Alita Christianson
A young author with big dreams 

Throughout my early childhood, I would require my dad to play barbies with me. At the time, barbies were the only way for my stories to come life as I wouldn't learn to write until I was six. With a clear vision of the game in mind, I'd give my dad strict instructions on what his character was to say and do. If he tried to alter the script in any way, I'd make immediate corrections. However, learning to write changed everything! In fact, it shook up my world so much I remember the very first novel sentence I wrote; "The pink cat walks down the road" beneath the appropriate picture I drew on the work sheet. Suddenly, I wielded the power to create universes at the tip of my pencil. To think: worlds that were completely of my own invention, creating characters who felt, lived and breathed! Since then, my love for writing only grew. I wrote my first children's book, "Spy Girls", when I was eight years old on Story Bird, as a part of a school project. Although I wasn't a fan of typing, so I'd staple half folded papers together and continued to write children's books for my younger sister, Makena.

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In Fourth grade I wrote a mini series I called "Makena the Great: the Unicorn Guardian" for her and one inspired by my pet ball python Bennder called, "How Many Snakes Does it take to ride a Bike?". Oftentimes I'd have an idea for a novel and start it in one of my journals but never finished them, one of which was sixteen chapters long. After writing the first chapter of any intended novel, I'd always have my dad read it and give his feedback. Usually he'd answer "It's pretty good kid, for your age." It was the "for your age" part, that absolutely had me enraged and stirred up my competitive side. One day, I thought, one day I'll write something that is so undeniably great, that there'll be no "for your age" attached. My writing will simply be great across all bounds and one day, I'll be published.

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Five years later, with encouragement from my friends and peers, I'd finally published my first book. A book that my family and friends agree is good, not only in it writing mechanics but most importantly, in its plot line. Not just "good for my age" but legitimately good. I'm aware that I still have a long way to go; and that I'll never be completely satisfied with my writing of "The Place Between Nowhere". The good news is that I have plenty of time and ideas to continue develop my writing style. Thank you for taking the first major step with me into this exciting new chapter of my author career.