From Broadway to Babies to Books

As it is for most authors, my journey into writing was far from linear. I first ventured into the art when I was twelve; an obsession with Emily Rodda's Deltora Quest fantasy series sparked an inspiration to write my own book. It was a fan-fiction at best—but I fell in love with the process. However, this budding interest was quickly squandered when my ancient computer encountered an untimely, violent death (it stubbornly refused to turn on), and all my work was gone.

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Discouraged by its loss, I found myself drawn to other art forms—and ones that couldn't be so easily deleted from a hard drive. Performance and theatre called to me, and before I knew it, I had been accepted to NYU's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Throughout my time there, I had amazing opportunities, performing off-Broadway at St. Marks Theatre and at Radio City Music Hall in front of thousands. But something was still... missing.

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Itching for a change, I took a complete detour and entered a career in nursing. I believed this departure from art might be the answer I subconsciously sought to find my life's purpose. Little did I know, nursing was an art form all in its own—especially caring and advocating for the tiny, fragile babies of the neonatal intensive care unit. But then the pandemic hit, and all the health professions experienced the harsh reality of a society that never truly appreciated us or our own sacrifices. Coupled with my new identity as a mother to two sweet girls, I needed something else—something for me.

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Writing found me again. Initially, it was a scene here and there. Then, a character arc. Then, a detailed plot. Then, an entire book. And now, three total manuscripts. It was the piece of me I'd missed for so long—ever since that first fan-fiction so many years ago.

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Now, I'm ready to share my work with the world. I want to give back the very thing that has gifted me such purpose and joy.

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I hope my books may help you find a little purpose and joy, too.

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xo,

Maria