28 years old • Loveland
Author, project manager at Schneider Electric
What’s your occupation? Explain your career, accomplishments and professional highlights.
As a project manager at a global software company, I leverage many of the skills required for my job to support my career as a writer. The ability to plan strategically, organize efficiently and communicate effectively translate well in becoming an author as I set personal goals, track progress and collaborate with agents, editors and publishing companies. I am proud to have achieved my dream of becoming an author while balancing a full-time position in the technology industry, pursuing both a career and creative passion. With more books underway, I’m excited to see this new career path unfold.
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
Storytelling has always been a passion of mine, and I knew I wanted to be an author at age 11. While I took a special interest in creative writing courses over the years, I also studied digital film production in college and actively seek out new opportunities to enrich the stories I share through my writing. Inspired by authors such as Sarah Dessen, Veronica Roth and John Green, my hope is to encourage young readers to find their people, pursue their own passions and, most of all, discover their authentic self. My debut novel, “Shattered Streams,” is now on Amazon in eBook and print. I’m grateful to share this transformative story with you, and I hope Avery’s journey brings comfort and courage to your own.
Tell us something unique about you.
I moved to the beautiful country of New Zealand in 2018, which had been another dream of mine since childhood. Living in such an isolated location gave me the space to write a majority of my manuscript’s first draft while soaking in the beautiful nature that surrounded me. I’m often inspired to write when I’m traveling, so finding a way to integrate these two dreams was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What do you consider the biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
More than 80 percent of people say they want to write a book, yet three percent actually finish writing one. In addition, only one in 6,000 writers get picked up by an agent, which highlights just one of countless obstacles that are outside of one’s control in the publishing industry. All of this is to say that I’m extremely proud of my determination in overcoming the challenges that accompany self-publishing a book and not giving up on my dream.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
Aside from having more books in the hands of my readers, I see myself actively engaged in the community to encourage young writers and inspire readers of all ages to overcome their fears and chase their dreams. I’ve contacted libraries to host author events and writing courses open to the community, coffee shops to partner in book signings that will in return promote local businesses and Poudre School District teachers to engage with their students.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
It’s not uncommon to feel discouraged by the success stories of others, yet there’s no one-size-fits-all path to your dream. There’s no imposed timeline. If there’s something you want to do, find a way to pursue it that aligns with your values and lifestyle. Try out one strategy. Fail. Try another. And when you look back on your life, know that the only difference between a dream unrealized and a dream that became reality is you.
What inspires your writing, and why did you choose young adult fiction?
I find inspiration when I listen to music; I often hear a song and imagine it as part of a movie soundtrack, then I try to capture the scene playing in my head on paper. Who knows, maybe I’ll publish a book that gets adapted into a movie someday, but for now, this helps me work backward from the movie soundtrack I imagine accompanying my book ideas. Traveling also sparks inspiration because there’s so much newness, excitement and possibility. Even if I don’t draw from my specific experiences while traveling, I harness those emotions to expand my own imagination and creativity. Young adult is such a fun genre to write because most characters are at pivotal moments in their lives—experiencing heightened emotions and discovering their true identities—which can be relatable to both young adult readers and those remembering their own teenage years.
How do you navigate writer’s block?
My writing routine oscillates between a few weeks of late-night writing sessions and devoting almost all of my free time to reaching a milestone to then months of thinking about my writing but not making tangible progress. I try not to put too much pressure on producing, but rather let my love of storytelling ebb and flow with whatever season of life I’m in. No one pursues writing for the money, so I try to make a point to enjoy the process, however fast or slow that might look.
What practical pieces of advice would you give to aspiring young writers?
Taking the leap of faith to publish a book is daunting to say the least, but you have to trust that there’s a reader out there who’s waiting to hear your story. Try not to get caught up in the comparison game or you’ll never put your work out there. Everyone starts somewhere, and it’s only by writing, rewriting, editing and rewriting again that you gain the skillset and confidence you’re looking for. It has always benefitted me to jot down my ideas in a journal, create outlines to help visualize what I’m writing toward and attend writing events and author panels to build connections with other writers. Keep at it, and I can’t wait to read your book someday.
