Bella’s Bio (Long Version)

(My shirt: “I am a writer. Anything you say or do may be used in a story.”)

Hello and welcome to my site!

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love stories.

Some of my first and fondest memories are of my parents reading to me from the Bible, and from books like Dr. Seuss and the Berenstain Bears. Thankfully for me, I learned to read at age four, and by the time I was six, I was reading at a sixth grade level. There was hardly a book on our shelves that I hadn’t read at least once, and trips to the library resulted in me lugging armloads home.

Before I could write very well, I ‘wrote’ my stories using illustrations and narration. With crayons and markers, I’d draw a picture for each key scene on its own page, and then staple them all together to create my story. I’d read it to myself and others over and over, explaining what each of the drawn scenes meant.

One night, when I was about six, I pulled out a book I’d checked out from the library and began to read. Only, I didn’t realize that it was too scary a story for kids my age – and as soon as my mom noticed, she explained that to me and set it aside to return. Looking back, I’m glad she did, but at that point I was very upset. Wasn’t I old enough to handle it? Why would someone write a children’s book that wasn’t fit for children? It didn’t make sense and it didn’t feel fair.

It was while I was sulking on my bed that my dad came into the room with a little blue notebook. One of his special notebooks, that he used for work. Crouching beside me, he offered a small smile, and gave the book to me. “Now you can write your own stories,” he said.

I started writing one that night. Many years and countless notebooks later, I’m still writing them.

Though I’ve moved on from my early scribblings about ladybugs, horses, and kittens, I still enjoy writing stories. I still love crafting story worlds, I still love watching my characters save others and learn lessons and vanquish foes, and I still love the way stories can make people feel. I believe stories hold great power, and it’s both a blessing and an honor to get to create them.

I’ve been writing for almost fifteen years now, and I’ve treasured every moment of it. And now, I’m treasuring the chance to share my writing with you!

If you haven’t already, you can find my writing in many places:

  • My blog (with reflections on life and what I’m learning, writing tips, and announcements)
  • This page, to read some of my shorter works (such as short stories, flash fiction, and poetry)
  • Right here, to join my email list and receive some special gifts (like exclusive novelettes, ‘Quotes’ lists, and first announcements concerning my writing projects)
  • Over yonder, to explore my longer, published works (novels!)

And if for any reason you want to contact me, come on over here! I’d love to meet you! Feel free to shoot me a message with any questions, comments, reviews or opinions on my writing, or requests for blog content. I look forward to hearing from you!

Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love endures forever.
(Psalm 136:1 NIV)

My family’s Teddy Bear, Jedi
(Can you tell we’re Star Wars fans?)
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