I have always loved a good story, but in addition to reading and hearing them, I determined at a relatively young age that I also very much enjoyed telling them. A passion for writing throughout my growing-up years led me to be an English major at WWU (which, it turns out, is more heavily focused on reading and analyzing the writings of others than creating my own, but I digress), and over the years I had several wonderful professors who taught me invaluable lessons about writing and language: Write what you know (Gary Wiss), you can write both creatively and truthfully simultaneously (Nancy Semotiuk), be precise with your word choices (Beverly Beem).
After completing my degree, I started working for the then-college in public relations. This position threw me into the communications field head-first and blindfolded; three months after I started we lost a student in an unbelievable tragedy, and I watched administrators and professors weep between phone calls and emails. That was my first big lesson: Even to seasoned communicators, not all messages are easy to share.
My first supervisor in PR, Rosa Jimenez, taught me how to select titles for articles—a trick I still use today. My next boss, Jodi Wagner, pushed me to do better, learn more, and think differently—and that sometimes the best ideas come while you’re in the shower. This was another important lesson: Writing is so much more than putting words on paper (or a screen).
After my years at WWU, I was director of communications for a small non-profit in Washington State, then worked in PR at Andrews University before coming to Pacific Union College for my husband’s job and beginning my freelance career (and a part-time gig in PUC’s music department which I absolutely love).
Last year (2023), a childhood dream I nursed into middle age became a reality: I held in my hands a published book with my name on the cover as editor—a project I never saw coming and a process which I am now absolutely in love with. The book, Pacific Press Publishing Association’s 2024 young adult devotional, was a partnership between the department of youth and young adult ministries at the North American Division, and Pacific Press Publishing Association. It features 12 incredibly thoughtful young adult authors addressing challenging questions, such as: How do I know my ambition is God’s calling? What is the value of church? How do I find my people? How can I make the Bible relevant to my life? How do I see God in a world that seems to be falling apart?
I found myself inspired by their passion, finding hope in their determination to speak truthfully, ask tough questions (and seek answers for themselves), and uphold Christ’s banner of love, no matter the cost.
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to be surrounded by academia—an environment wherein everyone is constantly seeking growth and greater understanding, not only of specific topics, but also of the world, themselves, and others. Though this often makes me feel like the dullest person in the room, it also gives me a sense of joy and hope that our future is not lost; trying to change the world isn’t futile; what I do still matters.
And as I continue to work with and learn from other communicators—both those more experienced than I am, and those who are just starting their careers—I am grateful for the reminder of how important it is to write what you know, be precise with your word choices, and write both creatively and truthfully simultaneously. Some messages may be difficult to share, but writing is so much more than words on paper, and they truly can change the world. They have certainly changed mine.
