THE WRITING LIFE

My work as a writer and a creative professional has been rich with meaning, depth and humanity.

I started with journaling and poetry. I was 5 years old when I wrote in my first diary about how cute the New Kids on the Block are. As a child, I loved research projects for school, reading literature and history, and going to libraries and bookstores. At 13, I wrote my first poem, it was about a death in the family. I am a first-generation college student, and I was lucky to be encouraged to follow my heart. I studied English in college, which morphed into studying newspaper writing. After that, I have pivoted in the face of economic challenges, industry challenges, life changes and dream changes. I will always be a writer in some capacity, but I do so in different ways now.

Some assignments have been just plain fun. I drove a giant tractor on an open field in rural Minnesota. I flew from an aerial yoga swing. I watched a cream corn wrestling match. I modeled for a gossip column in a small town. I also wrote about glittery ice cream and multi-million-dollar homes for sale. I’ve gotten to travel, as well; from NYC to San Francisco to Las Vegas, I am lucky to have gotten a chance to explore the United States.

Some assignments have required grit. I’ve written about murders, criminal trials, sexual assault cases, fraudulent business owners, school leaders who lie to the public, politicians who fail their constituents, and economic struggles affecting individuals and businesses alike.

I’ve landed in some exciting and prestigious places, too. I’ve met famous and infamous musicians, politicians and business leaders, as well as yogalebrities. I collaborated with renowned authors and media personalities. I sat in the VIP row at a fashion show put on by one of America’s most influential nonprofits. I traveled to Columbia University on a New York Times foundation fellowship. I’ve written marketing communications for a major corporation in the United Kingdom. So far, I’ve accepted more than a dozen awards and honors in my career, which never would have happened without the guidance of my Pulitzer-winning mentors.

Some assignments have been extremely heartbreaking. I sat alongside two families whose house burned down as I interviewed them and shared their experience. I interviewed a woman whose husband and daughters crashed with her in a massive bridge collapse — and survived to tell their stories. I also met a family whose daughter was murdered and listened to their reflections about how they have carried on with their lives, despite the tragedy. I am deeply honored to have been chosen to know and share their stories, and I thank each person for trusting me to do so.

I’ve also watched democracy crumble, which has been devastating as a writer. In my career, I’ve watched the collapse of the media industry as democracy has eroded in the United States. I started my career at a precarious time in the economy (2006, right before the Great Recession) and over time I have learned to pivot as the world has changed. Writers have long struggled with how to make money, but it has gotten more challenging in recent years, with technology changes and the decline of democracy.

I’ve also met countless dreamers who inspire people to live better lives. From entrepreneurs to artists to psychics and priests, as well as nonprofit leaders and change makers, I’ve met many people with wonderful dreams who are working to make the world a better place. Certain people are simply wired to change the world. They inspire me deeply. It is important to work toward dreams and goals.