Books have always been my sanctuary. During grade school, I was an avid reader, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Scholastic Book Club order forms. My mother, despite having limited resources, let me order as many books as I wanted. She sacrificed for my happiness, intuitively understanding that my love of literature and writing would stay with me for life. And indeed, it  it stick with me.

In the summer of ’85, while my friends played outside, I preferred to stay in my room with a good book. Lois Duncan’s mysterious and supernatural stories captivated me, igniting my imagination and broadening my perception of the world.

One book that forever changed my life was “Go Ask Alice.” Written as a diary, it chronicles the harrowing experiences of a teenage runaway and drug addict trying to get clean. Published anonymously, I still wonder about the author’s identity and fate. The way the anonymous teen used her diary to process her pain and life experiences inspired me to start journaling.

Ironically, my sixth-grade teacher, Dr. Cauldwell, required his students to read or write for an hour every afternoon, often accompanied by classical music. This ambiance brought the pages of my books to life, intertwining music and literature in a way that sparked my creativity. Dr. Cauldwell planted the seed of writing in me, allowing my love for the literary arts to flourish.

Fast-forward to adulthood. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Literature from the University of New Mexico. In college, I developed a passion for memoirs and poetry, especially the works of the Beat Generation. A dedicated class on Beat writers deepened my admiration for their revolutionary spirit. Later, I pursued an MFA in Creative Writing/Poetry at Naropa University, a school founded by Beat writers.

Today, I am enthralled by the works of poets Rupi Kaur and Nikita Gill. hese modern literary goddesses transform pain into beautiful poetics, serving as my muses. Their writings inspire me to journal, process my pain, and explore my poetic voice.