Crystal Flower
Timeline
Age 1
This is me at age one.
Wasn’t I a cutie?
Photo: G.L.Larsen
My first Creative Exposures
I have to take a moment from the very start to thank my parents.
I loved being with my dad so much so that my excitement would bubble out into hopping and skipping as I walked side by side with him.
My mother had me cutting out the squares for my 1st quilt before I was in kindergarten. By 1st grade, I had sewed my first dress. She put in the zipper, but was so proud of me. I loved being creative with her.
1st Attempt at Writing a Story
After six plus hours of plunking away on a manual typewriter and only getting a page and half done, I gave up and forgot all about writing.
But the things that you are truly designed to do will always resurface.
I am very thankful for the invention of computers.
Highschool Graduation
My plan was to go off to New York and create my own fashion line.
I kind of did that, sort of.
I didn’t go to New York, but I started designing lots of clothes, costumes, pillows, bedding, then furniture. I just kept going and going.
Photo: Richard’s
How I realized I loved telling stories
Self discoveries usually come at unexpected moments.
On a long cross-country road trip smooshed into a car and out of desperation to entertain an eight-year-old girl, I made up a story.
It’s what happened a month later that shocked me and helped to set my course towards storytelling.
Quiet enough to Hear my Heart
The morning after I left the apparel industry, I went for a long run. I had no idea what I was going to do next. I just knew that this was the next step for me.
I ran and ran until it turned into a walk. Piece by piece, my mind and my heart got quiet and that’s when I heard it. This unmistakable knowing and feeling to write stories that could change how people think.
Once again, writing is what my heart was yelling.
Performance & Commercial Acting
Somewhere between the happy-go-lucky skipping girl and now, I got really, really shy, almost paralyzed in social situations.
So – I thought I would try modeling and acting.
Thank You Caryn International for the great experience.
Photo: Dani Werner Photography
AFA in Creative Writing
I took all sorts of creative writing and theater performance classes.
I fell in love with the idea of creating characters actors would love to become, stories the whole creative team would love to be a part of, and adventures the whole audience would get sucked into and taken away.
Thank You Normandale Community College.
1st Flash Fiction Collection published
"Adventures of the Heart" is self-published in Smashwords
1st Film Project
"A Song Can Change A Life" short documentary film starts filming. I was honored to be Lead Story Consultant & Assistant Director.
I loved it and was so excited to be a part of the Cross Word Film’s team.
1st Flash Fiction Story Published
"Fred" is published in the Scarlet Leaf Review
Car Accident - Brain Injury
I knew something was really wrong when I couldn’t put my words in the correct order to answer the attending police officer.
A few months later I was diagnosed with a severe concussion and brain trauma in addition to all the other physical trauma.
I had already started my studies at Full Sail University so I kept going.
BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment
I had so much fun creating and writing that I never once checked my grades. A fellow student had to tell me that I had received Valedictorian and the prestigious Advanced Achievement Award which only one student from each graduating class receives.
Thank You to Full Sail University and all the wonderful instructors and fellow writers that made each assignment a fun challenge.
My Body said it had enough
Seatbelt injuries, brain injury toxicity, and a mysterious whole body swelling forced me into year plus healing journey.
As I healed I started to work on three websites.
I lost all three websites
I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. Things happen for a reason.
I took some time to check my heart compass and then started writing full time.