)I started writing by hand on yellow legal pads and any other paper I could get my hands on when I was six (back in 1987).
I wrote about animal pen pals (Catie Catipillar and Suzy Skworl) and my pets, of which my family typically had many.
In the sixth grade, inspired by Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, my writing took a darker turn from family pets and cute little critters to scary stories.
I still wrote by hand a lot and have the notebooks to prove it.
I wrote throughout elementary school, middle school, and into high school, only taking a break here and there to focus on my studies or boyfriends.
After graduating from high school, I started working a dreaded day job, and the writing sort of fell by the wayside.
Responsibilities of adulthood, the search for a suitable mate, figuring out what I wanted to do with my life—Lord knows I didn’t want to grow up—took priority.
It was a panicky era of my life, that fraying rope-bridge between teenager-ship and becoming a an adult.
I attended The Art Institute of Seattle to get a degree in Animation Art and Design—another form of storytelling. It was a fun and challenging time rife with creativity.
I took a creative writing class as an elective (I know, electives… in art school…) and it completely rekindled my passion for writing.
Because of that, I dropped out so I could get back to my true passion: writing.
Five years later, I wrote a book and am launching this author-helping-authors side to my creative business!
As of 2022, I have published five books (four fiction and one non-fiction).
Not only do I write in my spare time, I also manage all the tasks required to run my author business.
I believe anyone can write if they have a strong enough desire to tell their story, and if they have the tools to show up and just get it done.
If I ever grow up, that is… (let’s hope not!)
In 2021, I learned about book coaching on one of the many podcasts I listen to.
I thought, “I’m a project manager. I’m an author. I love to inspire and help other writers… I should be a book coach!”
Then, while developing a digital course for authors, I pivoted. Why be JUST a book coach when I can offer so much more to my authorly colleagues?
So, Author Coach it is.
Look, I know I’m not for everyone.
I tell weird jokes.
I say weird things.
I’m not “socially acceptable” at times (I’m an introverted extrovert, so, yeah… you have to drag me out of the house and, once I’m out, you have to drag me back in).
If you’ve read anything here or on this site that doesn’t resonate with you, that you find offensive (not on purpose, I promise), or you just don’t like, I won’t be upset if you decide we’re not a good fit.
It would be a disservice to both of us to try to pretend we can be bestest friends.
BUT, if you have read my book, listened to the podcast, downloaded any freebies, read every page on this site, met me somewhere, heard me speak, read an interview, heard a podcast… and you decide you’d like to work with me, or get my newsletter, or take my courses, or interact in anyway, I’d love to have you join the Toucan fam!
If you’ve been perusing the site, listening to the podcast, downloading the free resources, or have a general question about You Can, Toucan!…
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