Hi friends!

I wanted to take a moment to share a little about how I found my voice as a writer—because for me, it wasn’t something that happened overnight. It started long before I even dreamed of writing a novel.

When I was younger, poetry was my escape. I would fill pages with words, scribbling down emotions I couldn’t say out loud. Some poems were sad, some whimsical, and some downright silly—but they were mine. Poetry gave me a way to explore myself, my imagination, and the worlds I wanted to create. I remember staying up late on summer nights under the glow of my desk lamp, crafting tiny kingdoms and characters that only existed in my mind. Sometimes I’d read my poems out loud to my dog—beg my mom to read them out loud—just to hear the words come alive. Writing became my refuge, my therapy, and my joy.

Then came Ms. Robin, my 9th-grade teacher, who opened my eyes to the magic of reading and storytelling. I’ll never forget the way she encouraged me to take risks with my writing, to experiment with voice and style, and to truly express myself on the page. I remember nervously sharing my first poem in her class, unsure if it was any good—but she smiled and said, “You have a gift.” That moment changed everything. For the first time, I believed my words mattered. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about letting my voice be heard.

Fast forward to this past summer: I took a fiction class as part of my creative writing studies, and the assignment was to write a novella. At first, I wasn’t sure what to write. Then I remembered a story I had started years ago with a friend. It was a small idea back then, full of rough drafts and unfinished characters, but it had always stayed in my heart. I decided to revive it for this class—and as I worked on the novella, something amazing happened: I fell in love with the story all over again.

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes peek at my process:

• Character quirks: One of my favorite characters started as a casual conversation between me and my friend, but I realized that little joke had a depth I hadn’t explored. Now, he’s one of my main characters, and his quirks often make me laugh while I write.
• Writing rituals: I have a special notebook for ideas, and I keep it on my nightstand. Often, I wake up in the middle of the night with a thought or a line of dialogue, scribble it down, and go back to sleep. Some of my best ideas come this way.
• Snack-fueled creativity: I don’t know if it’s the sugar rush or the comfort food vibes, but chocolate and late-night tea are almost always present when I’m deep in a writing session.
• Scene improv: Sometimes I’ll act out a scene in my head and see how the characters might react. My son thinks it’s hilarious when he catches me talking to the air or pacing the room while dictating dialogue.

By the time the class ended, I knew I couldn’t stop there. What started as a simple class assignment became the spark of my full-length novel, The Crown Between Kingdoms. It reminded me that inspiration can come from anywhere—even old ideas we thought were forgotten—and that revisiting them can create something entirely new.

Being a writer isn’t always easy. There are days when the words won’t come, when I doubt myself, or when life as a single mom makes it feel impossible to find quiet time to write. Some days, I type a sentence and delete it five times. Other days, ideas flood out faster than I can capture them. But I’ve learned that creativity isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. It’s about showing up, even when it’s messy, and trusting that your voice is worth sharing.

“Don’t be afraid to start small. Every great story begins with a single word.”

On this blog, I want to keep sharing not just my journey, but lessons and inspiration for other writers and dreamers. If you’ve ever struggled to find your voice, or been afraid to share your stories, know this: your words matter. Your creativity matters. Your dreams matter.

💭 Here’s a question for you: What little quirks, rituals, or funny moments help you create?

Thanks for joining me again on this journey. Let’s keep creating together—one word, one poem, and one chapter at a time.

— Sarah