip to random pages in the dictionary and read entries for fun.

While we’re on the subject of sad childhood activities, as a loner in elementary school, my friends were three-headed creatures I drew on paper and taped to my wall. One was three-footed. I’d make up stories about them in my head, and they protected me as I fell asleep at night.

Fast forward to my present life. Thankfully, I have actual human friends now, and the stories in my head are now strung together on a keyboard at sixty miles an hour. Sometimes I like to live dangerously and break the speed limit. It’s a great thing that my writing has developed so nicely, because my drawing skills really haven’t progressed much since fourth grade.

Why I Make a Great Mentee

1. Unless you’re outright mean in your comments, I’m not going to get offended. I know I need help, and my mentor is there to give it. I need guidance, not coddling.
2. I’m going to work hard and do what it takes. A work in progress will not progress unless I put in the work. All the work. I wrote my first draft in my spare time—all 70,000 words of it—in three weeks.
3. I really am a nice person. People always tell me they enjoy working with me. Exact words from my current boss during my last performance review: “You’re the most gracious person I’ve ever worked with.” If only I was graceful as well.
4. I’m humble. I won’t deafen your ear with how great I am. Unless, of course, I’m writing up a list of reasons you should pick me. This also means I will listen to you.
5. I’m a web designer by trade, and very nerdy computer savvy. I am my mom’s tech support, and I can be yours too. I enjoy helping. One day, I will proudly announce that I am an author by trade.
6. I can send you photos of my fur-kids, like this one:
   
   It’s been scientifically proven that dogs help reduce stress. Unless they’re disemboweling your pillows of course. But that’s the beauty of photos. All the relaxation, and none of the poop. If someone had told me twenty years ago that I’d be staring at dog poop twice a day, I’d have told them to shut up and let me eat my ice cream in peace.
7. There are probably more reasons you should pick me, like the fact that I recycle and buy pasture-raised eggs, but really they’re just less and less relevant. I think you get the gist. And in case you don’t, allow me to summarize: Imaginative, hard-working, respectful, smarty-pants, ice cream.

To conclude your wondrous journey through the rich and complex world that is me, I leave you with this little gem:

Oh, and pick me. Because this isn’t dodge ball. I’ll actually make you proud.

Critique Partners

I’m always on the lookout for good critique partners. I write YA in multiple genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, and Contemporary. If you think we might be a good fit, contact me! I can also offer advice on computer/website stuff, free of charge. Because I’m nice like that, and writers kick ass. I’ll also be your moral support and cheerleader. I was never a cheerleader in high school (because yay football? I don’t think so.) but I can certainly be an online cheerleader for something I care about.

Favorite Books

I just realized that I neglected to list my favorite books. It’s as if I don’t read at all, ha. In case it’s a deciding factor for you, here are a few:

• Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell
• Look Both Ways, by Alison Cherry
• First & Then, by Emma Mills
• Cinder, by Marissa Meyer