I was born and raised in Ohio, a state featured in many-a-meme. If you were wondering, our weather really is that unpredictable.
I grew up in a big town that felt small. I was a chatty, bowl-cut kid who enjoyed creating art and learning HTML code on MySpace. Early on, I fell in love with the lyrics that always lifted my spirits, which led me to discover the power of words. So, I started writing sappy, inspirational quotes in fifth grade. Quotes inspired songs. Songs became one-shots (short love stories) posted online to Quizzaz (now Quotev). One-shots spun out of control, creating entire novels in middle school. |
I wrote only YA romantic fiction until my second year of undergrad at Sinclair Community College. Several professors, now friends and colleagues, helped me realize that somewhere along the way, I had shoved myself into a box.
They helped me realize I could do and be more. Could be whatever I wanted.
So while at Sinclair, I revisited poetry, explored other genres of fiction, and dabbled with non-fiction when it struck me. I won some awards, gave some speeches, and still feel warm in my chest recalling it all.
After two years at Sinclair, I transferred to the University of Cincinnati to pursue a dual-English degree in Rhetoric & Professional Writing and Creative Writing Hybrid Forms. In my Rhetoric & Professional Writing courses, I was lucky enough to utilize some of the graphic design skills I had picked up while attending Warren County Career Center in high school. As I studied nearly every genre of writing in my Creative Writing Hybrid Forms concentration, I fell in love with hybridity. With what one genre could lend to another, and vice versa. Later, with what written and visual elements could combine to create for others.
The University of Cincinnati—like Sinclair and Warren County Career Center—holds a special place in my heart. Another space opened for the University of Dayton when I completed my Master of Arts in English: Writing & Rhetoric in May 2020.
They helped me realize I could do and be more. Could be whatever I wanted.
So while at Sinclair, I revisited poetry, explored other genres of fiction, and dabbled with non-fiction when it struck me. I won some awards, gave some speeches, and still feel warm in my chest recalling it all.
After two years at Sinclair, I transferred to the University of Cincinnati to pursue a dual-English degree in Rhetoric & Professional Writing and Creative Writing Hybrid Forms. In my Rhetoric & Professional Writing courses, I was lucky enough to utilize some of the graphic design skills I had picked up while attending Warren County Career Center in high school. As I studied nearly every genre of writing in my Creative Writing Hybrid Forms concentration, I fell in love with hybridity. With what one genre could lend to another, and vice versa. Later, with what written and visual elements could combine to create for others.
The University of Cincinnati—like Sinclair and Warren County Career Center—holds a special place in my heart. Another space opened for the University of Dayton when I completed my Master of Arts in English: Writing & Rhetoric in May 2020.
I never thought I would be accepted there, nevertheless have the opportunity to teach sophomores about writing and work with dozens of faculty members on department projects. I’d joined so many committees, I lost track. I was an editorial and research assistant, two separate appointments, to the English Chair. My thesis—"How Do (And Should) Writing Centers Market and Design”—was ambitious, combining several of my passions and areas of expertise. |
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to bring together so many parts of me in one project. I even had the opportunity to explore grantwriting and instructional design, career paths that also combine much of the work I love. I was given the chance to combine my love for teaching and technology as well, and spent two years teaching a composition course centered around social media.
Now, in the COVID-19 era, I can be found editing someone else’s novel, writing my own novel or co-authoring another script/book, as well as spending time with my husband, friends, and family.
Thanks for joining me for this ride. I can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner!
Now, in the COVID-19 era, I can be found editing someone else’s novel, writing my own novel or co-authoring another script/book, as well as spending time with my husband, friends, and family.
Thanks for joining me for this ride. I can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner!