Years ago I came across this quote, "If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it." It is from one of the most beloved authors of all time, Beverly Cleary. For those who are not familiar with that name, you might be familiar with her work such as the Ramona Series and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. When I saw this quote I knew that it would make a major impact in how I would approach my own stories.

Around five years I began my professional writing career, the first book that I had ever released was a short collection of a number of poems that I had been writing for a few years at that point. The major theme around the poetry collection was around the mythological world, more specifically sirens, fairies, and more. Jumping forward to 2020 I now have five poetry collections, a children's book series, and two novellas, one that was recently released. My first poetry collection would ultimately be the stepping stone as to how I would approach each book.

Magic realism has and will always be in the forefront of how I tell a story, whether it be realistic or children's fiction. For unknown reasons to even myself I am driven towards magic realism. It might be because I was introduced to it at an early age from reading certain novels such as Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, nevertheless, it certainly made an impact.

In my first novella, Petals and Nails, magic realism is noticeable throughout each chapter. While the major theme surrounds around mental health, and how each person tries to live with it, magic realism undeniably ties the story together while the main character works through all of the heartache, and fighting with her inner being. Growing up I didn't have this type of story where the two worlds of magic realism and mental health collided, because for me I needed this story to know that I wasn't the only one dealing with high levels of anxiety and feeling like an outsider. Since I hadn't ever seen a story like that grace the shelves of any bookstores, I knew that I needed to write it myself.

Surprisingly enough, after having written that novella, as well as the many books that came before it a whole world opened up in my mind. A world that I hadn't yet even thought about. Because of those books I am now able to write the stories that I have always needed. But there is one thing I am well aware of....these books aren't just for me, they are for those who feel the same way and are looking for something that they can relate to. And that's what I do. I write for those who feel the same way I feel, or going through something similar that I've gone through at some point in my life, whether it be romantic relationships, mental health, or even strained family relationships.