Age: 25
Author
Whether it’s a business or community involvement, what inspires you?
What really inspires me is the support I get. Without support from the ones I love, I would never have made it this far by publishing my first novel.
What aspirations do you have for yourself?
My aspirations are to tell my story, influence people that come across my work, and to expand my own mind. It makes me feel warm that people do enjoy my story. When I get messages from friends, family, and peers across social media telling me that my book has inspired them to come up with stories of their own, I feel like I am doing something right. I have many artists I looked up to since I was a child, and hearing that people look up to me is what keeps me going. With writing comes learning something new every day. With research comes knowledge, and with knowledge comes broadening your horizons. Hence, my own mind.
What is your favorite way to give back to the community?
My favorite way to give back to the community is to show people that it is important to express yourself and to be creative. Many of my peers say they don’t know how to be creative, but I say otherwise. Every human is unique in any way, shape, or form. Those who haven’t unlocked their inner creativity just haven’t found it yet.
What is your favorite thing about the Ocala area?
I have lived in Ocala for almost twenty years. My favorite thing about Ocala is I always feel at home here. It amazes me how much this city has thrived in the last ten to fifteen years. I’m always seeing new businesses form, and downtown Ocala becoming more of a lively area like Gainesville. It excites me when I see new musical acts around the area as well. With the success of bands like A Day To Remember and Wage War, I always wonder who might be the next big band to come from this small town.
