rebelling against low expectations
Lies are tricky things. They’re often disguised to us as truths or half-truths. Other times, they can be easy to call out as false. Some of the most sneaky lies I’ve seen myself believe recently all had one miserable catalyst … pain. When our feelings and emotions take a front row seat, lies rejoice. Pain has been a part of my daily life as I fight through a pain disorder that causes my nerves to...
I saved this quote on my phone ages ago and the other day I stumbled across it once again. “If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend?” It got me thinking about the importance of self-love and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I write about this often because it is something that I...
Once there was a girl who was very good at hiding. She loved to play hide-and-go-seek when she was younger, always ready to crouch under the table or peek out from behind curtains. But as the years passed, she became an expert on hiding something else. Something far more valuable. She hid her heart. Every joy, every fear, every thought was hidden in a locked closet — and nobody got to peek inside...
Politicians are people, too Politicians are people, too. It’s something I’ve said many times, but sometimes you can know things without really knowing them. Since the 2016 election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and especially with Trump’s eventual presidency, political arguments have greatly heightened. It’s not abnormal to hear people saying they “hate” a politician or think they’re...
Dear Reader, As followers and believers in Christ, we know that we’re called to do hard things, especially those of us who read this blog. We know that doing hard things means stepping out in faith and stepping up for faith. We know that doing hard things means having faith and enduring when things get hard. Sometimes, though, enduring is easier said than done. Most of the time, really...
Today is the due date of my little brother. The brother I will never see, never laugh with, never embrace. He was swept into heaven before I could know what his perfectly-formed face looked like. The only thing I ever got to do with my little brother was love him. And I did. From the moment I discovered a new addition was entering our family, I loved him. My heart swelled with excitement, and I...
“Submit manuscript.” One of the most terrifying moments in my life—and yet one of the most fulfilling—was when I hit that button and officially submitted the final manuscript of my first chapter book to the self-publishing company. After 10 years, my dream was coming true. Back when I decided that I wanted to become one of the youngest published authors in the world, I could have never foreseen...
The world loves to talk about the struggle for authenticity. As many teens (and adults) will recognize, we constantly encounter messages in mainstream culture such as “be yourself!” and “let them know how you feel!” They’re tempting when they present the opportunity to lay down our wearily-built facades and “live and let live.” Before I became a Christian, I lived like this — throwing...
Have you taken the WriterScore yet? We released the WriterScore to help young people measure their growth and development as writers. It’s an assessment that gives you a numerical score — which translates into one of four categories. You’re either a Dreamer, a Starter, a Planner, or an Achiever. A lot of thought and nuance went into the actual scoring system. It’s not just a vanity...
I’ve dreamed of writing a book for as long as I can remember, but I never thought it was actually possible. Teens like me don’t get published. Until they do. Because I did. And not because I’m special (seriously, not at all!). It’s because, after writing for several years, I became aware of the strategy for success. I found a community and a mentor, worked as hard as I could, and it eventually...
rebelling against low expectations
