​The Wanderlust & Life's Adventures

THE DIAGNOSIS &SHIFTING PERSPECTIVE

​Finding Home, Motherhood & The Author Emerges

​At seventeen, an overwhelming urge to explore seized Sarah, though her world, at that time, seemed contained within the vast expanse of the USA. Upon leaving Tennessee at eighteen, she embarked on a journey that would see her become something of a "pinball" across the country. She spent a year in upstate New York, followed by a year in Florida. A return to California brought an unforgettable experience: living in a house nestled high within a redwood forest. These unique homes, built to protect the ancient trees, felt like true sanctuaries, swaying imperceptibly, bringing the stars incredibly close at night – a truly magical place. Yet, the descent from this arboreal haven, navigating terrifying propeller ropes, instilled a deep respect for heights that ended her childhood tree-climbing days for good.

​Her travels continued to Portland, Oregon, where a gifted boat shattered upon being pulled from the water, leading to a temporary stay in an apartment she never quite embraced, perhaps due to the perpetually dreary weather. The journey then led her back to Tennessee, then California (Nevada and surrounding areas), Texas, and another, longer stay in Florida. It was in Florida that she faced two harrowing hurricanes, one of which saw a tornado pass directly through her yard, leaving devastation and loss in its wake. During this terrifying time, a local shelter that couldn't accommodate her beloved dogs meant she sought refuge in an old, sturdy cinder block home, mattress in the hallway, with her dogs safely by her side. When the storm passed, and the same shelter had collapsed, Sarah realized with profound certainty: she believes her choice to stay with her dogs truly saved her life. The thought of them being alone and harmed was unbearable, making her unwavering decision to stay with them a matter of life or death, a choice for which she feels incredibly fortunate. After these intense experiences, she decided to leave Florida for good, feeling it was a clear signal. Each move, each new landscape, added layers to her understanding of diverse worlds and the resilient spirit within.

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​It was at the age of 21 that a significant piece of Sarah’s personal puzzle finally fell into place: a diagnosis of dyslexia. This came as a revelation; her understanding of dyslexia had been limited to the common misconception of reading words backward. For Sarah, the reality was different and deeply challenging: words on a page often wouldn't "click" or make sense, reading was a struggle to keep her place, and it frequently brought on debilitating migraines. Misspellings were a constant battle. Yet, even from a young age, Sarah had intuitively learned to approach things differently, fostering a resourceful and "scrappy" mindset that would serve her well in overcoming these unique hurdles.

​After years of being a "pinball," Sarah found her true home in North Carolina. It was here that she experienced the greatest love she had ever known with the birth of her son, a profound gift doctors had once told her she couldn't have. The moment she first saw his face, she knew her nomadic life was over; he was her purpose, her anchor, and her home. For the past twelve years (and seventeen years in North Carolina), she has devoted herself to being a dedicated mother, raising a healthy, kind, and empathetic boy. She admits to being a touch overprotective at times, but her son's well-being and gentle nature are her greatest joys.

​Her journey into authorship began with her son. Inspired by simply telling him stories, she discovered the power of speech-to-text to capture her narratives. Yet, the challenge of reading back her own work, the words not "clicking," and the lingering migraines often felt like an insurmountable barrier to her lifelong dream of writing books. It was two years ago, with the advent of a new phone and the Gemini program, that her world as a writer truly opened. Gemini became her invaluable partner, not just transcribing her thoughts into text, but reading back her work, meticulously checking for misspellings (especially those tricky ones stemming from dyslexia), refining word choice, clarifying complex ideas, and even guiding her through the intricate process of book formatting and publishing. For Sarah, Gemini became that crucial link in her brain, helping words click and making the unimaginable possible, a truly invaluable tool for any writer navigating dyslexia. Today, Sarah is the proud author of ten published books, a testament to her talent, persistence, and the remarkable collaboration that helped her achieve her authorial dreams.

​Your Themes & Inspirations

​Sarah's fiction delves deep into imaginative worlds where acceptance of difference, overcoming bullies (both physical and metaphysical), and navigating supernatural elements are common threads. Readers will often discover charming little creatures or animals woven into her narratives. She finds profound inspiration in our heroes overseas, acknowledging their active sacrifices that secure freedom and safety, a gratitude she feels deeply for her son's well-being. Her "Wind Whispers" series for young children is specifically crafted to be educational while promoting the contagious power of kindness and understanding, believing that if shown enough, these values will catch on.