Getting my bachelors in my thirties has been interesting. In my twenties, I was absolutely certain that I was going to get an English Degree and be a New York Times Best Seller. But a lot of life experience made me realize that 1) publishing isn’t what it used to be and 2) you have to write because you love it.

Not because you know it’s going to make you millions. Especially over the past three years, Ive had times where I felt as though I couldn’t finish anything and wasn’t sure I was headed in the right direction. Deciding to get my bachelor’s and working with teachers who are professionals in the industry I want to work in, really established my love for creating and storytelling.

While I am majoring in screenwriting and don’t know for sure if I will get to do anything with it, I think storytelling will for sure be part of my life one way or another, whether it’s through art, journalism, or fiction. The internet has changed the way people can tell stories too, and that really excites me. It means there’s more of a chance for creatives to take their art into their own hands. Does it make it harder to get out there? Yes. But it means the things that are loved and out there are loved for a reason.

I also started from scratch. I had written things underneath my real name but in the past year or so, recently decided I wanted to use a penname instead. I’d written a series of web novels in my twenties for websites like Dreame and Radish to make some extra money, and they were definitely ridiculous, as fun as I had writing them at the time. Also, just for personal reasons, there’s less chance I’ll be found using a penname compared to my real name because it is a name that isn’t exactly common. Either way, I am glad I took the time to get some life experience before getting my degree. I’ve worked since I was twenty-one, and its taught me how to deal with people in a way I think I wouldn’t have if I’d had success early on in my life the way I thought I wanted. So, here’s to hoping I get to where I want to, and that eventually it will all be worth it.

With love,

Diana