I’ve written books that deal with serious issues: teen girl fights, youth suicide, sexual assault and being falsely accused. I’ve produced films that deal with girl fights and teen suicide. As I plan other projects down the road, I see myself producing other materials with equally gripping topics. The focus of my work is not lighthearted and people ask me repeatedly, “Why so serious?” If I were to explain it, it would probably come down to two things: my personal experiences and my audience.
girl fight at school, www.sheknow.com
When I first started writing books, I envisioned young people who looked like me who dealt with the same kinds of issues that I had. I had issues with other girls, I was a teen victim of rape, and so I wrote easily from my well of experiences. I started keeping journals as a pre-teen and so I remained close to what I experienced. I was motivated to give my readers something that I didn’t always have which was a person who knew what I was going through. I’ve met adults who’ve looked at me and have asked, “How could you work with teens?” I’ve looked at them and said, “How could you not?” Teenagers scare people. They intimidate them. But, not me. I relate to them. I’m a champion for them, and so we get along fine. I don’t want to be yet another adult who turns her back on the issues that teenagers face, so I write books and produce films that deal with serious issues. That way, they know that I hear them. They know that they are being heard.
When I started meeting my readers at youth events, book signings, and via email, I became more inspired to share information in the broadest forum possible. For me, that meant books, films, and web series. Teens and their parents began to ask me questions about what they should do when they found themselves in certain situations: “My stepfather raped me, but my mom doesn’t believe me. What should I do?” “My son is being bullied, but the school isn’t doing anything. What should I do?” Though I wrote emails and/or gave people information to help solve their problems, I wanted to share these solutions with the world. I realized that if one person has a question about sexual assault then many more people are probably wondering about the same issues. So, I address serious issues in my work because serious questions are often being asked of me.
Outside of my work, I’m a funny person. I tell daily jokes at home. I love romance books. I watch rom-com movies. I’ve even begun to read various vampire stories. But serious topics are what I feel I should write in connecting with my audience. I believe that I’ve had a lifetime of personal experiences that I should share to help save a person’s life or prevent people from making mistakes that could impact their lives negatively. So, I’m serious and I’m okay with that. I think I use my seriousness in the best possible way–to educate and entertain young minds.
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