I have had a passion for writing since the age of 13 when I started my first novel. I had always been fascinated by the images you could conjure in your mind when reading words on a white page and wanted to take a stab at creating my own. Although my first novel was in ways immature, and never completed, it sparked my dedication to creating rich fantasy stories and worlds.
I have explored many paths in life, including singing, dancing, researching and teaching, and these opportunities have all contributed to my creativity. My love of words and language also led me to act in numerous film and theater productions, and to enter public speaking competitions, which have improved my understanding of characters and authentic dialogue.
I have been fortunate that my parents' work has allowed me to live in numerous countries for months at a time. I have experienced diverse cultures and witnessed the spirit that exists in people with incredibly challenging lives. Throughout my time living abroad I heard many fascinating and sometimes devastating stories which demonstrated the heterogeneity of human experiences.
I have also worked with many volunteer organizations that strive to improve people’s lives and fight for social justice around the world. While in high school, I was part of Westwood’s Bridge to Burundi Project, a student-run non-governmental charity that raised money to build a school in the small village of Rwoga, Burundi. I had the opportunity to visit the school, and was deeply inspired by the interconnectedness of the community which was so different from how we live in the West.
Having experienced so many different perspectives and ways of living has inspired many of the ideas of the complexity of the human condition that I would like to explore in my fantasy novels.
I am currently a twenty-two year old student at McGill University working towards my master’s degree in psychology. I am fortunate to be working with C.A.R.E. lab where I am researching the biological, social and psychological factors that influence a mother's mental health during pregnancy. This research has encouraged me to write about the special bond between a mother and her child.
I also have quite a bit of experience in writing non-fiction as a psychology student. I am a co-author on two research papers, one of which was published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, and another submitted to Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience: Individual and Social Behaviours.
I have been accused of going into psychology as fodder for my writing and I cannot deny that there may be some truth to the claim. I feel that having a deeper understanding of the inner workings of peoples' minds has enhanced my writing and character development skills. I also believe that the knowledge I have gained from my studies can make my writing more accessible to neurodiverse readers, one of the groups I would like to engage with my stories.
In addition to my graduate studies, I have delved into studying classic literature and investigating techniques to improve the depth of my plot, characters, and world-building so that I can finally bring my newest and most promising YA fiction book series to fruition.
