Stories have always been my way of making sense of the world. When I was struggling to find my own path - trying to balance meaningful work with paying the bills, and wondering if I'd ever find that sweet spot where passion meets purpose - I created a character who was living the life I dreamed of. Through her journey, I discovered something powerful: writing isn't just about escape. It's about possibility.

My own path to becoming an author wasn't straightforward. After earning my master's in English literature, I spent years in the nonprofit sector before launching a boutique stationery brand. For eight years, I navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship, often wondering if I'd made the right choice as I struggled to make ends meet. It was during those lean years that I began writing my first novel, Love on Paper. I created a character who embodied everything I yearned to be: a successful author with control over her time and the freedom to chase her dreams - even if that meant moving to England after a bad breakup. Through her story of losing and rediscovering her creative joy, I found my own voice and purpose.

Scientists say that when we're absorbed in a story, our brains experience it as if it's happening to us. I feel this deeply when I'm writing, as my characters navigate their ways through career shifts, relationship challenges, and moments of self-discovery. Often, they use humor to cope with life's curveballs - something I've always done myself. Because let's face it: sometimes the best way to handle life's dramatic moments is to laugh at ourselves a little bit. When I catch myself being overdramatic, that self-aware chuckle is often what helps me get back on track, and my characters often find their way forward in the same way.

I write stories about women finding their authentic paths because I believe we all have the capacity to reshape our lives, one small choice at a time. Every character in my books is, in some way, learning to trust their instincts and embrace change, even when it's scary. They're discovering that it's never too late to pivot, to reinvent, to chase joy. This theme of authenticity runs deep in my own life - I've always found it challenging to persist in work I don't fully believe in. But when I care deeply about something, I can lose myself in it for hours, finding flow and purpose in the process.

My hope is that when you close one of my books, you'll feel what my characters feel: a spark of possibility, a surge of courage, a belief that the life you dream of is within reach. Sometimes the smallest changes - a new habit, a different way of spending your time, a moment of brutal honesty with yourself - can set you on a more authentic path. This is what I've learned in my own journey, it's what I hope to share through my stories, and it's what I wish for everyone who invests themselves in my books.