Writer, editor, teacher, mother, wife, traveler ...
Life began in Missouri. I grew up in the unincorporated part of a small town that sits on the outskirts of St. Louis, though it isn't a small town anymore. My home was a standard red brick ranch situated on old farmland. Out back, the old farmhouse, chicken coop, and barn still stand, and myself and my brother made good use of them and the wide open space as children.
Storytelling, reading, and writing all played major roles in my formative years. My only neighbors were an elderly couple who had plenty of tales to regale me with, from how they met to their service in World War II--he on the front lines and she as a nurse. My father, aunt, and uncle were all big readers who plied me with books once I began reading, and my mother ensured that stories were a part of my routine every night before bed. As soon as I could write, I was encouraged to journal and create stories.
By the time I hit school, I was as much of a literature enthusiast as a first-grader could be. My teachers consistently noted my talent as a writer, my fluency as a reader, and my serious, studious nature. All this earned me a reputation as a future author, and less flatteringly, the nickname "Little Grandma" from my teachers.
In middle school, my love of writing really began to take shape. Because I worked faster than my peers, I often finished early and was left to occupy myself in class. I took to carrying around a writer's notebook that I filled with poetry and short fiction. At the encouragement of my parents, I started submitting my poems for publication to local newspapers, magazines, and newsletters, boosting my confidence when they were accepted. This continued throughout high school as well.
Despite my love of writing and reading, as graduation approached, I did not look into related programs. The adults in my life had me convinced that unless you wrote the next Harry Potter, there was no financial security in being an author. Instead, I was encouraged to become a teacher and pass on my love of the humanities to my students.
And so I did. I studied at Maryville University School of Education, getting my degree in middle school language arts and becoming certified to teach students in grades 5-9. Upon graduation, I moved to the state of Hidalgo in Mexico, where my husband is from. I taught 7th grade language arts for five years, working with non-native students at a fully bilingual school. Every now and then, I would pick up some freelance writing and editing gigs on the side, but on the whole, my life was devoted to teaching.
I loved my job; I cannot deny that. The students were amazing, and the work rewarding. But despite the warnings from my past, I was still pulled towards writing.
When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I knew I would need a little extra income given that earning pesos, even in Mexico, leaves a bit to be desired. I turned to online freelancing platforms Elance and oDesk, now Upwork, to try my hand at some freelance writing and editing side gigs. Things were slow-going at first, but soon enough, my side gig began to earn more than my main gig, and I had to admit that what made the most sense, from both a financial and a happiness standpoint, was to switch to writing and editing full time.
Now, I have been freelancing for longer than I was a teacher, and I am deeply thankful to have the chance to both do what I love and provide for my family.
Storytelling, reading, and writing all played major roles in my formative years. My only neighbors were an elderly couple who had plenty of tales to regale me with, from how they met to their service in World War II--he on the front lines and she as a nurse. My father, aunt, and uncle were all big readers who plied me with books once I began reading, and my mother ensured that stories were a part of my routine every night before bed. As soon as I could write, I was encouraged to journal and create stories.
By the time I hit school, I was as much of a literature enthusiast as a first-grader could be. My teachers consistently noted my talent as a writer, my fluency as a reader, and my serious, studious nature. All this earned me a reputation as a future author, and less flatteringly, the nickname "Little Grandma" from my teachers.
In middle school, my love of writing really began to take shape. Because I worked faster than my peers, I often finished early and was left to occupy myself in class. I took to carrying around a writer's notebook that I filled with poetry and short fiction. At the encouragement of my parents, I started submitting my poems for publication to local newspapers, magazines, and newsletters, boosting my confidence when they were accepted. This continued throughout high school as well.
Despite my love of writing and reading, as graduation approached, I did not look into related programs. The adults in my life had me convinced that unless you wrote the next Harry Potter, there was no financial security in being an author. Instead, I was encouraged to become a teacher and pass on my love of the humanities to my students.
And so I did. I studied at Maryville University School of Education, getting my degree in middle school language arts and becoming certified to teach students in grades 5-9. Upon graduation, I moved to the state of Hidalgo in Mexico, where my husband is from. I taught 7th grade language arts for five years, working with non-native students at a fully bilingual school. Every now and then, I would pick up some freelance writing and editing gigs on the side, but on the whole, my life was devoted to teaching.
I loved my job; I cannot deny that. The students were amazing, and the work rewarding. But despite the warnings from my past, I was still pulled towards writing.
When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I knew I would need a little extra income given that earning pesos, even in Mexico, leaves a bit to be desired. I turned to online freelancing platforms Elance and oDesk, now Upwork, to try my hand at some freelance writing and editing side gigs. Things were slow-going at first, but soon enough, my side gig began to earn more than my main gig, and I had to admit that what made the most sense, from both a financial and a happiness standpoint, was to switch to writing and editing full time.
Now, I have been freelancing for longer than I was a teacher, and I am deeply thankful to have the chance to both do what I love and provide for my family.