Bio | Writer

In 500 words:

I’ve known I’ve been a writer since the fifth grade.

If I could write a letter to my fifth grade self, these are the precious pieces of advice I would give:

Be proud of where you are from. To be in New Orleans is an unhurried, unapologetic constant celebration of life. Enjoy your time at home; you won’t live there forever.  

Make your bed every day. Dad is right on this one.

Enjoy English classes with Mr. Waddington. He’ll be the reason you want to be a writer.   

Be kind to others, especially those bitches in your middle school class. 

In high school, don’t beat yourself up when Mrs. Beckman bloodies your papers with red ink. You’ll just become a better writer.

You’re going to go to a really nice college. Join all the clubs, go to parties, show up to all of your classes, and meet as many people as possible. When you write down all the stories from your experiences, remember to change the names to protect the not so innocent.

When you fall in love, it’s going to be beautiful and magical and more than words can express. Eventually you’re going to get dumped and your heart will break into a million pieces. But I promise you will be okay. One day. It just takes time. Write it out.

Studying abroad will be the best thing that will ever happen to you. Travel on the weekends and be sure to take pictures with you in them!

Host dinner parties. Decorate the table. Make pie crust from scratch. Go all out and ask someone else to clean up. 

Be the kind of person upon whom nothing is lost. Learn is much as you can about everything.  

Never be afraid to introduce yourself. Put your hand out for a handshake and say, “Hi, my name is Emily.” It’s that easy.

Surround yourself with creative people who live passionately and in the most productive and positive ways. These will be your friends forever.  

Invite everyone to everything. Feed people. You’ll think you’re turning in to your mother and you just might be. Embrace it. 

Never write in the first pages of notebooks. Always write things down. Everything. Anything.  

Talk to your parents more. Visit your grandparents. Try really hard not to fight with your brother. You only get one family. You don’t have to always like them, but you’ll always love them.

And most importantly of all – write. Write and write and write. Write it all down, all your thoughts and experiences and imaginings. You are a writer. And this is just the beginning for you. 

6 words:

             If they are free, take two.