"The pen is mightier than the sword."

People always ask me why I like to write. I can't really give you an answer, to be completely honest. I've always liked the power of words. They can make or break you, build something up or tear it down. I like the beauty and versatility of words and the complex precision of composing a sentence. Whatever the reason, I've always loved to create stories and delve into a world of mystery, magic, and happy endings, and it's always been encouraged.

So now I'm here to thank everyone who helped me become who I am: a writer.

Thank you to my grandmother who let me type out nonsensical words on her old typewriter. Thank you for listening to every silly story about princesses and dragons and secret agents. You taught me to find the magic and make-believe in every day and showed me that stories are all around us.

Thank you to my grandparents whose computer held all of my stories. Thank you for reading my biweekly newsletters on family affairs, pretending to be interested even though you already knew everything I wrote about. Thank you for reading my short stories and buying me new journals every time I finished one. You kept me writing, even when I thought I had nothing to write about.

Thank you to all three of my sisters for being my beta readers. Thank you for reading everything and giving me your oh-so-loving feedback. You helped me develop a thicker skin with your witty criticisms and teasing jokes.

Thank you to my teachers for never telling me that writing wasn't a "practical career." Thank you for encouraging me to keep writing for myself, to try and find a way to make it work.

Most of all, thank you to my parents. Thank you for always providing me with supplies and ideas, for reading my drafts, for pinning things up on the fridge, for giving me unconditional support through thick and thin. You have always been there when I needed you and you continue to encourage my writing.

Thank you to everyone who has ever encouraged me to keep writing. It means the world to me and I can never repay you.